Boy starved of oxygen at birth wins £8m in compensation

A boy who was starved of oxygen at birth has been awarded a payout of £8 million, it has emerged.

Owen Johnson sustained brain damage during his delivery at Wordsley Hospital in Dudley in April 1999 and was left with choreoathetoid cerebral palsy - symptoms of which include uncontrolled and involuntary movements, slurred speech, mobility problems and abnormal posture.

During a recent hearing at Birmingham's high court, lawyers successfully argued that an obstetrician was not called to examine signs of foetal distress.

Meanwhile, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust accepted that failures had occurred during the delivery.

The settlement includes a lump sum of £2 million, which will be followed by annual payments.

Commenting on the payout, Owen's mother, Sally Johnson, said: "I am relieved that today's settlement will mean that Owen can be cared for in the way he needs, for the rest of his life."

07/07/2008 16:29