A young girl left with permanent disabilities has won the right to a compensation payout for the injuries she sustained.

Ayesha Canning-Kishver, now 11, was born prematurely in 1997, the BBC reports.

However, eight days later, doctors found the child in a serious condition in the intensive care facilities and she had to be resuscitated in a manner that was described as "aggressive".

In a new development, judges at the high court have ruled that if hospital staff had monitored Ayesha properly, the "drastic falls in the heart and respiratory rates" would have resulted in the child being seen by a doctor much earlier.

As a result of the brain damage she sustained, Ayesha will now receive a payout of £20,000 from Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, as well as a further £30,000 to cover past expenses.

If sub-standard care during pregnancy or birth can be proved to have caused injury or disability, compensation can be sought to cover the costs of care to ensure an improved quality of life and financial security for the lifetime of the child.

Usually, expert medical opinion will be required on the standard of care received and this will be based on clinical examination and the medical records of the mother and baby.