Praise for Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust in handling £5m settlement for young boy with cerebral palsy

Jonathan Zimmern achieved settlement on behalf of a five-year-old boy left severely disabled after a delay in diagnosing his mother was suffering hyponatremia during his birth at University Hospital Lewisham.

The delay in recognising his mother's increased levels of sodium during labour resulted in baby Henry suffering a global cerebral ischaemia and severe hypoxic encephalopathy. He now lives with four-limb cerebral palsy on the extreme end of the functional classification score and needs 24-hour care, not least for the 50 or more seizures he experiences every day.

Despite this, his parents describe Henry as a very determined young man who, inspite of the daily challenges he faces, is a ray of sunshine and that it is a 'privilege' to be his parents.

Once instructed, Jonathan sought the opinions of an expert obstetrician, a neonatal neurologist and other experts who helped support Henry's case that the Trust did not appropriately manage his mother's labour and his own delivery.

The Trust admitted full liability in relation to Henry's injuries and Judgment was entered with damages to be assessed. Life expectancy was a point of disagreement, but Jonathan and his team eventually concluded negotiation where Henry will receive a lump sum of £5.25m and appropriate periodic payments for care and case management of his needs for life.

Jonathan thanked the Trust for its collaborative approach, for always considering Henry's best interests in their defence and negotiations. At conclusion, the Trust recognised that compensation alone will not make up for Henry's disabilities, but hoped the funds would provide quality of life and a secure financial future.

Contact us

For further information about cerebral palsy claims and other birth injury claims, please call Jonathan Zimmern on 03304606779 or email jonathan.zimmern@fieldfisher.com.

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