Multi Million Euro Settlement Achieved for Young Woman with Cerebral Palsy

Cantillons Solicitors acted on behalf of a young lady named Margaret Hurley from West Cork in relation to a case concerning the care afforded to her in the course of her birth at Erinville Hospital.  Miss Hurley was born on the 1st March 2000 at Erinville Hospital, Cork (this hospital is now closed).  Miss Hurley’s mother was a public patient for her antenatal care and attended routinely for antenatal appointments at the hospital. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was unnecessarily prolonged by 14 days. Further, Miss Hurley’s mother was diagnosed with high blood pressure during the course of her last antenatal visit at the hospital, which was overlooked.

Ultimately, Miss Hurley was born on 1st March 2000, and required extensive resuscitation and neonatology care upon delivery. Sadly in the two weeks following her birth, it became evident by CT brain scan that Miss Hurley had sustained a brain injury during the course of her delivery. Astonishingly, this information was not disclosed to her parents who were oblivious to the fact that their baby had been significantly injured and would require expert care and attention. By 7 months of age, Miss Hurley’s parents became concerned that she was not reaching her milestones, and as a result she was referred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital for investigations. It was then she was she diagnosed with cerebral palsy and this was the first time her parents became aware of her condition (however, they were still unaware as to the cause of her condition). Miss Hurley has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (gross motor function classification system – level 5), severe speech and language impairment, feeding difficulties, cognitive difficulties and epilepsy.  She is PEG fed, doubly incontinent and non-verbal.  She resides at home with her devoted parents, and three younger siblings.  She is entirely dependent upon the assistance of others for her every need.  Miss Hurley will require specialist 24-hour care, 365 days a year.  Upon an invitation to mediate from the Defendants, the matter settled for €11,000,000 which will enable Miss Hurley’s parents to purchase the necessary aids, equipment, therapies and private care for her for the rest of her life.

A link to a recent news article in relation to the matter can be found at:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/family-of-girl-with-profound-disabilities-settle-action-for-11m-37744032.html 

Contact Our Birth Injury Claim Solicitors

If you are looking for a Birth Injury Claim Solicitor, please contact Cantillons Solicitors using the contact form below, call us on +353 (0)21 4275673 or email us at info@cantillons.com for more information. Our offices are located at 39 South Mall, Cork. We do, however, represent clients from all over Ireland. Should you be unable to attend our offices, we are more than happy to travel to you, or conduct the meeting on Zoom.

*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.