A Birmingham woman who suffered brain damage two weeks after she was born at a city hospital has been awarded £4.85 million in damages.

The 32-year-old woman, identified only as Miss O, was born at St Chad's Hospital on June 16, 1973 and sent home with her mother.

But community midwives failed to recognise she was not feeding properly, and Miss O was admitted to Birmingham Children's Hospital on June 27, 1973, where hypernatraemic dehydration was diagnosed.

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A lack of fluid and nutrients led to brain damage and resulted in cerebral palsy. She requires 24-hour care and is incapable of living independently.

Miss O has severe learning difficulties, an unpredictable personality, and has no understanding of money, figures or the concept of danger. She also suffers severe epileptic seizures.

Yesterday's pay-out at Birmingham's High Court will reassure her parents, who gave up work to care for their daughter full-time, that her care will be funded for life.

Last year, the NHS Litigation Authority, representing the former hospital, offered to accept 80 per cent of liability in the case, but this was rejected by the court.

Judgment was entered for Miss O against the defendant with damages to be assessed on May 7 last year, and a trial was due to commence at the High Court yesterday.

But last month an offer was made of either £4.85 million settlement or a smaller lump sum plus an annual indexlinked payment of £117,500 a year.

Tony Hall, partner and head of clinical negligence at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said the settlement would ensure Miss O's long-term care. He said: "This award will enable her parents to take a well-earned rest, as they have been doing this for 33 years."