Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to pay nearly £30 million after baby suffers catastrophic injuries
June 13, 2024
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust will pay nearly £30 million after accepting their negligence led to a baby suffering catastrophic injuries.
In what is believed to be the second largest settlement in a medical negligence claim against the NHS, the Trust admitted breach of duty and causation, which together amount to a full admission of liability.
The award (capitalised at £29.3 million) was approved at the High Court in London this week to be satisfied on a lump sum basis and with annual payments for all care and case management costs. The precise terms of the settlement are the subject of an anonymity order.
Although the baby was born seemingly healthy, shortly after birth there were signs that she was in distress and due to a series of negligent omissions in her post-natal care and ultimately the delay in performing surgery, she sustained catastrophic and life changing injuries in the form of cerebral palsy.
The girl and her family were represented by solicitor Yasmin Ameer from Nockolds Solicitors and barristers Bill Braithwaite KC and Chris Allen from Exchange Chambers.
Commenting on the case, Bill Braithwaite KC said:
“This young girl’s life has changed forever and the impact on the whole family has been devastating. They waited a number of years for Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to admit liability and faced the prospect of a trial at court until we finally reached a settlement. Justice has now been done and they can finally look to the future knowing her lifelong needs are provided for.”
Said Yasmin Ameer:
“This is a hugely important settlement for a young person whose life has been irreversibly damaged. Her whole family have shown such bravery and I pay tribute to them all. It has been an honour to represent them.”
Said Chris Allen:
“It has been a huge privilege to act for the family in this tragic case. They have always conducted themselves with such dignity and resilience in the most challenging of circumstances, and I am truly delighted that we have been able to secure a settlement which ensures all of the claimant’s future needs are provided for. It was also to the claimant’s benefit that we were able to secure over £2.13 million in interim payments to purchase a much more suitable property for the family which enabled the claimant to access a comprehensive rehabilitation package within her own home.”
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