March 1, 2001 17:04: A GIRL was awarded £2.43 million compensation from Wycombe Hospital for brain damage she sustained while still in her mother's womb.
Catherine Atherton, eight, of Cookham, was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy in February 1993. Her solicitor, Anne Winyard, claims the devastating injuries were sustained after she was stabbed in the head by an amniocentesis needle. The head injuries have left her barely able to walk or communicate and she will need care for the rest of her life.
But despite making the payout, Buckinghamshire Health Authority has not admitted liability
Mr Justice Buckley approved the settlement at London's Royal Courts of Justice on Monday.
He told Catherine's parents: "It is a tragic case where something went seriously wrong.Mr Paul Rees QC, for the authority, said: "No amount of fine words can turn back the clock, but I can provide Mr and Mrs Atherton with my personal apology for what went wrong in 1992."
Mrs Winyard said after the hearing that the family was relieved the litigation was finally over.
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