Fairfield Hospital pays GBP3.35m for birth injury
26 Jan 2012
A man has received GBP3.35million compensation for a
birth injury.
Adam Spinks, now 25, suffered brain damage, leaving him with
cerebral
palsy.
During his birth at Fairfield Hospital in December 1986, Mr Spinks
was starved of oxygen leaving him severely disabled and in need of
constant care.
Mr Spink's solictors claimed that mistakes made by staff at the
hospital caused delays during his caesarean section delivery.
Although North West Strategic Health Authority have not admitted
full liability for the injuries Mr Spinks sustained, it agreed to a
settlement for 50 per cent of his original claim.
"The past 24 years have been incredibly difficult for the family
and we have some tough times ahead, but to know that we have the
means to be able to support Adam is an immense relief," said his
mother Jacqueline, after the settlement.
She added that she hoped his case would draw attention to the
repercussions of birth injuries and lead to an improvement in the
levels of care for pregnant women.
The North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust yesterday admitted
liability for injuries caused when a child was starved of oxygen
during birth.
It agreed to pay a GBP2.3million in a lump sum payout and further
compensation in increments of up to GBP200,000 a year for the rest
of her life to cover the cost of care.
Staff missed signs during the 11-year-old's birth that the placenta
had become detached.
