This is Staffordshire --
A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl who suffered life-changing injuries during her birth at Crewe's Leighton Hospital has won a £3 million payout from the NHS.
The Crewe girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left with cerebral palsy that affects all her limbs after she sustained serious brain damage during her delivery at the hospital in 2003.
The girl's lawyers launched legal action against the NHS trust that runs the hospital, claiming her birth was mis-managed by medical staff.
Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has, however, always denied liability for her injuries and planned a 'full-blooded' defence if the matter went to trial.
But now a senior judge at London's High Court has approved a £3 million lump-sum settlement between the parties, describing it as a 'sensible and pragmatic' compromise that will help realise the girl's potential and ensure she gets the care she needs.
David Heaton QC, representing the girl, said she suffered a horrendous injury that left her unable to speak, with 'cognitive difficulties' and limited use of her limbs, owing to complications during her delivery.
The girl's legal team claimed her debilitating condition was caused by the hospital's failure to deliver her quickly enough when problems arose, Mr Heaton added.
However, lawyers for the NHS trust said indications at the time did not 'mandate a different course' of action and, even if they had, the girl would still have suffered brain damage. Stephen Miller QC, appearing for the trust, said: "This was a case where liability was hotly contested." Reported by This is 48 minutes ago.
A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl who suffered life-changing injuries during her birth at Crewe's Leighton Hospital has won a £3 million payout from the NHS.
The Crewe girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was left with cerebral palsy that affects all her limbs after she sustained serious brain damage during her delivery at the hospital in 2003.
The girl's lawyers launched legal action against the NHS trust that runs the hospital, claiming her birth was mis-managed by medical staff.
Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has, however, always denied liability for her injuries and planned a 'full-blooded' defence if the matter went to trial.
But now a senior judge at London's High Court has approved a £3 million lump-sum settlement between the parties, describing it as a 'sensible and pragmatic' compromise that will help realise the girl's potential and ensure she gets the care she needs.
David Heaton QC, representing the girl, said she suffered a horrendous injury that left her unable to speak, with 'cognitive difficulties' and limited use of her limbs, owing to complications during her delivery.
The girl's legal team claimed her debilitating condition was caused by the hospital's failure to deliver her quickly enough when problems arose, Mr Heaton added.
However, lawyers for the NHS trust said indications at the time did not 'mandate a different course' of action and, even if they had, the girl would still have suffered brain damage. Stephen Miller QC, appearing for the trust, said: "This was a case where liability was hotly contested." Reported by This is 48 minutes ago.