Ashtons Legal helps to obtain compensation for 5 year old Norfolk cerebral palsy sufferer

The High Court in London has today approved a financial settlement which will enable five year old Aiden Oxborrow, who lives near Wymondham, to be cared for appropriately and given the best quality of life that his circumstances allow.  Aiden was born at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds in October 2006 but as a result of serious errors in his mother’s care during labour he suffered brain damage before being delivered by caesarean section.  Aiden now has a range of severe physical and mental disabilities, very limited vision and epilepsy and requires constant supervision and 24 hour care.

In bringing a claim against the West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust on Aiden’s behalf, his parents sought an apology for the mis-management of his mother’s labour and sufficient financial compensation to ensure Aiden’s needs were met throughout his life.  The settlement agreed for Aiden is likely to reach £3 million pounds over the duration of his lifetime, the majority of it being paid on an annual basis to cover his care costs.   An initial lump sum payment will enable the family to prepare for the future including setting up a suitably adapted family home to meet Aiden’s very specific needs.

Aiden has been represented by Sandra Patton, who heads the medical injury team at Ashtons Legal. She explains:

“Aiden’s mother, Deborah, was admitted to the West Suffolk Hospital after a normal pregnancy. Tragically, although her ‘CTG’ monitoring showed abnormalities as early as 11pm, Aiden was not delivered by emergency caesarean section until almost 4.30am by which time he had suffered severe brain damage due to insufficient oxygen.

To compound Aiden’s problems since birth, his mother died suddenly in 2011. His father Rory has given up work to look after Aiden and his younger sister.  This settlement will enable Aiden’s quality of life to be improved as far as is possible in his circumstances and ensure that he can access appropriate care, therapies and specialist equipment throughout his life.

Aiden’s family are pleased that, after admitting liability following issue of proceedings, the Trust provided them with an apology and that they have now been able to agree a settlement without the need for a full trial”.