Disabled Nottinghamshire woman awarded multi-million pound judgment
DISABLED NOTTINGHAMSHIRE WOMAN AWARDED MULTI-MILLION POUND JUDGMENT
A multi-million pound compensation award for disabled 21 year old Nottinghamshire woman Chantelle Peters was approved by the High Court in Nottingham today.
At an earlier court hearing Mrs Susan Miles, a partner in Freeth Cartwright LLP Solicitors who in view of Chantelle’s disability has been apppointed to manage her affairs, successfully claimed compensation for the injuries she had suffered.
The award of compensation resulted from the negligent failure of doctors to ensure that her mother received a rubella vaccination before she became pregnant.
As a result, Chantelle was born with congenital rubella syndrome and is terribly handicapped. She will require intensive and full time care for the rest of her life.
Chantelle’s solicitor Paul Balen, a partner at Freeth Cartwright commented:
“Up to now Chantelle has been looked after at the cost of Nottingham City Council. As a result of the judgment in this case this cost will no longer be borne by the community charge payers of Nottingham. This case established that disabled people in Chantelle’s position are able to claim compensation from the wrongdoer and not have to rely on the local authority.
The compensation awarded today is structured in such a way as to guarantee that lifelong care can be provided to Chantelle. Instead of the traditional award of a lump sum of compensation which would have amounted to over £5m Chantelle will instead receive payments every year of her life which will cover the extremely expensive care that she requires however long she lives.”
At the High Court hearing in Nottingham today the solicitor for the NHS Christian Dingwall told the judge that the NHS was pleased to have negotiated the settlement with Chantelle’s advisers and wished her and her carers all the best for the future.
The Claimant was represented by Nigel Godsmark QC instructed by Paul Balen and Julie Greenwood of Freeth Cartwright LLP.
ends - 25 February 2010
For further information, please contact:
Paul Balen
Freeth Cartwright LLP
Cumberland Court
80 Mount Street
Nottingham NG1 6HH
Tel: 0115 936 9388
(m) 07767673200
Email: paul.balen@freethcartwright.co.uk