The Nicosia District Court has ordered the Republic of Cyprus to pay a record compensation exceeding 2.5 million euros in a medical negligence case involving a birth at Makarios Hospital.
The case centres on doctors’ decision to proceed with natural delivery instead of the indicated caesarean section, resulting in oxygen deprivation that caused brain damage to the newborn. The lawsuit was filed by the child’s parents.
The child, now 12 years old, suffers from intellectual disability, chronic neurological problems, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness, requiring special education.
The court heard that the child will need lifelong occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech therapy, along with permanent care assistance.
The legal proceedings, which began in 2014, concluded with the highest medical negligence compensation ever awarded in Cyprus, surpassing previous records.
This includes a recent case where nearly 2 million euros was awarded to a patient who suffered permanent disability due to surgical delays, and another case resulting in 1.3 million euros compensation for serious health complications.
Whilst the child can manage basic self-care, the substantial compensation reflects the lifetime of specialist care and support required following the perinatal asphyxia caused by medical negligence.