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| Brain damaged boy to get pay-out | Brain damaged boy to get pay-out |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A Devon family has won an 11-year legal battle with the NHS after a baby boy was left severely disabled after an operation at Bristol Royal Infirmary. | |
| The boy, who is now 13, suffered serious brain damage after the operation in 1994 to correct his 'hole in the heart' condition. | The boy, who is now 13, suffered serious brain damage after the operation in 1994 to correct his 'hole in the heart' condition. |
| The High Court in London has approved an undisclosed sum in compensation. | The High Court in London has approved an undisclosed sum in compensation. |
| In a statement the family from Sidmouth said: "A settlement that will secure his future has at last been reached." | In a statement the family from Sidmouth said: "A settlement that will secure his future has at last been reached." |
| 'Bristol heart babies' | 'Bristol heart babies' |
| The High Court heard how the youngster was seven months old when the hospital operated on him to treat his congenital heart condition. | The High Court heard how the youngster was seven months old when the hospital operated on him to treat his congenital heart condition. |
| But soon afterwards it was clear he had suffered serious brain damage. | But soon afterwards it was clear he had suffered serious brain damage. |
| In court the family confirmed they had first sought legal advice in 1996 in the wake of adverse publicity surrounding the paediatric cardiac unit at Bristol and began legal proceedings against United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust in 2005. | In court the family confirmed they had first sought legal advice in 1996 in the wake of adverse publicity surrounding the paediatric cardiac unit at Bristol and began legal proceedings against United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust in 2005. |
| We are comforted by the knowledge that when we are no longer able to care for him the financial and emotional burden will not fall on his younger sister Boy's parents | We are comforted by the knowledge that when we are no longer able to care for him the financial and emotional burden will not fall on his younger sister Boy's parents |
| Both parents said their son was one of 300 cases which became known as the 'Bristol heart babies' and the compensation battle was put on hold until the outcome of a public inquiry into the Bristol cases in 2001. | Both parents said their son was one of 300 cases which became known as the 'Bristol heart babies' and the compensation battle was put on hold until the outcome of a public inquiry into the Bristol cases in 2001. |
| They said: "After 11 years of perseverance by ourselves and our legal team our son's avoidable brain injury sustained at the hands of the disgraced cardiac unit at the Bristol Royal Infirmary 13 years ago has finally been recognised by the NHS Litigation Authority." | They said: "After 11 years of perseverance by ourselves and our legal team our son's avoidable brain injury sustained at the hands of the disgraced cardiac unit at the Bristol Royal Infirmary 13 years ago has finally been recognised by the NHS Litigation Authority." |
| Representing the family, lawyer Laurence Vick said: "Just a month before they had prepared themselves to bring their evidence to court, the NHS Litigation Authority agreed to settle and apologised to the family for what happened." | Representing the family, lawyer Laurence Vick said: "Just a month before they had prepared themselves to bring their evidence to court, the NHS Litigation Authority agreed to settle and apologised to the family for what happened." |
| 'Difficult case' | 'Difficult case' |
| The family has also received a full apology from the Trust. | The family has also received a full apology from the Trust. |
| A statement from the NHS Litigation Authority said: "This was a difficult case where the experts involved held different opinions as to the care the child received." | A statement from the NHS Litigation Authority said: "This was a difficult case where the experts involved held different opinions as to the care the child received." |
| A spokesperson added that since 2006 when the families lawyers set out their case, "the claimant was invited to attend a settlement meeting in September 2007 where the parties were able to reach a compromise agreement." | A spokesperson added that since 2006 when the families lawyers set out their case, "the claimant was invited to attend a settlement meeting in September 2007 where the parties were able to reach a compromise agreement." |
| Speaking about their son's compensation deal, the Sidmouth couple said: "We are comforted by the knowledge that when we are no longer able to care for him the financial and emotional burden will not fall on his younger sister." | Speaking about their son's compensation deal, the Sidmouth couple said: "We are comforted by the knowledge that when we are no longer able to care for him the financial and emotional burden will not fall on his younger sister." |
| Compensation settlements for some similar cases have been in seven figures. | Compensation settlements for some similar cases have been in seven figures. |
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