We took a cerebral palsy
claim on behalf of Leigh who was born with cerebral palsy
because of negligence during her birth. We secured £800,000 as a
lump sum plus annual payments.
Leigh was born on 21 December 1991. While her mother was in
labour she was given syntocinon, a drug used to induce
labour.
The baby became distressed and the syntocinon was correctly
turned off. About 40 minutes later, after full dilation, the fetal
heart reading began to deteriorate, and yet the midwife restarted
the syntocinon.
This increased fetal distress and Leigh was born just over an
hour later by forceps delivery.
Leigh now suffers from quadriplegic dystonic cerebral palsy.
Read about cerebral palsy here
We were instructed to pursue a cerebral
palsy claim on Leigh's behalf. Our expert evidence indicated
that the syntocinon should not have been restarted. If it wasn't,
Leigh would probably have been born about 45 minutes later but
would not have cerebral palsy.
A settlement of £800,000 plus costs was agreed. Leigh will also
receive annual payments of £26,250 until she is 19 and
£60,000 per year after that and for the rest of her life. Leigh
will receive all of the compensation as the costs were paid by the
defendants.
For further information or if you would like to discuss a
cerebral palsy claim call Paul McNeil on
020 7861 4019 or email paul.mcneil@ffw.com
You can also speak to any member of our medical negligence claims team on
freephone 0800 358 3848, email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.