The family of a teenage boy left seriously disabled when he was starved of oxygen at birth has won £1.5m in compensation.

Mark Taylor, 13, of Peachcroft, Abingdon, was left profoundly disabled and totally dependent on others following his birth at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital in July,1985.

London's High Court heard yesterday that his parents, Marion and David, both 42, have willingly sacrificed everything to devote themselves to his care.

Hospital staff were accused of failing to properly monitor Mark's progress in his mother's womb and failing to detect signs of foetal distress early enough. He could have escaped injury had he been delivered earlier, it was claimed.

The court heard that Oxfordshire Health Authority, which admitted liability for Mark's injuries, had agreed to settle his medical negligence claim for £1.5m.

The authority's counsel, Jane Mishcon, told the court: "The health authority has asked me to express their sincere regret for the tragic events surrounding Mark's birth and also to pay tribute to the outstanding care given to him by his parents over the past 13 years." Mark's counsel, Nicholas Leviseur, replied: "Those are generous words and I am sure they will mean a great deal to Mark's parents." Mark is expected to attend a special school until the age of 19, with his parents, of Hedgemead Avenue, looking after him during the school holidays. A professional care regime will also be needed as he grows older.

£65,000 will be set aside for construction of a hydrotherapy pool at Mark's home, something which Mr Leviseur described as "very close to his parents' heart."

Dr Sian Griffiths, director of public health for Oxfordshire Health Authority, said: "This is a case we knew about some time ago. Mistakes do happen and we do our best to make sure they do not happen again.

"If it is our fault we are always ready to accept the blame and pay compensation, especially to support such a severely disabled child as Mark."

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Penny-Davey said: "I express the hope of the court that the quality of life of both Mark and his parents will continue to improve over the years to come."

The judge paid tribute to the "enormous contribution" Mr and Mrs Taylor have made to making Mark's life as happy and fulfilled as it could possibly be.

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