Multi-million pound settlement awarded to clinical negligence victim

Posted 27/06/2010

A multi-million pound settlement has been awarded to a six-year-old girl who was the victim of clinical negligence.

Holly Nixon stopped moving in her mother Emma Nixon’s womb in April 2003 and she was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

However, even after doctors ascertained that the baby’s life was in danger, a Caesarian section was not performed for another 30 minutes.

The child suffered brain damage as a result and went on to develop cerebral palsy, which means she now needs 24-hour care.

Holly’s parents launched a claim for clinical negligence compensation against Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and after a long legal battle, it has now admitted liability and publicly apologised at the High Court.

The trust will pay Holly a lump sum of £2 million, as well as annual remuneration for the rest of her life to cover her long-term care.

This follows a similar case in which six-year-old Kaysie Bland was awarded an undisclosed sum from Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after she also sustained birth injuries.

Cerebral palsy affects around one in 400 children, according to Scope.

Ashtons Legal specialise in claims involving children and are holding a national conference in November on the ways in which these claims can be handled more efficiently to save time and money and reduce the stress involved for all parties.