Multimillion-pound payout to brain damaged siblings
Posted: April 14, 2015
Posted in: Birth Injury Head and Brain Injuries Medical Negligence 
Following serious errors in the delivery of brother and sister Natasha and Patrick Jackson by the Sharoe Green Hospital in Preston, an “unprecedented” compensation payout of around £13m has been made. Natasha, 23, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of errors made during her delivery. She has been awarded £7m. Her brother Patrick, 22, received a £6m payout in 2010 for the same condition, also caused by errors at the same hospital. Patrick was diagnosed with the condition aged 18 months. Their mother, Paula McKay described how she was “devastated” to learn of Natasha’s condition shortly after her birth, and that it “ripped her heart out” to learn of Patrick’s condition at 18 months.
Specialised accommodation and care
Ms McKay, from Leyland in Lancashire, brought legal action against the now defunct north West Strategic Health Authority and has fought long and difficult legal battles to win compensation for her children. Both will require specialised accommodation and care for the rest of their lives, and Ms McKay stated her relief that her children would be properly cared for once she has died. The NHS Litigation Authority confirmed that their care would be funded by the compensation.
In an interview, Ms McKay stressed that this was “not a lottery win” and that the money had been budgeted to cover all aspects of their lives and care for their futures. The family’s lawyer, described the situation as “unprecedented” for two children of the same family to suffer brain damage as a result of clinical negligence. The NHS Litigation Authority stated: “compensation has been agreed with the family, which will assist in meeting the claimants’ current and future care needs for life”.
If you have experienced injury as a result of medical negligence, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.
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