A LITTLE girl who has been left severely disabled as a result of brain damage suffered at birth is in line for a multi-million-pound compensation payout.

Samantha Singleton-Parkes, of Queen Street, Brightlingsea, was born at Colchester General Hospital in 2003. Now eight, Samantha and her family face a lifetime of difficulties because her birth left her with catastrophic brain damage and cerebral palsy.

He mother, Gail Singleton-Parkes, sued Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust on Samantha’s behalf, claiming the injuries were down to negligence. The trust denied liability, but has now agreed to settle the matter by paying Mrs Singleton-Parkes 70 per cent of what she was claiming in the High Court in London.

The exact amount Samantha will get has yet to be decided. It will be based on the estimated cost of Samantha’s future care needs throughout her life and will be announced at a future court hearing.

After the settlement was announced, Mrs Singleton-Parkes said: “I’m happy with the outcome – and I will be even happier when it’s all over. We expect it could take up to a year to settle and I will probably still be in the same state I am now, even then.

“It all happened eight years ago but has dragged on. It’s still very raw.”

The settlement, approved by Judge Nigel Wilkinson QC, will be invested in Samantha’s future care.

Announcing his decision, the judge said: “This was damage done to a healthy child and compensation will be assessed on that basis.”

A spokesman for the trust said: “This is a very tragic case surrounding the management of Samantha and her mother, post-delivery.

“The trust is pleased the issue of liability has been resolved. “The parties will now focus on assessing Samantha’s disabilities to ensure she has funds available to pay for her future needs.

“The trust offers Samantha and her family its very best wishes for the future.”