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Boy wins £5.5m for NHS blunder
A disabled boy who needs round-the-clock care has won £5.5m compensation from the John Radcliffe Hospital after being starved of oxygen at birth.
It is the latest in a line of payouts made by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust totalling £24m in the past two years.
Luke Parsons, from Grove, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering medical complications when he was born. The trust yesterday admitted liability at a High Court hearing in London.
Parents Andrew and Gail Parsons said: "Even though we are pleased with the final outcome of this long battle, we will not be celebrating, just concentrating on caring for Luke's future needs.
"Although the money seems a huge amount, it will be needed to give Luke the security and support that he will require for the rest of his life."
Luke suffered permanent brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen when his mother's labour was delayed. Staff failed to regularly test oxygen levels in his blood, or act on results from tests.
When an abnormal heart rate was detected and a decision was made to deliver him urgently, there was another 49-minute delay.
Luke was not breathing when he was born and had to be resuscitated. Now the 12-year-old has to rely increasingly on a special wheelchair and has limited speech and movement.
Luke, who is expected to live to a normal age, was awarded a lump sum of £2.1m, plus £46,000 a year until he is 19. After that, he will receive £120,000 a year for the rest of his life.
Helen Niebuhr, of Darbys solicitors, who acted on behalf of the family and specialises in clinical negligence cases, said: "Luke is a lovely boy and happily his intellect has not been affected by the brain damage.
"However, this also means that he is fully aware of, and frustrated by, his limitations. Despite that, he remains cheerful."
A trust spokesman said: "We sincerely hope that the substantial agreed settlement will assist Luke in achieving his potential throughout life, but recognise that no amount of money can fully compensate him."
8:25am Thursday 24th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: John Carr, South Oxfordshire on 3:44pm Thu 24 Jul 08
A deserving result for Luke and his parents - but what an indictment against those who are trusted with the ultimate responsibility of `care` to both mother and unborn child
I also have a granddaughter who came into this world (via the JR) after an extremely prolonged labour - and who subsequently suffered CP, Hemiplegia, Epilepsy and in addition, Epsteins Anomaly (an irregular heart condition)
Again - those problems are with her `for life` and she requires constant personal supervision
She is now approaching 11 years of age - and of course the future remains very unscertain - for her and her mother (my daughter)
As to any ongoing enquiry I am not aware of what the current situation might be - but when I heard about Luke`s case - it did make me wonder whether enough is being done in respect of - not only my granddaughter`s case - but posssibly many other similar incidents ?
A concerned (but very proud) Grandfather
A deserving result for Luke and his parents - but what an indictment against those who are trusted with the ultimate responsibility of `care` to both mother and unborn child
I also have a granddaughter who came into this world (via the JR) after an extremely prolonged labour - and who subsequently suffered CP, Hemiplegia, Epilepsy and in addition, Epsteins Anomaly (an irregular heart condition)
Again - those problems are with her `for life` and she requires constant personal supervision
She is now approaching 11 years of age - and of course the future remains very unscertain - for her and her mother (my daughter)
As to any ongoing enquiry I am not aware of what the current situation might be - but when I heard about Luke`s case - it did make me wonder whether enough is being done in respect of - not only my granddaughter`s case - but posssibly many other similar incidents ?
A concerned (but very proud) Grandfather
Posted by: jm, Ladygrove on 6:06pm Thu 24 Jul 08
What a super family the Parsons are!
They thoroughly deserve every Penney and more.
The money is to look after Luke for the rest of his life and I can tell you he has one heck of a family who treat him superbly well.
I'll be raising a glass to the that at long last the financial situation has been eased!!!
Cheeeeeers!
What a super family the Parsons are!
They thoroughly deserve every Penney and more.
The money is to look after Luke for the rest of his life and I can tell you he has one heck of a family who treat him superbly well.
I'll be raising a glass to the that at long last the financial situation has been eased!!!
Cheeeeeers!
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