May 1, 2012 10.45 am This story is over 141 months old

Girl wins £10.8m in birth injuries compensation

Record settlement: High Court ruled that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust have to pay Milly Evans £10.8 million due to clinical negligence.

An 11-year-old Lincolnshire girl who suffered complicated injuries at birth, which require 24-hour care, has won almost £11 million in compensation.

London High Court ruled that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust have to pay Milly Evans £10.8 million due to clinical negligence.

Milly was born on March 1, 2001 at Lincoln County Hospital. She was transferred to the neonatal ward, where she underwent resuscitation and also suffered a seizure.

Her parents believe that if the midwife had monitored her heart properly before birth, the fetal distress would have been spotted and not led to a complicated birth.

Milly now suffers from verbal palsy, meaning she requires 24-hour care and is confined to a wheelchair.

She is also unable to speak, but her intellect is still intact, so she communicates through various technologies.

United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust admitted liability in March 2010, but contested the damages until the parties reached agreement.

A High Court Judge ordered ULHT pay Milly and her family a lump sum of £5.86 million, with lifelong payments of up to £204,000 per year.

Milly’s father, Andy Evans (45), is a former RAF Red Arrows pilot and left his role to care for his daughter alongside his wife, Kate (41).

The High Court Judge said: “The love and devotion you have shown to Milly with her problems has been enormous.”

Sylvia Knight, director of nursing and patient services at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I offer my unreserved apologies on behalf of the Trust, for the tragic incident in 2001 that has affected the life of Milly and her family.

“Since this incident, we have made many changes to our practice that will help ensure this does not happen again.”

Related Reports: Daily Mail, BBC Lincolnshire, The Guardian