Boy Brain Damaged at Birth Awarded £8.5 Million
A boy who is disabled as a result of a brain injury suffered at birth has been awarded a settlement in damages worth £8.5 million at the High Court.
Alfie Buck, who is now seven years old, suffered severe brain damage when staff at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath failed to monitor his progress over a 12-hour period during his mother Samantha’s labour. There were complications and he was starved of oxygen. Had he been delivered by Caesarean section just 20 minutes earlier, it is likely that the damage to his brain would have been avoided.
Alfie now has cerebral palsy that affects all his limbs, which means that his mobility is severely restricted. He has to use a wheelchair to move around and a computer that tracks his gaze to communicate.
The Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust admitted liability and apologised to Alfie and his family for the pain and distress its failure has caused. Details of the compensation package were recently agreed at the High Court. Alfie will receive a lump sum of £3.85 million and annual periodical payments for the rest of his life. The settlement will pay for the 24-hour care and specialist housing and equipment he requires.