A young girl, who suffered Cerebral Palsy due to errors by the Royal Berkshire Hospital, due to clinical negligence during birth, has been awarded 20.7 Million in compensation. The girl, who cannot be named due to age, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy. According to her clinical negligence lawyers, who brought the claim forward on her behalf, the hospital missed four chances of delivering her sooner, which would have prevented lifelong injuries.
The chief medical officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Janet Lippett expressed “deep regrets” and advised the trust was “pleased that a settlement has been made” due to the level of care provided that “fell below our usual standard”. Dr Lippett went on to add the institution “wish the family well for the future”.
The 8 year old, who suffered traumatic birth, has an “extremely positive attitude to life” according to her legal representation. Despite being intellectually capable, she suffers from physical disabilities that severely affect her life. As such, care is required for the youngster around the clock. As the child grows older, she is increasingly frustrated by the limitations that will affect her for the rest of her life.
The claimant’s solicitors allege the Hospital did not opt for a caesarean section soon enough, having failed to respond to her hearty rate for hours before birth. This caused irreparable brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
David Balcombe QC, who represented the trust expressed “No amount of financial compensation will ever be sufficient, bearing in mind how (the girl’s) life has been so badly affected, but what we do hope is that the award will provide financial security for her for the rest of her life.” He also offered the Trust’s “unreserved apology”.
The girl’s mother advised this settlement would go towards 24-hour care for her child and this would mean her daughter can “achieve the best possible life and fulfil her great potential”.
Judge Margaret Obi approved the settlement that would provide more than £20 Million over the girl’s lifetime to meet her care and needs. Judge Obi also paid tribute to the family for their devotion and care and wished the family well in the future.
This case highlights the difficulties that may arise during childbirth even at the hands of trained professionals with high standards of care. Unfortunately, a lapse of judgement can not only affect the baby during birth but also severely hamper their ability to leave a “normal” life. This in turn can have implications both financially and emotionally for the families who are left caring for the individual for the rest of their days.
Should you be aware of such an instance, even if you feel this unavoidable, it is important to seek advice in relation to compensation, which can often be a very crucial factor in attaining the best quality of care and life for the people affected.
