Supreme court rules children in England who suffer serious injuries at birth can claim for future lost earnings
The NHS will have to spend more money settling lawsuits involving negligence during childbirth after a supreme court ruling that lawyers said puts right a “historic injustice”.
The court ruled on Wednesday that children in England who suffer catastrophic injuries while they are being born can claim damages for future earnings they would otherwise have had.
The ruling on “lost years damages” means that children whose life expectancy is shortened can recover compensation for being unable to work.
It comes amid mounting concern at the rising cost of medical negligence to the NHS in England – its liabilities have hit £60bn – much of which is due to errors made during childbirth.
