£3.5m payout' over brain damage
A teenager from Northern Ireland who suffered severe brain damage when he was born, has been awarded a compensation claim payout of up to £3.5million.
The teenager was left with cerebral palsy after being starved of oxygen at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald in 1992.
His parents made their medical negligence claim against the former Eastern Health and Social Services Board, alleging the blunder caused his birth personal injury.
After pursuing their case for years, action was due to be heard at the High Court in Belfast. However, negotiations took place and a settlement was reached with the EHSSB’s successor, the regional Health and Social Care Board.
The family’s injury lawyer gave a prediction of what the overall damages were likely to be. He said: “The two figures together are likely to give a total settlement of around £3.5m.
“The boy’s mother and father are absolutely delighted with the outcome. This is a vindication for their 17-year legal battle,” he said.
The settlement is thought to be one of the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland.Updated on 08/03/2010