Brain Damaged Boy Awarded 3 Million

By Brittany Golledge

Published on November 04, 2005

A high court judge in London has awarded three million in damages to a young boy who suffered brain damage after developing a severe case of jaundice at birth.

The boy was delivered at Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot, Berkshire, England in October of 2003. Shortly after his birth, he developed jaundice, a common condition found in newborns. Jaundice is characterized by discoloration of the skin and eyes, and results from excess bilirubin in the blood.

According to his parents, the boy had been exhibiting symptoms of illness almost immediately after birth. The birth injury lawsuit filed on behalf of the family and the boy alleged that doctors failed to treat the jaundice in time, allowing it to progress to the point where it could cause extensive brain damage.

Representatives of Heatherwood Hospital have denied that doctors were negligent in the care of the young boy, but they have agreed to pay the three million in damages. The boy's parents will share in part of the award as compensation for past medical care expenses.

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