Triplets win £850,000 after mother's death

The family of a woman who died after giving birth to triplets has been awarded £850,000 in agreed damages.

Jane England, 30, died a week after Matthew, Harry and Sophie were born by Caesarean section at Southend General Hospital in November 1998.

David Wilby QC told the High Court the events which led to Mrs Martin's death reflected "serial neglect on the part of the hospital".

Her husband Martin England, 39, commented after the case: "How can you put a price on a mum?"

Septic shock

Although the triplets were born four weeks prematurely, all were healthy.

However, staff failed to diagnose Mrs England had a bowel obstruction which then developed into peritonitis.

She failed to come round from anesthetic during surgery, and died from septic shock on 7 December.

The children have been cared for by their father and both sets of grandparents in Benfleet, Essex.

Southend Hospital NHS Trust admitted full liability and agreed to settle the case on the second day of the action on Thursday.

'Huge responsibilities'

Mr Wilby had argued the England family needed the money to compensate Mr England for the loss of his wife, and the triplets for the loss of their mother.

He had said the damages should also reflect Mrs England's suffering in the last week of her life "when she should, in contrast, have been enjoying her newly-born children".

The family also needed domestic help and a larger home, he argued.

Approving the award, Judge Frank Chapman QC said: "Obviously, Mr England has been left with huge responsibilities which he has shouldered extremely well.

"He is to be commended for what he has done."

Speaking afterwards, Mr England, a senior designer with Ford, said: "It's a substantial sum but you can never be happy with replacing the value of a mother."