Model who contracted brain infection that wrecked his memory awarded £5m compensation from NHS
A man whose memory has been wrecked by a brain infection linked to the herpes virus has been awarded £5 million compensation from the NHS.
The model has almost no spontaneous recall of recent events and only fragmented memories of his life before he contracted herpes simplex encephalitis in 2008.
His behavioural problems as a result of the brain infection mean he is difficult to cope with, and tends not to co-operate with those trying to help him.
The man, who cannot be identified because of his vulnerability, also saw his career ruined, said Judge Neil Bidder at the High Court in London.
Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust admitted liability after the man's lawyers claimed he was negligently treated at the Royal Hampshire Hospital.
On Wednesday the judge, who described the impact of the virus as "quite disastrous", approved a settlement involving a £2.5 million lump sum and index-linked tax-free annual payments to cover the cost of lifelong care.
The payments will be increased if early onset dementia develops.