A MOTHER has welcomed a financial settlement for her 11-year-old son after he was tipped from his high-chair when he was just twelve months old.

Jack Cooper, from Ingleby Barwick, was sitting in a cafe at Teesside Business Park, Middlesbrough in March 2005 when his chair was pushed forwards - with him strapped into it - by an autistic child on a school trip.

As a result, he was left deaf after suffering serious head injuries and will need some level of care and support, including specialist treatment, for the rest of his life.

On February 27, the court approved an undisclosed settlement from Middlesbrough Council, which admitted it had failed to control the autistic child at the time.

The Council was responsible for the management of Beverley School, which is a school for children with autistic spectrum disorders.

Jack’s mother, Deborah Patience, 45, said that she hoped the settlement, to cover costs for his ongoing care and access to equipment, will help him get the best out of life.

She added: “I was devastated when I found out about Jack’s head injuries and the fact he had been left with permanent hearing loss. It was a terrifying experience. We were all so worried about him and it has been a very difficult time indeed.

“While Jack’s high chair was pushed under the table and was in a safe position, and I was sitting by his side, I would urge all parents to make sure they check how secure their children are as I know too well how serious head injuries can be.

“Jack is now just getting on with things the best he can but the settlement is a massive relief for us as it means he can get some specialist help with equipment and also some therapies to help him in future.

“This is vital funding which means we can look positively to the future.”

Rebecca Maddock, an expert serious injury lawyer at law firm, Irwin Mitchell, representing Jack, said: “The school overseen by the council could have supervised the autistic child better which may have prevented Jack from being tipped from his chair.

“Jack will be likely to need help for the rest of his life and the settlement is based on expert medical evidence about his potential future needs.”

The 11-year-old now attends a mainstream school, but will need counselling due to his head injury and hearing loss.