Here at Pryers solicitors in York we have recently been involved with a case involving a child with cerebral palsy. Normally cerebral palsy cases are brought arising from oxygen starvation in the course of a birth but in this case the allegation was that because of the child’s father’s hereditary condition, the child should have had a full blood transfusion immediately after birth. Failure to carry out the transfusion caused the child to develop jaundice and brain damage. The case was eventually conceded by the Defendant NHS Trust and a settlement was agreed at a round table meeting which included a substantial payment in respect of the damages for the brain damage, future care, aids and equipment and loss of earnings. Additionally by the time of the settlement the family had moved to new accommodation allowing a lift to be installed.
Girl with brain damage wins medical negligence compensation
November 10th, 2009
A teenage girl who was left severely disabled after complications during her birth has been awarded medical negligence compensation.
Charlotte Gillespie, of Ramsbottom, now suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and obsessive compulsive disorder as a result of errors made during her delivery, reports the Bury Times.
Her mother Marilyn was made to walk to theatre during the birth and it was the contention of the Gillespie family that Charlotte should have been delivered by Caesarean section.
The family received an undisclosed amount in medical negligence compensation from Bury Health Care NHS Trust over the delivery at Fairfield Hospital in 1996.
Marilyn Gillespie said: "We can now provide her with all the medical care she needs for the rest of her life."
Earlier this month, 11-year-old Grant Hembry was awarded more than £270,000 in medical negligence compensation after blunders during his birth resulted in nerve damage that has left him unable to use his right shoulder, arm and hand. 
£4.5 million payout for boy ‘failed’ by hospital
October 26th, 2009
A 14-year-old boy has been awarded compensation for clinical negligence after a hospital admitted that its failings caused his cerebral palsy.
The unnamed victim was born prematurely at Billinge Hospital, but staff failed to properly administer ventilation, the Manchester Evening News reports.
He is now wheelchair-bound and will need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.
The child’s parents took legal action against Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust and – after an 11-year legal battle – have now been awarded compensation that will allow them to specially adapt their home for their disabled son.
"The trust very much hopes that the compensation monies will provide life-long security and enable the individual to fulfil their potential," a spokesperson for the hospital said.
According to figures published by Scope, approximately one in 400 babies in the UK is born with cerebral palsy every year. This may be caused by a blocked blood vessel, complications in labour, extreme prematurity or illness just after birth.
Woman with cerebral palsy secures compensation for negligence
July 29th, 2009
A woman who was left brain damaged due to errors at her birth has been awarded compensation to cover her long-term care.
Lucy Jones, now 24, was born at the former Princess Margaret Hospital in Swindon in February 1984, the Swindon Advertiser reports.
Although her mother was suffering problems, staff did not make the decision to carry out a Caesarean until 04:15 GMT, by which time Lucy had been starved of oxygen.
A subsequent investigation found that the operation could have been performed by 01:30 GMT in order to make the situation safer for the baby.
Lucy’s family took legal action against the Avon, Gloucester & Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, which has now admitted liability and agreed to pay a seven-figure sum that should pay for Lucy’s care needs for the rest of her life.
According to Scope, approximately one in four children is born with cerebral palsy in the UK.
£1.3m payout for girl with cerebral palsy
July 15th, 2009
A girl who suffers from cerebral palsy after being the victim of what was later described as a "negligent birth" has been awarded a multi-million pound compensation settlement.
Abigail Thomas, now six, was born at St Mary’s Hospital in Portsmouth, but errors by medical staff meant that she was starved of oxygen.
She went on to develop quadriplegic cerebral palsy and now needs constant care to deal with her physical impairments, the Portsmouth News reports.
Through her mother Jacqueline, Abigail sued Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust for clinical negligence. It admitted liability and has now agreed to a compensation settlement of £1.3 million.
This will cover the cost of carers for Abigail, including a night-time helper to relieve her parents.
Nick Block, spokesperson for the NHS trust, said: "We hope that this settlement will provide financial security and help to lift the family’s burden."
According to Scope, there has been a slight increase in the proportion of children who have cerebral palsy in recent years – approximately one in every 400 children is affected.
