A GIRL from Whitchurch who was left seriously disabled after she was asphyxiated in her mother?s womb has won damages of £2.5-million.
Claire Elizabeth Jury, who is now 12, brought a claim for damages against the South West Peninsula Health Authority in relation to the standard of care she received at the time of her birth at Freedom Fields Hospital in Plymouth in 1992.
It was alleged there were clear and obvious signs that Claire was suffering foetal distress and that she needed to be delivered urgently by emergency caesarean section.
It was further alleged that Claire suffered a period of oxygen deprivation which could have been avoided by an earlier delivery, and as a result she has permanent brain damage.
The parties reached an agreement on liability in October 2003? an 80:20 split in the claimant?s favour ? and on October 18 2004 Mr Justice Eady at the Royal Courts of Justice in London agreed the proposed settlement of £2.5-million.
A statement issued on behalf of her mother, Jacqueline Perkin, by her solicitor Simon Parford, of Wolferstans, said Claire had special needs and would need help on a daily basis for the whole of her life.
?The settlement will secure Claire?s future and will ensure that she achieves her maximum potential and has the best quality of life that is possible,? the statement says.
Claire is a patient of the Court of Protection, which will administer the funds throughout her life.