Medical negligence victim wins 5.5 million
A 12 year old boy has been awarded a settlement which totals 5.5 million after it was proved that his disability, which confines him to a wheelchair, was caused by medical negligence at his birth.
It was found that the boy was starved of oxygen during his birth at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Doctors and nurses failed to regularly test oxygen levels in his blood, or act on results from tests. Even when an abnormal heart rate was detected and a decision was made to deliver him urgently, it was a further 49 minutes before action was taken.
As a result, Luke Parsonscorr suffers from cerebal palsy and has a limited level of movement and speech, meaning that he has to rely on a special wheelchair. The compensation which Luke was awarded for the case of medical negligence will be received in one lump sum of £2.1 million and £46,000 per year until the age of 19. As an adult, he will receive £120,000 per year for his care.
Parents Andrew and Gail Parsons said: "Even though we are pleased with the final outcome of this long battle, we will not be celebrating, just concentrating on caring for Luke's future needs.
"Although the money seems a huge amount, it will be needed to give Luke the security and support that he will require for the rest of his life," they added.
Solicitor Helen Niebuhr, an expert in clinical negligence cases who represented the family, said: "Luke is a lovely boy and happily his intellect has not been affected by the brain damage. However, this also means that he is fully aware of, and frustrated by, his limitations. Despite that, he remains cheerful."
A trust spokesman said: "We sincerely hope that the substantial agreed settlement will assist Luke in achieving his potential throughout life, but recognise that no amount of money can fully compensate him."
Updated on 7/27/2008