Clinical negligence news
27/10/2010

Clinical negligence compensation over baby's birth

The parents of a nine-month-old boy have received a £15,000 clinical negligence payment on his behalf as the first stage of personal injury compensation damages agreed by Scunthorpe General Hospital where he suffered a brain injury during a forceps delivery.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has admitted a breach of duty of care during the birth which resulted in the baby suffering a skull fracture and damage to his left eye, causing him to become blind.

The family's solicitor has made representations that the child may also have suffered brain damage because of the incorrect use of forceps and this is being investigated by the health authorities.

The hospital has apologised to the family and made a number of changes to its policy and practice to reduce the risk of a similar incidence of birth injury as a result of clinical negligence by its staff.