£3m award for brain damaged boy

Benjamin suffered brain injuries at the hospital in February 2000

A boy who suffered a cardiac arrest in hospital, after being admitted with breathing problems, has been awarded just over £3m against an NHS trust.

Benjamin Hobson, now eight, of Bexhill in East Sussex, was nearly two when he suffered "significant" brain damage at St George's Hospital, in south London.

The sum was awarded by the High Court against St George's Healthcare NHS Trust, which admitted liability.

Michelle Hobson said the award would secure her son's future financially.

These cases of negligence have got to stop happening Michelle Hobson, mother

"I really hope that this trust and other trusts learn from this because it has got to stop happening.

"These cases of negligence have got to stop happening," she said.

The High Court heard that Benjamin was taken to the London hospital with respiratory problems in February 2000, when an endotracheal tube was inserted to assist his breathing.

However, he suffered a cardiac arrest after the tube became dislodged.

Although he was subsequently resuscitated, he suffered brain damage.

'Stunning' care

Philip Havers QC, for the trust, said it expressed its "very sincere apologies for the breaches of duty which gave rise to Benjamin's disabilities".

He added: "No amount of compensation of course can turn back the clock, but the trust hopes and believes that the sums which they have agreed to pay to Benjamin throughout his lifetime will provide his parents with some modest recompense for the devoted care they have provided to him, and provide Benjamin with what he will need for the future."

The award comprises a lump sum of £1.2m with periodical payments for the rest of Benjamin's life.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Silber paid tribute to his parents, Brent and Michelle Hobson, for their "stunning" care.