A young woman who was left severely brain damaged by a horrific crash, in which her boyfriend was killed, has won over £1 million in compensation at the High Court in London.

Tizzy Ellattaoui, from Hemel Hempstead, was a passenger in a car driven by her boyfriend Neil Sullivan in April 1999. Mr Sullivan lost control of the car on the A418 in Thame, Oxfordshire and crashed.

Ms Ellattaoui aged 32, was just 24 at the time of the accident and working as a hairdresser. She has not spoken a word since she was gravely injured and now needs 24 hours a day care which she receives in a care home near to where her mother lives.

Through her mother, Houria El-Nahas of Highfield, Hemel Hempstead, Ms Ellattaoui sued the estate of Mr Sullivan and the Motor Insurers Bureau, the body which compensates the victims of uninsured drivers.

Ms Ellattaoui’s lawyer, Mr Colin McCaul QC, told the court that her injuries were “catastrophic” and she was “at best, in a minimal consciousness state”.

She was awarded by the court, a lump sum of £750,000 and an index-linked £73,000 a year for the rest of her life. The money will be used to fund her lifelong care.

Mr Justice Maddison, approving the settlement said: “Any action in which a claimant suffers such catastrophic injuries as these is bound to impact on many peoples lives. The principal impact has been felt by her mother. I would express my admiration for the considerable fortitude with which she has coped.”

Mrs El-Nahas said: “My daughter has been taken away form me, and no amount of money will bring her back. You’re child gets injured severely and you’re grieving but there is worse to come – the obstacles are horrific. Not one day goes by that I don’t cry for Tizzy.”

The compensation will be safeguarded by the Court of Protection to ensure it will only be used for Ms Ellattaoui’s care.