Cerebral Palsy caused by delayed birth - multimillion-pound compensation award
Jensen Carter suffers from cerebral palsy caused when his brain was starved of oxygen at birth at the University Hospital of North Durham.
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust has admitted liability for the negligent delay in his delivery in 2003.
The undisclosed sum was awarded at the High Court.
Jensen's condition affects all four of his limbs and also causes communication and feeding problems. His mother Gina said: "This settlement will be essential to give Jensen the care, therapy and equipment he needs to make the best of his life."
A spokesperson for the NHS trust said: "County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust wishes to take this opportunity of apologising again for the injury caused to Jensen and for the distress caused to his family. The trust hopes that the settlement which has been approved will enable Jensen's family to continue to care for Jensen and to meet his needs in the future."
Since 2007, Jensen has attended the Percy Hedley School, a specialist school for children with cerebral palsy, children with hearing or visual impairments and children with speech, language and communication difficulties. In recognition of the help he has received, his mother has set up a fund to enable the school to build a new hydrotherapy pool.
The Tim Carter Appeal - named after Ms Carter's late husband - has already raised £500,000 towards the target of £1.2m.
Top ranked cerebral palsy lawyer Susan Brown from Reading based law firm Boyes Turner said “We act for many children like Jensen who have suffered brain damage as a result of a lack of oxygen around the time of their birth. Compensation awards in these types of cases are now usually paid annually, throughout the lifetime of the child, for care and case management services, with the balance being paid as a lump sum for other needs, such as adapted accommodation and specialist equipment.”
Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.
SEE ALSO
Our people
Our cases
Making a claim
