Local Weather

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

max temp: 23°C

min temp: 15°C

Five-day forecast

A young boy who suffered catastrophic brain damage as a result of his traumatic birth has won millions of pounds in damages from the NHS.

To send a link to this page to a friend, you must be logged in.

The seven-year-old from Wood Green, who cannot be identified, was left with severe cerebral palsy and very limited movement after he was starved of oxygen during his birth at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, east London.

Today his mother won a settlement at the High Court after Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust admitted complete liability for his injury. She had argued her son’s condition was caused by the negligence of its medical staff.

Mr Justice Globe heard the financial settlement includes a lump sum of £1.6million, followed by annual payments for the rest of the boy’s life.

The payments will provide for round-the-clock care and will start at £136,187, rising to £174,687 when the boy turns 12, and to £263,376 from the age of 19 onwards.

The child’s lawyers told the court he has a mental age of a one-year-old and will remain dependant on others for care for the rest of his life.

Paul Rees QC, speaking on behalf of the trust, offered an “unreserved apology” to the child’s mother, and paid tribute to the care she has given him since his birth.

He added: “She will know that nothing I can say will turn the clock back, but it is absolutely right that she hears an unreserved apology from the defendant.

“She in particular has carried a heavy burden and it is right that a public tribute is paid to what she has done.”

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Globe said: “This is a very sad case and the payments that are going to be made by way of damages can’t possibly fully compensate for the wrong that has been wrought.

“It can but go part way to making life for this child easier, more manageable, and happier than it otherwise would be.”

Get our news, everywhere!

Sign up to our newsletter

Around the Web See all

Wood you believe it? Rescue full of coincidences

A series of “unbelievable” coincidences saw a firefighter named Woods rescue a tree surgeon from Woodland Way in Petts Wood.

Read full story »