Payout for Harlow hospital birth mistake

A hospital in Essex has agreed to pay £1.75m compensation to a disabled man born with acute brain damage due to oxygen starvation during labour.

The man, who is in his 20s, has the "mind of a very small child", problems walking and needs constant care, the High Court was told.

Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospital, it was alleged, failed to carry out a Caesarean in time.

Mr Justice Foskett approved the settlement.

James Badenoch QC described his client, who cannot be named, as "delightful but vulnerable".

Through his parents, he sued the Princess Alexandra Hospitals NHS Trust, alleging negligent mismanagement of his delivery.

The NHS Trust's QC, David Westcott, told the court his clients continue to deny liability in relation to X's delivery, but added that the trust "regretted" the tragedy which overshadowed the "joyous" event of his birth.

The settlement was "heavily discounted" to reflect the risks of litigation, he added.

Mr Justice Foskett said he was "entirely content to approve the settlement".