Negligence settlement will help Jensen Carter's life

Jun 25 2010 by Alastair Craig, The Journal

A CHILD whose difficult birth left him wheelchair bound has won a multi-million pound payout from health chiefs – two years after his father killed himself because he couldn’t cope with his son’s condition.

Six-year-old Jensen Carter – son of former Sunderland goalkeeper Tim Carter – had a difficult birth in October 2003 at the University Hospital of North Durham which left him with cerebral palsy.

In November 2008, the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust admitted liability for their “negligent delay” in Jensen’s delivery.

Trust bossed accepted the use of Syntocinon, a drug used in obstetrics when labour is prolonged, should not have been administered when the baby showed “clear signs of foetal distress”.

Jensen was diagnosed with cerebral palsy which affects all four of his limbs, as well as communication and feeding problems, and he will never be able to support himself financially.

The money will ensure he will have full-time care for the rest of his life.

The seven-figure settlement was agreed in London’s High Court yesterday by Mr Justice Roderick Evans. Jensen will receive a one-off payment followed by annual payments throughout his life.

Two years ago an inquest ruled the youngster’s father committed suicide when the 40-year-old suffered “a difficult time” following Jensen’s birth.

The hearing was told that he hoped for a son who would follow in his footsteps as a professional footballer.

His body was found in bushes in Stretford, Manchester, in June 2008.