The High Court has today awarded €5.2 million in damages in the case of a six-year-old child who is severely brain damaged with cerebral palsy.
Amanda Riordan from Blanchardstown, Dublin, brought a case on behalf of her son Leo Conroy, claiming that the Rotunda Hospital had delayed performing a Caesarean section which led to her son being left with catastrophic brain damage.
The hospital had denied the claims and today's settlement was approved without admission of liability.
Opening the case earlier this week Denis McCullough SC, for the child, said Ms Riordan was 21 years of age and on her first pregnancy when she was admitted to the Rotunda on March 20th, 2003. She was just over 36 weeks pregnant at the time.
On her admission by ambulance, Ms Riordan told hospital staff she was in constant pain and it was getting worse, counsel said.
Mr McCullough said Leo was born by Caesarean section in very poor condition. He was born dead and only recovered a heartbeat after seven minutes of life. He suffered very severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, and would never lead an independent life but would rely on others for all his needs.
Mr McCullough claimed the hospital was negligent because it should have delivered the child by Caesarean section earlier as there were clear indications of foetal distress.