Medical errors during birth at Norfolk and Norwich hospital

The mother of a girl left with a disabled left arm as a result of the management of her birth has today finalised the long battle in her claim for compensation. 

Nine year old Skye Barnes was born at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in July 1998.  During the delivery one of Skye's shoulders became stuck, an obstetric emergency known as shoulder dystocia.  It was alleged on Skye's behalf that the staff did not employ the standard manoeuvres to overcome this problem and as a result Skye sustained Erb's Palsy, where the nerves supplying one shoulder, arm and hand become damaged from pulling, often leading to a permanent disability.

At the age of 2 Skye underwent surgery to try to improve the arm and hand function but, although this gave her greater abilities than before she has been left with very restricted use of one arm, meaning that normal every day activities are difficult.

A legal claim for damages was brought and the circumstances of Skye's birth were investigated.  Following negotiations between Skye's solicitor, Stuart Bramley of Tozers LLP in Exeter, and the solicitor for the hospital, an agreement was reached on a monetary settlement.  As is necessary in any legal claim involving a child, the settlement required the approval of the court and this was given today (3 March 2008) at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Commenting on the case, the family's solicitor Stuart Bramley of Tozers said: "Even though Tozers specialises in Erb's Palsy claims, it was particularly gratifying to have obtained this result for Skye and the award of damages will go some way towards helping her lead the fullest possible active life."

Skye's parents Joanne and Paul expressed relief that the long battle is now over and that they can concentrate on giving their daughter the best possible chance in life.  They explained that Skye tries to ignore her disability and vigorously pursues a number of activities such as swimming and horse riding.