Geoff | Cerebral Palsy

Geoff was born in December 1991, and his parents were prepared for a home birth.  His Mother's ante-natal care was provided by her GP and the Community Midwife.

When the on-call mid-wife arrived she did not have  the necessary equipment for the delivery and dismissed the patient's request to have her GP present.  An hour into the birth, a second midwife was called with a request to provide oxygen and entonox for the delivery.  A couple of minutes before the delivery the midwife had asked the patient's husband to call an ambulance.  Labour progressed and Geoff was born soon after.

After the delivery the GP was called whilst the midwife was attempting to resuscitate the baby.  The GP arrived within 10 minutes and was followed shortly thereafter by the second on-call midwife.  Further attempts were made to resuscitate Geoff and he was finally taken to hospital by emergency ambulance.

We were instructed shortly after Geoff's birth in 1991, with proceedings issued in 1997.  As a result of the negligence Geoff has sustained cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs with athetosis and spasticity.  His injury is typical of asphyxial injury occurring at the time of birth.  These injuries are permanent and he will require 24-hour-a-day care for the rest of his life.

Compensation was subsequently agreed in the sum of £2,375,000.