Lester Aldridge has secured an eight-figure settlement award for a child who suffered life-long brain injuries following his delayed birth at an obstetric unit in the South West.

The claimant was born in poor condition and developed hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. Over the first year of life, the claimant’s motor development was delayed, and cerebral palsy was diagnosed at 15 months. The claimant’s main difficulties with motor function and speech have impacted schooling and future employment prospects with a risk that the claimant will need wheelchairs to assist with his mobility from age 40 onwards and a need for specially adapted accommodation which has now been purchased for the claimant.

The Hospital Trust eventually conceded liability following denials of any wrongdoing. The claimant’s legal team did not accept the denial of liability. Court proceedings were issued to challenge the Hospital’s position. Lester Aldridge put a team of experts together and was, after perseverance, successful in securing judgment in the claimant’s favour. The large settlement award has recently been approved by a High Court Judge who paid tribute to the dedication of the claimant’s parents in their pursuit of justice.

The key to the success of the claim was due to the experienced team led by Liz Oaten, an accredited clinical negligence specialist with all three national clinical negligence panels (the Law Society, AvMA and APIL), building and instructing nationally respected experts and counsel John de Bono KC, one of the country’s leading clinical negligence barristers.

Photo left to right: Liz Oaten, Helen Clement, Melanie Lidstone-Land & David Healy of Lester Aldridge’s Personal Injury & Medical Negligence team.