Lawyers Help Girl To Secure Lifetime Of Care

17/08/2011

Lawyers from our Sheffield office have helped a girl from South Wales to recover a significant compensation settlement that will guarantee her the round-the-clock care that she needs for the rest of her lifetime.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Clarke, who has severe brain damage caused by medical errors during her birth, has been awarded a compensation settlement equivalent to almost £5 million over her lifetime.

Suzanne Munroe, a clinical negligence solicitor who worked on Sophie’s case, said: “It’s great news that the Clarke family now have access to the funding which will ensure Sophie gets the best possible care and rehabilitation throughout her life. I hope all of the family can now look forward to a brighter future together.”

Sophie was born at Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend. Staff failed to recognise a gross abnormality of her heart rate, which meant she should have been delivered earlier. Instead the birth was allowed to progress naturally and oxygen starvation left Sophie with cerebral palsy.

Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board accepted that Sophie should have been delivered earlier and agreed to pay compensation. The Board maintained however that Sophie’s injuries had already occurred by the time she should have been delivered and that they were not to blame.

Lynne Clarke, Sophie’s mother, said: “It has been an incredibly hard few years for the family, but to know that our daughter will always be looked after is a huge relief for us all.

“While no amount of money will repair the damage done, we now have a chance to move on with our lives and focus all of our energies on Sophie, ensuring that she gets as much out of life as possible.

Suzanne added: “The brain injuries suffered by Sophie mean that she is entirely immobile, will be wheelchair-dependent for life and has to be fed through a gastro tube.

 “The extent and complexity of the problems faced by Sophie mean the funding which has been secured will ensure she can access 24-hour care, and rehabilitation and therapy services that will prove invaluable throughout her day-to-day life.

“It also means that her family can guarantee she has accommodation adapted to meet her everyday needs.

“However, while the settlement is welcome news it is important that the compensation Sophie will now receive from the Trust is not seen as a lottery win. The funds will be carefully managed by Irwin Mitchell's Court of Protection team to ensure Sophie has access to care she will need for the rest of her life.”

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