£5.1m given to crash girl

A High Court judge has awarded £5.1m to a girl left wheelchair-bound when a car being driven by her nanny was involved in a crash nearly 10 years ago.

Tania Chapman-Fortune, 12, lost the use of her legs and much of the use of her arms in the head-on collision on the A22 Uckfield bypass in East Sussex, in November 1994.

In June 2003, Mr Justice Owen approved the settlement on a provisional basis and the case was adjourned to consider creating a structured settlement to provide Tania with an income for life.

On Wednesday Tania's mother, Judy, returned to the High Court for the final hearing against nanny Carrie Elphick, who was also badly hurt in the crash.

Extensive therapy

A different judge, Mr Justice Pitchers, was told a structured settlement would not generate enough income for Tania because the rates being offered were so low.

He said: "I readily approve the settlement and I specifically approve the rejection of the structured settlement and I wish everybody the best."

Tania was sitting on a child's booster seat and was strapped in as a back seat passenger when the accident happened.

The crash left her needing 24-hour care and extensive therapy and equipment to help her complete everyday tasks.

The damages will be paid for by insurers.

Liability was never an issue in the case and the level of compensation was the only matter which needed to be resolved, the court heard.

About £800,000 will be set aside to buy a new house and for it to be adapted for Tania's needs.