Man with brain damage gets £2.65m

The family have fought a six-year legal battle

A man has been awarded £2.65m after suffering brain damage during his birth thirty-two years ago.

Adrian Parkes, of Wednesfield, West Midlands, was left with cerebral palsy after problems with the umbilical cord at a hospital in Wolverhampton.

Mr Justice Mitting, sitting at the High Court in Birmingham, made the order after managers at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton accepted partial liability.

The court allowed his parents to bring the case on his behalf so many years on, because he is not able to manage his own affairs.

Adrian Parkes needs constant care

Outside court, Betty Parkes, 61, said: "We are just so pleased for Adrian, he deserves it.

"We knew something was wrong at birth. This has taken a long time, but it has been worth it.

"Adrian is a very loving son and we are a close family.

"But the cost and energy required to care for him over the years has increased to the point where we now need help.

"Today's compensation will mean we can afford to employ help for us and for Adrian."

Forceps delivery

John Parkes, 64, who changed jobs so that he could care for his son said: "We knew something was wrong, but they would not tell us anything. The doctors just keep saying it was one of those things."

Mrs Parkes was undergoing routine tests before a Caesarean on 6 December, 1969, when problems began, which resulted in her waters breaking and then the umbilical cord coming out.

When Adrian was eventually delivered by forceps, there were further delays which led to breathing problems.

The breakdown of the award includes £150,000 for general damages, £400,000 for loss of earnings (past and future), £1,465,000 for care support costs (past and future), £150,000 for aids and equipment, £25,000 for physiotherapy, £100,000 for accommodation and £360,000 interest.

Case resolved

In a statement, Wolverhampton Health Authority said it was pleased the six-year-old case had been resolved "satisfactorily".

The statement continued: "Both parties have carried out extensive investigations in order to conclude this case, which involved treatment provided in 1969.

"The authority members trust that the compensation will now enable Adrian and his devoted family to plan for the future, and wish them well."