Our medical negligence solicitors have secured a £16.45 million compensation settlement for a boy who suffered brain damage after midwifery staff failed to provide him with proper postnatal care.
The boy was born in good condition in 2005 at Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital, before he and his mum were moved to another hospital for post natal care. After noticing her son had problems feeding, she raised concerns with staff that were, unfortunately, ignored until the boy became seriously ill.
After failing to feed properly within the first 24 hours, his blood sugar levels fell dangerously low but were not identified until hospital staff carried out tests following several requests for help.
Soon he was returned to Princess Anne Hospital and placed in intensive care where he was treated for neonatal hypoglycaemia, a very dangerous condition for new born babies caused when a lack of feeding leads to low blood sugar levels.
Sadly, the delay in his treatment means he has been left with neurological injuries, including epilepsy, visual and mobility problems, as well as learning and behavioural issues.
The boy’s family asked Irwin Mitchell for help in seeking compensation and, following a High court hearing, University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust agreed to a settlement of £16.45 million.
This money will help provide care for the rest of the boy’s life, pay for vital equipment and therapies, as well as compensate for the fact he will never be able to obtain full-time employment.
Justine Spencer, one of our specialist medical negligence partners, represented the boy and his family in the case.
Justine said: “My client suffered severe brain damage after delays by midwifery staff in identifying he had problems feeding, leading his blood sugar levels to fall to dangerously low levels.
“The settlement will now fund my client’s care for the rest of his life, enabling him to live as independently as he possibly can.
“I hope that lessons are learned from the mistakes that were made in this case in order to improve patient safety in the future.”
His brain damage is so severe he will require 24 hour assistance and supervision for the rest of his life, as well as a lifelong structured care plan. Despite this, he is expected to live a long life and the settlement is designed to help him enjoy it as much as possible.
Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team will help him and his family to manage the settlement award, which includes a lump sum and annual payments to cover his care needs.
The boy’s mum said: “While the last few years have been extremely hard for us all as a family, we try to lead as normal a life as possible and do the things any family would enjoy.
“However, we feel angry and let down by the level of care that our son received. Despite raising concerns about our son struggling to feed, we felt we were ignored until it was too late.
“While nothing can make up for the failures that led to our son’s condition, we are relieved that he is now guaranteed to receive the lifetime of care he so desperately needs.”
You can contact our medical negligence solicitors for free initial advice if you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence. See our Medical Negligence Claims page for more information or call us on 0808 256 9159 to find out more.
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