Interim Settlement of Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy Compensation Approved in Court

by | Nov 20, 2013

A second interim settlement of quadriplegic cerebral palsy compensation has been approved by a High Court judge for a young girl who suffered devastating birth injuries due to the negligence of a paediatric consultant.

Isabelle Sheehan (8) from Mallow in County Cork was born by emergency Caesarean Section at the Bon Secours Maternity Hospital in November 2004, after a blood test on her mother – Catherine – had revealed a dangerous increase in the presence of certain blood group antibodies.

Despite being informed of the higher antibody count, Catherine Sheehan´s paediatric consultant – Dr David Corr – had omitted to refer Catherine to an expert in foetal medicine; who could have identified potential issues with the pregnancy due to a conflict between the antibodies in Catherine´s blood and those of her husband – Colm Sheehan.

Isabelle was born in a poor condition, and was diagnosed with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. Through her mother, Isabelle made a quadriplegic cerebral palsy compensation claim against Dr Corr, who admitted that he had made a mistake by failing to refer Catherine to a specialist when the first interim settlement hearing was heard at the High Court in October 2011.

On that occasion, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill approved an initial settlement of quadriplegic cerebral palsy compensation of €1.9 million, and adjourned Isabelle´s case for two years to allow for the introduction of a structured compensation system.

As a structured compensation system is yet to be introduced, Isabelle´s case was heard again in front of Mr Justice Kevin Cross; who was told that a further interim settlement of quadriplegic cerebral palsy compensation of €635,000 had been agreed to provide Isabelle with the care that she needs for a further two years.

After being told that Isabelle is “bright and intelligent”, and that she was keeping up with children in her mainstream national school class, Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved the second settlement of quadriplegic cerebral palsy compensation, wished Isabelle a very good future and adjourned the case for a further two years.

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