A six year old girl, who was born with severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, has had an interim settlement of 1.9 million Euros approved in the High Court.
Isabelle Sheehan of Mallow, County Cork, sustained her birth injury due to the acknowledged negligence of Dr David Corr, who was practising privately from Bon Secours Maternity Hospital, Cork, at the time of Isabelle’s birth in November 2004.
Isabelle´s claim was made through her mother Catherine, who claimed that Dr Corr should have referred her to an expert in foetal medicine when complications started during her pregnancy. Dr Corr acknowledged that he had made a mistake and Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill heard at the High Court that an interim settlement of 1.9 million Euros had been agreed between the two parties.
The settlement of 1.3 million Euros is to cover general damages and loss of future earnings for Isabelle, and to pay for the care already provided for the child and future care until October 2013. By October 2013, it is hoped that a system of periodic payments will be introduced for persons with catastrophic injuries. However, Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill stated that if the necessary legislation was not enacted by that time, a lump sum payment would have to be provided.