But a separate element covering the child’s predicted “loss of future earnings” is calculated based on their family’s existing income and education levels, meaning more affluent families get more cash.
It believes loss of earnings payments should be capped at three times the average wage, annually – and that “parental education, earnings or wealth should play no part in the assessment of damages awarded to minors”.
Despite agreeing a £5 million compensation settlement, money remains tight for Claire Keer and her son Zach Eagling, 13, who lives with cerebral palsy due to care failings at his birth.
Pay-outs for maternity negligence cost the taxpayer £2.6 billion in 2022/23, the latest figures show, with the total cost of harm, including loss of earnings, valued at £6.6 billion.
“The future loss of earnings component [of the compensation pay-out] feeds into the patient’s quality of life - [and] it’s the groups who are worse off who are probably in greatest need of the financial support.”.
