Mother wins £515k medical negligence claim

A medical negligence claim worth £515,000 has been won by a woman whose son was born with spina bifida, after doctors failed to spot the condition in utero.

Similar to personal injury compensation, the payout reflects the life-changing effects of the birth, as well as covering care costs that will be incurred as a result of the child's condition.

An interim medical negligence claim payment has been made and a judge will now rule on further reparations to be given to the five-year-old's family.

The oversight happened at Bedford hospital and lawyers for the NHS trust acknowledged scans should have shown doctors the infant was suffering from the condition, which occurs when bones in the vertebra fail to fuse properly.

Following the initial trial, a further hearing will be held in 2012, which will take into account the fact the mother would have chosen a termination if she had been made aware of the baby's condition.

Published by Phil Hammond