A young man left with permanent brain damage after being knocked down as a child in Poplar has received a £19 million settlement — 15 years after he was injured.

The 23-year-old was struck in East India Dock Road by a driver who was using a bus lane to overtake stationary traffic.

While the driver’s insurance company admitted liability in 2005, three years after the collision, the settlement was approved in a High Court hearing today after after doctors determined the man would need specialist treatment for life.

The money will pay for therapy and support workers, as well as compensate for him being unlikely to ever work again.

“While we are pleased with the outcome of today’s hearing, no amount of money can ever make up for the severe and lifelong injuries my client has suffered,” said the family’s lawyer, Lauren Hurney. “The family would rather not be in this situation at all.”

The collision happened in June 2002, when the man from Tower Hamlets, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was aged seven.

His leg was broken in two places and he suffered internal injuries.

He was rushed to Royal London Hospital, later transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, spending several weeks in a coma before being discharged four months later.

The collision left him with behavioural, mobility, stamina and fatigue problems, as well as dizziness and severe headaches.

“Before the accident my son was doing very well at school, especially in maths and reading, and was sporty,” his father said.

“Obviously it is difficult for me to say how he would be now if the accident had not happened as he was only a child, but there was a very definite change in him when he came out of hospital.

“While the last 15 years have been extremely hard for us all as a family, we try to lead as normal a life as possible and do the things any family would enjoy. However, it can be difficult feeling that your child has not fulfilled their potential because of the actions of someone else.”