A 25-yr-old man from Limerick who claimed he suffered a brain injury after contracting meningitis around the time of his birth has settled a High Court case for €9.75 million.
Eoin Danaher, from Raheen in Co Limerick, who has a significant cognitive impairment, attended the Four Courts with his family as the High Court approved the €9.75 million settlement against the HSE, reports Breaking News.
It was alleged in the case that there had been a delay at St Munchin’s Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick in diagnosing and treating a meningitis infection the baby was said to have developed around the time of his birth. All claims were denied.
Eoin’s counsel, Dr John O’Mahony, alongside Cian O’Mahony, told the court it was a tragic case, noting the baby was in good condition when born on August 8th, 2000, reports Breaking News.
Counsel said Eoin’s mother later became concerned about his breathing and noted he had a very weak cry.
It was argued that her concerns were not given appropriate attention, and that meningitis can develop into a serious infection, with the baby in a critical condition two days later, reports Breaking News.
Dr O’Mahony said their case was that the hospital’s response had been too slow, though he acknowledged there was litigation risk, particularly regarding whether earlier intervention would have altered the outcome.
The settlement with the HSE was reached following mediation and does not involve any admission of liability, reports Breaking News.
Eoin Danaher, now 25, from Raheen, Co Limerick, brought the case through his mother Kay Danaher concerning his care at St Munchin’s Regional Maternity Hospital around the time of his birth.
It was stated in proceedings that Baby Eoin was born on August 8th, 2000, in good condition and did not require resuscitation, reports Breaking News.
On his first night, it was claimed his mother remained awake due to concerns that he was wheezing and had a weak cry.
She is said to have raised these concerns with nurses multiple times on August 9th, but no assessment was carried out, and she was reassured about his condition, reports Breaking News.
That evening, she believed her baby was still unwell, as the wheezing persisted and his cry remained weak.
It was claimed that when she again raised concerns with nurses, they were allegedly dismissed, reports Breaking News.
The baby reportedly struggled to feed or respond to a bottle, and in the early hours of August 10th, his mother insisted he be examined by a doctor.
Following the examination, it was claimed the plan was to observe the baby and review his condition later, reports Breaking News.
On the morning of August 10th, when discharge had been anticipated, the mother again raised concerns with a consultant, stating that her baby was unwell and her repeated warnings had not been addressed.
It was observed that the baby’s colour was poor and his breathing was distressed, leading to his transfer to the special care baby unit where he was started on anticonvulsant medication and antibiotics, reports Breaking News.
By the morning of August 11th, Eoin’s family were informed that infection, including possible meningitis, was being investigated, which was later confirmed.
They were also told that his chances of survival were poor, and he remained on a ventilator for five days, reports Breaking News.
It was alleged that there had been a failure to carry out appropriate and timely investigations into why the baby was unsettled and crying excessively during his first night.
It was further claimed that when he was examined in the early hours of August 10th, there was a failure to prioritise infection as a likely diagnosis and to immediately carry out a septic screen and begin intravenous antibiotics, reports Breaking News.
It was alleged that the meningitis infection went untreated and progressed, causing severe injury to Eoin.
As a result, he now lives with lifelong severe disabilities and requires full-time care along with multiple therapies, reports Breaking News.
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