Cerebral Palsy Client Receives Multi-million Pound Settlement

Aaron Tring was starved of oxygen at birth in Nottingham 26 years ago. As a result he suffers from cerebral palsy and is severely disabled. Malcolm Goff concluded Aaron’s claim for compensation in the High Court this week. The hospital has now acknowledged that errors occurred when Aaron was born. He will now receive compensation that will give his family the reassurance that his complex needs will be provided for throughout his life.

Initially the hospital assured Aaron’s parents that their staff could not have done anything to prevent his severe disability. Then, when we undertook investigations, medical experts agreed that there were delays when Aaron was born. If he had been born a few minutes earlier his brain damage would have been prevented.

Aaron comes from a very close family and is a vital part of that family. Whilst it is very sad to see him so disabled, Aaron’s sense of humour and fun make him rewarding to be with. This is why carers really enjoy their work with Aaron. He needs to be stimulated and relishes going to comedy shows, theme parks and nights out with his family. Aaron also loves going on holiday and being able to use a swimming pool.

Withdrawal of Legal Aid for Clinical Negligence

You may have seen Aaron and his parents on East Midlands Today and may have read about them in the Nottingham Evening Post or The Independent. Aaron’s case highlights the injustice of withdrawal of legal aid for clinical negligence cases. On the day after the High Court had approved Aaron’s compensation award, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced that it was the Government’s intention to withdraw legal aid in cases such as this. It is most unlikely that Aaron would have been able to pursue this matter without the benefit of legal aid. In fact the Legal Services Commission will recoup all of the legal aid payments made on account in this case as the Defendants have been ordered to pay all of Aaron’s legal costs.

The Judge paid tribute to Aaron’s parents and family, who were all at Court to see the case concluded.