A High Court judge has awarded a 10-year-old boy £7.1 million in damages, after medical negligence left him severely brain damaged at birth.

The Daily Mail reports that Harry Snowdon will require 24-hour care for the rest of his life and will never be able to work.

Ruling at the High Court in London, Mr Justice Holroyde praised Harry’s parents, Debra and Michael Snowdon, for their ‘devotion and unflagging energy’.

Harry was described as a ‘handsome, engaging little boy – with a great zest for life’. His lawyer told the court Harry was born by Caesarean section at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on 23 February, 1999 four hours later than he should have been – by which time his brain had been severely deprived of oxygen.

The court awarded a lump sum of £2.3 million and annual payments for the rest of Harry’s life, after Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust admitted liability.

Harry’s mother, Debra Snowdon, said after the hearing:

'We have pursued this claim to ensure that Harry is looked after and taken care of for the rest of his life. We are both relieved that the settlement has eventually been agreed and that we will not have to worry about what will happen to him when we are no longer around.

'We sincerely hope that the health service will start to take note of their mistakes – and instead of paying out millions in negligence claims, ensure that sufficient numbers of suitably trained staff are available to stop these types of accidents occurring in the future.’

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