£4.8mn damages for birth complications

A teenager who was left disabled at birth has been awarded £4.8m in compensation. There were complications during her birth and she was starved of oxygen. As a result, she now suffers from learning difficulties, epilepsy and physical problems. Had she been delivered earlier by emergency Caesarean, she would have suffered no injury. The health authority denied liability but made the payment on the basis of 80% liability. The mother of the teenager will receive a lump sum of £1.45m and £106,160 per year to cover the costs of her care.