QMC error sees £8m payout for Nottingham boy
A seven-year-old boy who was left with "catastrophic" brain damage after his birth will receive £8m compensation.
The youngster, who cannot walk or speak, was left with "profound lifelong" cerebral palsy after doctors at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre mishandled attempts to resuscitate him.
London's High Court heard there were deficiencies in the way medics dealt with the boy's birth in November 2006.
The hospital trust publicly apologised and said changes had since been made.
Mr Justice Lewis said the boy, from Nottingham, had "suffered complications" following his birth after which hospital staff "failed to provide adequate treatment for him".
He said the settlement would meet the boy's lifetime needs.
"There were deficiencies in the way the hospital dealt with the need to resuscitate him," the judge added.
He said the hospital had "since taken steps to correct what went wrong so other families won't be faced with the same difficulties".
Lawyers representing the boy's family said he has acute learning difficulties and needs a team of carers.
The case had reached the High Court after his parents sought approval for a compensation package to be met by the hospital's managers, the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which admitted liability.
The trust's barrister, William Wraight, publicly apologised for the errors.
"There were deficiencies in the provision of resuscitation on that day but these problems have been identified and corrected," he said.
The trust's chief executive Peter Homa added: "Whilst no amount of money can compensate for, nor undo the harm and distress the family have experienced as a result of this tragic case, we hope this settlement provides the family with financial security for the future."
Mr Justice Lewis said he was satisfied the settlement was "just and appropriate" and commended the boy's parents and family for their dedication to his care.