Norfolk hospital to settle birth brain damage compensation claim

Posted 05/11/2009

Ashtons Legal clinical negligence specialist Trefine Maynard looks set to obtain a multi-million pound payout for her client Tahlia Downes. Tahlia, 14, suffered permanent brain damage after being deprived of oxygen during her birth, leaving her with severe physical and mental difficulties.

As reported by the media last week, Tahlia’s mother believes she should have been delivered by Caesarian section and launched a compensation claim against the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Trust on her behalf.

Lawyers from the two parties eventually agreed that Tahlia should receive compensation equal to 70 per cent of the value of her claim and the High Court has now approved the settlement.

The final compensation figure is still to be agreed, but with Tahlia set to need care for the rest of her life, the sum is expected to exceed £2 million.

Last month, Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Trust agreed to settle a compensation claim made by the parents of Shane Barrett, 5, who suffered brain damage during his birth. The payout is expected to be several million pounds.