A YOUNG boy with a serious disability is “looking to the future” after securing a settlement to pay for the specialist care and equipment he will need for the rest of his life.

When Zach Eagling was born in 2011, he was in a poor condition and there were problems and delays in resuscitating him; shortly afterwards he was found to have a brain injury.

Aged three, Zach, now nine, from Liversedge, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder which affects his mobility and cognitive development.

After his diagnosis, Zach’s mum Claire Keer got in touch with local law firm Irwin Mitchell and asked them to investigate the care provided to her son.

Irwin Mitchell contacted Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, who were responsible for Zach’s care.

The NHS Trust did not accept liability for his injuries, but the Trust and Irwin Mitchell agreed a settlement figure which will enable Zach to have care, equipment, therapy, support for his education, IT and the family’s adapted house.

Claire and Zach recently moved into a specially adapted house to meet his needs.

Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust’s Director of Nursing, Ellen Armistead, said: “The settlement will ensure Zachary and his family receive support for all the ongoing care he needs.

“Everyone involved in his continuing care here at CHFT wish them well for the future.”

Rachelle Mahapatra was the medical negligence lawyer who represented Ms Keer and Zach, and said it was an “absolute pleasure” to get to know the pair in recent years.

She said: “They have both shown such courage throughout everything, and Zach is an inspiration to so many others out there who may struggle with daily tasks and face their own challenges.

“I’m so pleased we have reached a settlement in the case, which will make sure that Zach has all the specialist care he needs for the rest of his life and gives Claire some assurance for her son’s future.

“When the time comes, it will also help him to live as independently as possible.”

Over the years Zach has seen a speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, and occupational therapist as part of his care.

He also suffers from epilepsy, and last year raised £20,000 for the Epilepsy Society by walking laps of his garden.

His mother Ms Keer is also campaigning for laws to toughen up on online bullying, has met with Government to discuss its Online Safety Bill, and hopes it will include laws to crackdown on online trolls.

Ms Keer, 38, said: “Zach is my little superstar. He never lets anything stop him from enjoying life and doing what he wants to do, and I couldn’t be more proud of him.

“From his charity activity to the campaign to stop online abuse he really puts his all into everything.

“We’re incredibly grateful for all the support we’ve had from everyone, and thanks to the settlement we are now looking to the future with relief and excitement. I’m so happy that I know Zach will be looked after.”

On the campaign to stop online abuse, she added: “I really hope that this year we see proper action taken to tackle online abuse.

“It’s too easy for people to post things online and get away with it when they would likely never do the same to your face in the street.

“We need to do more to protect each other and build a more respectful culture.”