Severely disabled boy to receive £10.5m compensation from NHS

A boy left severely disabled after complications during his birth at a Swindon hospital will receive £10.5million in NHS compensation over his lifetime.

Now aged 17, his lawyers said he was starved of oxygen when his delivery, by Caesarean section, was delayed at the Great Western Hospital in 2000.

He suffered severe brain damage and, as a result, has serious disabilities and needs round the clock care, London's High Court heard.

Through his father, he sued the Great Western NHS Trust, claiming the delays in his delivery which led to his condition were caused by negligence.

Without admitting liability, the trust agreed today, 13 November to a settlement of the case - the boy will receive 85% of the full value of his claim.

On top of a £4.4million lump sum, the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will receive index-linked and tax-free payments to cover the costs of his care for life.

They will start at £200,000-a-year and will increase to £230,000-a-year after his 19th birthday.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Foskett said it will "go a very long way" to providing for his care needs throughout his life.

Addressing the boy's father, the judge commended the care the boy has been receiving so far.