£12 million to parents of boy disabled at birth by medical negligence

Posted: June 17, 2014

Posted in: Birth Injury Medical Negligence 

A seven-year-old boy was awarded a payout of £12 million at London’s High Court on Thursday after he was left severly disabled when doctors failed to recognise his abnormal heartbeat at birth. Toby Hart was born at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton in October 2006, but now requires 24-hour care following failings at birth. He has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, a severe learning disability, and has been registered blind.

Toby was born 25 minutes later than he should have been, and his brain was starved of oxygen as a result. During his birth, his heart rate had slowed radically, but midwives and medical staff failed to “act upon” it. As a result, he was left permanently brain damaged.

All the support they need

His lawyer’s statement read: “(We) have now secured the family a £2 million lump sum to help cover costs of treatments, therapies, specialist equipment and adaptations that they need to their home. Toby will also receive annual payments of up to £490,000 for the rest of his life.”

This payout is believed to be the largest annual payment ever agreed upon. Toby’s parents said that his birth opened their eyes to the lack of support available to parents of babies with birth injuries. They said that the compensation would provide them with all the support they need. They also highlighted the fact that midwifes should receive additional training with regards to these situations.

If you have been affected by medical negligence, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.

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