Girl Awarded £5.6 Million for Severe Brain Damage at Birth
A young girl who suffered brain damage at birth has been awarded £5.6 million in compensation in a High Court settlement.
The girl, now 11 years old, was starved of oxygen at birth. Her mother had a placental abruption, which is where the placenta has come away from the lining of the uterus. Medical staff monitoring the birth failed to pick up on signs that there was a problem and so did not provide the correct treatment quickly enough. The delay caused a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, which caused permanent damage.
The judge described it as a ‘very, very severe case’. The girl suffers from severe mental problems and limited mobility and requires continuous care. She also has a reduced life expectancy.
The Court approved the award of a £2.3 million lump sum plus index-linked periodical payments of £200,000 a year. The settlement will enable the girl’s family to pay for the specially adapted house and the team of carers she requires and give her the best possible quality of life.