Little boy left with disabilities after traumatic birth at a Bristol Hospital wins £23 million compensation

A little boy facing life-long disabilities after a traumatic birth at Bristol's St Michael's Hospital, has won an NHS compensation package worth up to £23 million.

After the boy's mother was admitted to the hospital to have the birth induced, her labour proceeded very slowly, London's High Court heard.

Eventually a decision was taken to deliver by emergency caesarean and she was taken to an operating theatre.

But, once there, events took a tragic turn when the baby's head emerged unexpectedly, said barrister, Edward Bishop QC.

The traumatic delivery caused permanent damage to the nerves controlling one of his shoulders and arms. But, it also meant his brain was starved of oxygen resulting in cerebral palsy and other life-long severe disabilities.

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust admitted liability for the boy's birth injuries at an early stage and today agreed to a final settlement.

Together with a lump sum of £5,880,913, he will receive annual payments to cover the costs of his care for as long as he lives.

Those payments will start at £185,000 a year, before rising to £260,000 a year when he reaches the age of 19.

Mr Bishop said the overall, capitalised, value of the settlement was "in the region of £23 million."

Repeating that "unreserved" apology in open court today, the barrister paid tribute to the care lavished on the now six-year-old boy by his parents.