A boy who received severe brain damage by a rare complication has settled a clinical negligence claim with The Royal London Hospital.

Matthew Charles Ellerbeck was admitted to the hospital in 1997 suffering from headaches, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting, reports the Newham Recorder.

Following extensive tests, Matthew was suspected of suffering from meningitis. When he was admitted to Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital several days later, he found to be suffering from herpes simplex encephalitis, a condition which leads to the swelling of the brain.

The diagnosis and subsequent treatment came too late and Matthew, who is now 17, was left with motor disabilities, learning difficulties and epilepsy. He is heavily dependent on others.

Through his mother Susan, Matthew sued Barts and the London NHS Trust for clinical negligence.

Recently, West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust was also sued after a boy developed severe dyskinetic cerebral palsy following alleged medical negligence during his birth, according to the Bury Free Press.