An young woman has received a settlement of €11m at the High Court as a result of the circumstances surrounding her birth at the Erinville Hospital in Cork.

Margaret is almost 19 years old and is described as “smiley and affectionate”, but she has severe cerebral palsy, requires 24-hour care, cannot walk and is non-verbal.

She was born at the now closed Erinville Hospital in Cork on 1 March 2000. Her mother’s original due date was estimated to be 13 February, but later changed to 19 February.

The court heard Margaret’s mother, Claire, should have been induced earlier. While she was in labour, a monitor showed abnormalities in the foetal heart rate and Mrs Hurley’s blood pressure was described as “through the roof”.

A scan carried out after her birth showed Margaret’s brain had been deprived of oxygen, but her parents were not told this at the time.

The Hurleys said if they had known, they could have brought the case far earlier, and would have been able to access funds for much needed therapies for Margaret.

A settlement of €11m was agreed after mediation, without admission of liability by the Health Service Executive.

Tallaght Solicitors are specialist solicitors in relation to Medical Negligence, so if you have been affected by this issue, please visit our Medical Negligence page.

Source: RTE