Joshua Fawcett (17), of Parrock Road, Barrowford, suffered brain damage during delivery at Burnley General Hospital in November, 1990. He has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, has to be fed through a tube, suffers from severe learning difficulties and cannot sit by himself or move independently.

Joshua was awarded the damages at Manchester Civil Justice Centre after an admission of negligence by the North West Strategic Health Authority on behalf of East Lancashire Health Authority. The amount of the settlement cannot be disclosed, but solicitors Irwin Mitchell, who represented Joshua, confirmed the damages and cost of care would top seven figures.

Joshua has been cared for round-the-clock by his mum, Pat (52). Ms Fawcett, originally from Padiham, said she was relived her son would finally be able to enjoy limited independence, but felt she should not have had to fight for 17 years.

"It has been a long struggle due to the changes in Joshua's health over the years, and arguments have been ongoing between statutory services as to whom would fund his care," she said. "I'm happy the compensation awarded will provide my son with the care he deserves for the remainder of his life."

Ms Fawcett hopes Joshua, who has attended Primrose Hill and Ridgewood Community High Schools in Burnley, will be able to go to college and have more of a social life.

She said: "I've had to fight tooth and nail to get the care he needs, and I feel like he's missed out on a lot – he's not even had a holiday, for example – but at least we'll both get some independence from each other now. I want to be Joshua's mum and his friend, not just his nurse."

Joshua's lawyer, Lindsay Wise, said: "Joshua's catastrophic injuries are a result of negligence of the maternity staff at the Burnley General Hospital, and were entirely avoidable."