A LUMP sum of £1.8m in damages has been won by a local man who was left paralysed and brain damaged by a speeding driver.

The family of Gavin Lawson, 43, who live near Forty Lane, have spoken of their relief after winning a legal battle for a lifelong package of 24-hour care and rehabilitiation at the High Court on Monday .

The collision happened when Mr Lawson was crossing Forty Lane on March 23 2007. He was hit by a driver travelling at between 45 to 50mph in a 30mph zone.

The former warehouse supervisor spent a year being treated at The Royal London Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital and Willesden Community Hospital after suffering bleeding to the brain, a fractured spine, ribs and pelvis, and broken bones.

After that he was moved to a nursing home, where he was given 24-hour care. He is unable to feed himself, has very limited movement and limited speech.

The pay-out will enable Mr Lawson to move back home with his family.

Mayuk Modessa, of Forty Lane, the driver of the vehicle that hit Mr Lawson, admitted a charge of speeding at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on January 4 20088, receiving a £90 fine, three penalty points and £70 in court fees.

A spokesman for the family lawyer, Irwin Mitchell, said: "Gavin’s family were appalled by the sentence and were told it was unlikely he would ever make any improvement.

"An interim payment secured by lawyers last year was used to pay for support and treatment that has seen Gavin already make a significant improvement. At the High Court in London (on Monday) His Honour Patrick Curran QC approved a multi-million pound settlement with the driver’s insurance company, based on the complex nature of Gavin’s injuries."

On top of the lump sum of £1.8m, Mr Lawson will also receive £180,000 per year for the rest of his life which has been specifically awarded to pay for the carers Gavin will need.

Colin Ettinger, a partner and serious injury expert at Irwin Mitchell represented the family.

He said: “This is a horrendous case that due to the complex issues surrounding Gavin’s injuries has taken some time to resolve.

“The settlement agreed today means Gavin can now move into his own home to live with his dedicated brother and mum and ensures he will have all the support he needs as well as specialist therapists to help him achieve the best quality of life possible.”

Mr Lawson's brother, Scott Lawson, said: “Nothing will ever bring back the life Gavin had before this terrible accident but it is a huge relief knowing he will receive the best possible care for the rest of his life.

“When the driver got away with nothing more than a fine and some points on his licence, we were appalled as he was able to drive again but Gavin’s life was changed forever. It was no justice. Before the accident Gavin was a very caring man, caring for his mum and working in a nearby warehouse to provide for her. We’re pleased that now, with the necessary support, we can return the favour and see him get the care he needs."