£7.3m Compensation for Girl who Suffered Brain Injury as a Baby
A 12 year old girl, who suffered a brain injury as a baby, has been awarded compensation that could total £7.3 million.
Danielle Marshall was born at Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire in the summer of 1999. The BBC reports that she was born in good health but was premature and hence transferred to the Special Care Baby Unit at the hospital.
Whilst she was in this unit, she suffered a collapsed lung. This injury caused her to suffer a brain injury that has left her suffering from cerebral palsy. This causes her problems with feeding and speaking. She also uses an electric wheelchair as she is unable to stand or sit unaided.
The East and North Herts NHS Trust admitted to negligence in their treatment of Danielle, in regards to not responding to her condition in a prompt enough manner. The Trust has reportedly sent a letter to the family apologising for the level of care received, and promising that lessons had been learnt from the incident.
Danielle’s family sought compensation from the Trust on her behalf, and it is being reported that the case has just been settled.
A compensation settlement has just been approved at court that will see Danielle receive an up front payment of £2,820,000. This will be added to by annual payments for the rest of her life.
The money will cover the costs of Danielle’s expensive care needs, as well as cover the cost of providing suitable accommodation.
