A girl is to receive a multi-million damages award following a hospital blunder which led to her suffering brain damage.
Olivia Bull, now six, has cerebral palsy which was caused by mismanagement of her ventilator in the days after her birth at Watford General Hospital, in March 2002.
Mr Justice Henriques approved the settlement of her claim against West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which admitted liability at London’s High Court.
Olivia, who lives with her family in Cedars Avenue, Rickmansworth, Herts, is to receive a lump sum of £2.4m along with undisclosed periodic payments for life.
The judge said photos of Olivia were “very, very lovely” and told her mother: “Only a child who has received much loving care could look like that”.
He added: “Olivia has made every possible progress in the circumstances and doubtless she must bring great joy to her mother – she is to be congratulated on all the efforts which have been made thus far and doubtless will be made for many years to come, I wish them both well.”
Counsel for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Bradley Martin, expressed “deep regret” for what had happened and said the incident had been investigated.
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