A six year old girl, who a birth injury has seen her cerebral palsy litigation claim result in an interim settlement of £1.6m.
Isabelle Sheehan was born suffering from severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. The girl 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.
Ms Sheehan claim was made by her mother Catherine, who alleged that Dr Corr should have referred her to an expert in foetal medicine when complications started during her pregnancy. Doctor Corr stated that he had made a mistake and Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill heard at the High Court that an interim settlement of £1.6m had been agreed by the parties.
The settlement will cover general damages and loss of future earnings for Isabelle, and is to pay for the care provided already for the child and future care until October 2013. By that date, it is hoped that a system of periodic payments will be introduced for persons with life-changing injuries. Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill stated, however that if the necessary legislation was not enacted by that time, a lump sum payment must be provided.