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Teenager Awarded £5 Million for Brain Injury at Birth

Teenager Awarded £5 Million for Brain Injury at Birth

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A teenager has won a seven-figure compensation settlement after she suffered brain damage when medical treatment was delayed following her birth.

Lucie Ross, now 14, was left with four-limb cerebral palsy and a reduced life expectancy as a result of her injuries. During her birth, her head was delivered but her body became stuck for about 10 minutes. Owing to the stresses placed on her body, she required resuscitation by a specialist doctor. The paediatrician was called via an emergency bell, but he was unable to reach the baby for 15 minutes.

According to documents seen in the High Court, the doctor was delayed because the security door into the maternity unit was locked. Had he been able to reach the unit sooner, it is likely that Ms Ross’s injuries would have been avoided.

Ms Ross now has severe cognitive handicaps and is dependent on others 24 hours a day.

Through her mother, she commenced a claim against Bedford Hospital NHS Trust, claiming that her injuries were the result of poor systems and negligence at the hospital.

Although it denied liability, the Trust agreed to pay damages to Ms Ross. These will consist of a lump sum of £1.5 million plus index-linked payments of £126,500 a year, rising to £177,500 a year when she reaches the age of 18. The payments will cover the cost of the around-the-clock care she will require for the rest of her life.

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