After a mistake made during the delivery of baby Laura-Louise at Poole Hospital a six-figure compensation payout has been won by her family.
Laura-Louise was left permanently disabled after her delivery, and at six years of age still can’t feed or dress herself unaided. Damage during the birth resulted in partial paralysis in her right arm, referred to as Erb’s palsy.
Laura-Louise’s mum, Julie-Ann Nash spoke of the anguish it has caused after news that she will receive £100,000 compensation on her 18th birthday.
“It was very traumatic,” she said. “To have a disabled child, to know it was inappropriate manipulation which caused it. It snapped her collarbone straight in half. My child was born in pain.”
For the first year of Laura’s life she could not move her right arm. Laura, who underwent surgery two years ago, has to wear a splint on her arm every night, and has monthly physiotherapy.
The mum-of-two from Bearwood added: “She needs help with washing and dressing and doing her hair. She still has stabilisers on her bike because she’s got no balance. She can’t do what all her friends do and it’s very difficult for her.”
“Laura-Louise is a normal bright bubbly child, but if she can’t do something -anything that involves both arms or both hands – she does become very stressed.”
Husband Simon and Julie-Ann hope that the money will make a difference for Laura-Louise.
Spokesman for Poole Hospital had given “unreserved apologies,” adding: “We hope the settlement will help Laura-Louise to achieve her future plans and aspirations.”
