A boy who suffered brain damage after birth when jaundice went untreated has received £6.75 million in compensation from the NHS.
The boy, who cannot be named, developed cerebral palsy after being sent home by St Helier Hospital, in Carshalton, prior to the results of blood tests being known.
The settlement, which includes £295,000 in annual payments for 24/7 care, was approved by the High Court earlier this week.
The boy will never be able to live independently and has a shortened life expectancy. Brain scans 14 months after birth revealed he had suffered kernicterus, a rare kind of brain damage caused by untreated jaundice in newborn babies.
His mother said: “I knew something was wrong but trusted the professionals. To be told that he suffered a brain injury which could have been avoided was devastating.”
Auriana Griffiths, medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “No amount of money can make up for the severe and lifelong injuries he has suffered.”
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust admitted liability.
Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles, said: “We are deeply sorry that the care provided in 2010 fell below the high standards we would expect and strive for.
“Liability in this case was agreed in 2016 (with interim payments on account of damages in place since then), and the Trust is pleased that the terms of the settlement for (the boy) and his family have now been agreed. We sincerely hope this settlement will meet his ongoing care needs and will provide security for him and his family into the future.
“I would like to assure all of our patients and their relatives that the circumstances of his care have been closely reviewed to ensure that all appropriate lessons have been learned.”
