FED: Celebral palsy compo should out of court: Expert

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2008
FED: Celebral palsy compo should out of court: Expert

Experts say setting up a world-first administrative agency for cerebral palsy sufferers
would relieve families and save millions in litigation costs.

The agency would provide financial help to families of children with severe cerebral
palsy .. regardless of the cause.

It would also put an end to the stream of complicated cases in the courts which try
to determine whether the doctor was at fault .. a point difficult to determine as the
cause of the disability is unknown.

Historically it was believed to be the result of a baby's brain being starved of oxygen
during birth .. but under current thinking most medical experts believe the injury occurs
well before birth.

Professor DAVID SUDDERT says eligibility for compensation should be linked to the severity
of a child's condition.

AAP RTV tam/sw/ibw

KEYWORD: CEREBRAL (SYDNEY)

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