Boy Who Was Left Brain Damaged at Birth Awarded Almost £13 Million
The mother of a boy awarded almost £13 million after a catastrophic brain injury at birth has spoken of her anger at the botched delivery that changed his life.
The boy, who is now 11, suffers from cerebral palsy, acute learning difficulties and cannot speak as a result of his bungled birth at the King George Hospital in Ilford.
Despite a slowing of the baby’s heart rate – a sign that the baby is in distress – the midwife refused to get the doctor. The boy’s head was then stuck as he was delivered and the cord was wrapped around his neck, starving him of oxygen.
Speaking after her son, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was awarded £12.939,000 the mother said she will never get over what happened to him.
She said: “I’m still angry to this day about the care he received when he was born. That feeling of pain and frustration will never go away. My son has so much going for him, but I am so sad at what has been taken away from him.
“He has a younger brother and seeing him develop makes me realise what he my first son has lost. I don’t think I will ever get over what happened to him. It is like suffering a bereavement. Even though I haven’t lost a child, I have lost the child that he could have been.
“If he had had the proper care this would never have happened and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust admitted liability for his injuries.
The baby was rushed into intensive care after he was born following a shoulder dystocia in which he was stuck for 10 minutes.
The boy’s mother said: “He was going grey and was transferred to another hospital in the middle of the night. I had to wait for 12 hours, not knowing if my son was okay or not. It was the worst 12 hours of my life.
“My son was on life support and the doctors didn’t hold out much hope for him. But he pulled through against the odds which was unbelievable really. Despite the medical advice I never envisaged him not making it.”
She added: “This settlement will allow me to give my son the best possible life but most importantly will ensure he is cared for if something happens to me. Now it is my job to make sure he has the best life possible. He has a great sense of humour, has a massive personality and loves watching football and going to the cinema. Swimming is his favourite thing in the world. It’s great that he can get so much pleasure from life.”
Angela Nunn, Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, which represents the child, said: “This child suffered catastrophic brain injuries that changed his life forever all through no fault of his own. He will need full time care for the rest of his life and specialist equipment. The settlement will allow him to be cared for for the rest of his life and I hope it gives some solace to his family who have been through so much.”