Background: Proving that it is never too late to seek justice, the family of a young woman with severe cerebral palsy decided to investigate the circumstances of her birth 16 years earlier. With the help of SJP Law, they discovered that her condition was caused by oxygen deprivation at birth. This revelation led to a life-changing compensation claim, pursued over 20 years after her birth.

Legal Battle: After extensive discussions with the NHS trust involved and shortly after initiating court proceedings, the hospital admitted fault for her injuries. The hospital’s chief executive sent a heartfelt letter of apology to the family and accepted the legal claim. However, the journey was far from over.

A New Home: At 18, the young woman moved out of her family home, which was no longer suitable for her needs, to a residential care home. Her family sought to move her to a specially adapted home where she could live with them. This request led to a court hearing, where the family sought interim payments of just over £1 million to fund the move. Despite objections from the defendant, the family prevailed, and the judge ordered the payment.

Adapting to New Needs: To ensure the young woman’s needs were met, disability architects were instructed to find a suitable property. Collaborating with the family, plans were drawn up to adapt and extend the house to cater to all their requirements. The house was purchased with the interim payment, and work began even before the case was concluded.

Settlement and Support: Four years after the case began, a meeting between the legal teams resulted in a settlement without the need for a trial. The case was settled for an overall sum of around £6.2 million, including annual payments of £160,000 to cover the cost of our client’s team of carers. This settlement is believed to be one of the highest achieved in the region.

Ongoing Assistance: SJP Law continue to support the family by administering the awarded damages, acting as trustees, providing investment advice, and offering professional support to the family and the team of carers.

This story highlights the perseverance and dedication of a family seeking justice and a better life for their loved one, proving that it is never too late to make a difference.