£1.3 million damages for sterilised mother
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A mother who gave birth to a disabled baby after a sterilisation operation was today awarded £1.3 million damages.
A mother who gave birth to a disabled baby after a sterilisation operation was today awarded £1.3 million damages.
Gail Taylor was awarded the sum, a record pay-out for "wrongful birth", against Shropshire Health Authority after the High Court sitting at Birmingham County Court was told that her autistic ten-year-old son John suffers from asthma and epilepsy.
In a written judgment, Judge Anthony Nicholl said the award took into account loss of earnings during the pregnancy and the cost of looking after John, who is severely mentally and physically handicapped, for the rest of Mrs Taylor's life.
The award also included compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the negligent operation, the judge said.
The judge added: "Mrs Taylor has had to devote her life to the care of John. Her need to do so is a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the failure to sterilise her and the subsequent birth of a severely handicapped son."
Mrs Taylor, 38, of Telford, Shropshire, told the court last month that she became pregnant seven months after the sterilisation was performed at Oswestry and District Hospital in 1987.
Commenting on the award, Mrs Taylor's solicitor, Richard Follis, said: "Gail has suffered dreadful pain and anxiety due to the failed sterilisation and almost died following John's birth.
"The award reflects the great expense she will have to meet in giving adequate care to a lovely boy whose needs are great and whose life must be made comfortable."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments