Kerstin Parkin is 38 years old and will never walk again. Previously she was one of the best Latin American dancers not only in her country but in the world. She was looking forward to a career of fame and fortune. But because of mistakes in a hospital where she was giving birth, she will never walk or dance again.
She has now received over $20,000,000 compensation and this is the largest amount ever paid out by the U.K. Health Service. Both her and her husband believe that they would rather have her health back again rather than the money but that the compensation paid will make an enormous difference to their life.
The compensation will enable her to pay for changes to her property and the use of all appropriate equipment that she needs. This is largest payment by approximately eight million dollars. Mrs. Parkin is living in an especially adapted house, which meets her needs, and her lawyer believes that this compensation has enabled these changes to be effected appropriately.
In 1996, Mrs. Parkin went to hospital when she was pregnant with her only child. During labor she had a heart attack, which is caused by pre-eclampsia. This is a condition caused by high blood pressure in pregnant women. After her heart attack she suffered serious brain damage. It is believed the hospital staff failed to take simple steps, which would have prevented the damage and the heart team were not able to reach her in time.
Apparently the security code in order to enter the ward was not known by the cardiac team. Although the accident happened in 1996, it was not until 1999 that the accused hospital admitted liability.
