Boy injured at birth wins massive NHS compensation
A little boy who was injured at birth due to a hospital's medical negligence, has won a potentially massive compensation package from the NHS.
The 5 year old boy suffered serious brain damage after his heart stopped beating while he was still in his mother's womb during her labour in June 2004.
Following discovery of the extent of his injury, his mother launched a medical negligence claim against the concerned NHS Trust, seeking the money needed for his 24-hour care needs.
The settlement, approved by top judge at the High Court today, will see the boy receiving 85% of the damages to be assessed.
The exact amount of compensation has not been decided but going by previous cases of similar trend, the award is expected to be a multi-million pound settlement.
"The family is delighted with the outcome that has been formally announced here at court today and are looking forward to moving on with their lives," said the family's injury lawyers.
The medical negligence occurred when midwives tending to the woman on the day of the incident, did not know that the heart rate trace recorded on the machines was infact the mother's, and not the boy's.
It was accepted by the court that, had the boy's birth been brought forward by just 10 minutes, he would not have been injured at all.
Instead, he was born with serious brain damage and now suffers from cerebral palsy. He will be dependent on round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.
Updated on 30/10/2009