The Law Moves Swiftly to Award Birth Injury Boy £1.2 Million

With specialist legal advice, victims of medical negligence can swiftly win compensation to help meet their immediate care needs. In a case which showed how fast the law can move in these circumstances, a seven-year-old boy has been awarded more than £1.2 million in interim damages to tide him over until his case is ready for trial.

The boy suffered severe brain damage during his birth and, after a claim was launched on his behalf, the NHS admitted full liability. As a result of his injury, his social, cognitive and communication abilities are all impaired. Also, he will always be unsteady on his feet and will probably need a wheelchair most of the time.

It is still too early in the boy's life to reach a firm prognosis as to his condition and future care needs. For that reason, the formal assessment of his damages claim will take place in two and a half years' time. However, he needs assistance now and so his legal team took steps to secure an interim payment in order to meet his current care needs.

In awarding interim compensation of £1,230,300, the High Court found that the boy's immediate needs should be met. These include an urgent requirement for a single-storey home for the boy and his family. The payout is a relatively modest proportion of the full value of the claim.