'Delightful' Birth Injuries Girl, 11, Receives Millions

Giving birth is a lot safer than it used to be, but hazards sadly remain. As one case showed, however, children who suffer brain injuries at or around the time of their delivery are often entitled to compensation running into millions of pounds.

The case concerned a girl of 11 who suffered cerebral palsy and learning difficulties due to a negligent delay in her delivery. After proceedings were launched on her behalf, the NHS trust that ran the hospital where she was born admitted that there had been a failure to properly monitor her progress in the womb. It also conceded that, had she been born some time earlier, she would have been uninjured. The trust's chief executive had written a letter of apology to the girl and her parents.

Following negotiations, the trust agreed to a settlement of the case whereby the girl would receive a £6 million lump sum, together with annual index-linked payments to cover the costs of the care she will need. Those payments will start at £117,500 a year, before rising to £148,500 a year when she reaches the age of 19, and will continue for the rest of her life.

In approving the settlement, the High Court described the girl as a delightful child and paid tribute to her parents for all that they had done for her. The settlement will provide the family with financial certainty going forward.