Multimillion-pound compensation for birth delay boy
A six-year-old Wearside boy has been awarded multimillion-pound damages after mistakes at his birth left him severely disabled.
Jensen Carter, from Washington, suffers from cerebral palsy caused when his brain was starved of oxygen at the University Hospital of North Durham.
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust has admitted liability for the negligent delay in 2003.
The undisclosed sum was awarded at the High Court.
Jensen's condition affects all four of his limbs and also causes communication and feeding problems.
His mother Gina said: "This settlement will be essential to give Jensen the care, therapy and equipment he needs to make the best of his life."
She added: "My 10-year-old daughter Sasha has been a rock and is fantastic with Jensen, but families should not have to go through what we have been through."
A spokesperson for the NHS trust said: "County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust wishes to take this opportunity of apologising again for the injury caused to Jensen and for the distress caused to his family.
"The trust hopes that the settlement which has been approved will enable Jensen's family to continue to care for Jensen and to meet his needs in the future."
Since 2007, Jensen has attended the Percy Hedley School, a specialist school for children with cerebral palsy, children with hearing or visual impairments and children with speech, language and communication difficulties.
In recognition of the help he has received, his mother has set up a fund to enable the school to build a new hydrotherapy pool.
The Tim Carter Appeal - named after Ms Carter's late husband - has already raised £500,000 towards the target of £1.2m.