Injury compensation news

Man due millions in compensation for medical negligence

A man who was born with cerebral palsy could be due millions in compensation for medical negligence.

David Hemmingway, 22, of Swansea, could be awarded a large sum of compensation after a judge ruled that North East London Strategic Health Authority, the successor of Redbridge and Waltham Health Authority, should pay the full amount of compensation for his birth injury.

At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Langstaff ruled that staff at Whipps Cross Hospital had acted negligently before his birth.

Mr Hemmingway's mother, Sandra, was due to give birth in February 1984 but on 25th November she complained of contractions, abdominal pain and said that the baby had stopped moving.

Sandra's doctor referred her to hospital but, after several tests were carried out, she was sent back home. After she returned three days later for further tests, doctors feared the baby was at risk from suffering a birth injury and ordered an immediate caesarean.

Mr Hemmingway suffered serious personal injuries caused by clinical negligence and was born with cerebral palsy as well as sight and hearing problems.

Mr Justice Langstaff added that Ms Hemmingway should have remained at hospital following the first set of tests and had the birth of her son brought forward.

The amount of Mr Hemmingway's medical negligence compensation will be assessed at a later date in court.