£4.5m payout for brain injury girl

The damages, made up of a lump sum and annual payments, will provide a more secure financial future for Samantha Singleton-Parkes, who has cerebral palsy, and comfort and reassurance for her mother Gail, London’s High Court heard.

The settlement against Colchester Hospital University Foundation Trust in Essex was approved by Judge Birtles, who was told by David Pittaway QC that Samantha’s family had played a fantastic part in bringing her up.

Solicitor Julian Wilson, of law firm Thompson Smith and Puxon, said later: “In the vast majority of cases medical treatment in this country is carried out very competently.

“However, in Samantha’s case, mistakes were made following her birth which led to a catastrophic brain injury.

“Samantha’s mother’s main concern in this litigation has always been to secure Samantha’s future, and this settlement achieves that.”

Mrs Singleton-Parkes, of Brightlingsea, Essex, said: “I am pleased and relieved that we have finally reached a conclusion.

“Pursuing this claim on Samantha’s behalf has taken years of our lives and has had a profound effect on our family. Although it happened a long time ago and has taken some time to resolve, it is still very raw.

“Samantha’s settlement may seem like a lot but it will all be needed to look after Samantha on a daily basis and to secure her future needs.”

Mrs Singleton-Parkes went on to thank the special care baby unit and the children’s ward at Colchester Hospital for the exceptional care they had given Samantha over the years since her birth in December 2003.

The trust commented: “This is a very tragic case surrounding the management of Samantha and her mother post-delivery.

“The trust is pleased that the claim has been resolved and offers Samantha and her family its very best wishes for the future.

“Colchester University Foundation Trust works hard to ensure that the quality of its healthcare services continues to improve and that lessons are learned after mistakes are made.”