Q Should the government act to contain obstetricians' insurance costs?
In response to your report on the increasing cost of medical insurance premiums payable to the Medical Protection Society, particularly for obstetricians, may I, as a solicitor who acts for children with cerebral palsy, make the following points.
Children (and adults) with cerebral palsy, or brain damage, are not paid 'compensation' unless they can prove fault amounting to negligence on the part of the obstetrician and that such fault caused their cerebral palsy.
Such individuals are frequently severely disabled, both mentally and physically.
Such disabilities mean they are incapable of caring for themselves and are totally dependent on others, usually an ageing parent.
Much of the claim for compensation comes from the cost of care and incidental matters.