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NHS Trust Settles Multi Million Pound Clinical Negligence Claim

Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust has been forced to settle a multi-million pound clinical negligence claim brought by the family of a child with Cerebral Palsy, after he suffered severe injuries shortly after his birth which contributed to his condition.  
 
The Trust has settled the case with the child’s parents, who live in the Wigan borough, which is valued at £4.46 million.
 
The child was born prematurely at Billinge Hospital and required his breathing to be supported with ventilation. This was not administered properly on specific occasions and he suffered ‘hypocarbia’, which is a lack of carbon dioxide in the blood, and subsequently suffered brain damage.
 
He was also administered a morphine overdose, however the Trust denied this caused any damage despite admitting a breach of duty.
 
The failings by the hospital led to the child suffering with Cerebral Palsy. Now a teenager, he is unable to walk and is dependent on a wheel chair and he will always require care and assistance from others for daily living tasks.
 
The family’s solicitor, Louise Griffiths, a Clinical Negligence partner at Stephensons Solicitors LLP in Leigh, said the family wished to remain anonymous but were relieved that this case has now been settled after several years of negotiations.
 
Louise Griffiths said: “This has been a lengthy and drawn out process for the parents and child. NHS Trusts have a responsibility to deliver an acceptable level of care and in most instances, this is the case. However on this occasion the child endured unacceptable standards of care during what was a very critical time in his early life.
 
“The settlement will mean my clients will have the funding to buy and adapt a family home for their child and provide him with life-long care needs, but nothing will ever be able to fully compensate him for the quality of life he should have had.”
 
The parents of the child added: “We would like to express our sincere thanks for all the hard work, dedication and support shown by Louise and all her team through this tough and emotional time.”
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:
About Stephensons
 
Louise Griffiths handles a caseload of substantial clinical negligence cases, many of which are brain injury claims valued in excess of £1million. 
 
She is recognised as a ‘leader in the field of clinical negligence’ according to the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2010 edition and is a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel.
 
Stephensons’ clinical negligence department specialises in recovering compensation for victims of medical accidents. The firm focuses on whole life solutions, seeking results and offering practical support that will help people adapt to what can be a dramatically altered lifestyle.