Woman gets millions in pay-out from NHS hospital
Samantha Gooding, 25, has settled a multi-million damages claim against West Suffolk Hospital
A woman who sustained serious injuries during her birth has received a multi-million pound damage settlement from West Suffolk Hospital.
Samantha Gooding, now 25, from Onehouse, was born effectively stillborn after the umbilical chord tore during delivery.
As a result of her injuries she suffers from cerebral palsy, weakness in both legs and moderate learning difficulties.
Yesterday, she settled the case at the Royal Courts of Justice for a figure of £1.45 million and additional £75,000 inflation-linked annual payments for care for the rest of her life.
Samantha’s lawyer, Trefine Maynard, a partner and medical negligence specialist with Ashton KCJ, said: “It is a case based around the care Samantha’s mother received during labour.
“Our allegation was that they should have picked up on signs that something was not right and induced the birth. If they had delivered quicker there would still have been bleeding but she would have been okay.”
West Suffolk Hospital has already paid some damages to Miss Gooding, which she has used to set up additional care and to buy and adapt a bungalow for herself.
Mrs Maynard said: “Work on the house is just about complete and Sam hopes to move in with her own care team by the end of the year.”
NHS Midlands and East was unavailable for comment.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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