Girl (6) settles €8.8m hospital case

A SIX-YEAR-OLD girl who sued over the circumstances of her birth at Waterford Regional Hospital has settled her High Court action for a once-off lump-sum payment of €8.8m.

Martha Gallagher of The Blaskets, Dunmore East, Co Waterford, is visually impaired and cannot see below her nose, the court heard. She also has difficulty with her right-side peripheral vision.

Her mother, Siobhan Gallagher, told the court the family was glad the case was over and wanted the lump-sum settlement, which was negotiated after a day of mediation talks, so they could finally finish with medical assessments for court.

“We place a huge value on a happy household and we want to live our lives and move on,” she told Mr Justice Kevin Cross.

Ms Gallagher was brought to Waterford Regional hospital on June 8, 2011.

It was claimed the mother’s labour progressed throughout the day, but the baby suffered distress which was allegedly not observed or monitored.

Martha, it was claimed, was eventually delivered at 9.16pm having suffered prolonged partial asphyxia during labour.

There was an alleged failure to interpret the signs of foetal distress from early afternoon onwards and an alleged failure to respond appropriately or at all to the abnormal foetal heart rate in the hours prior to delivery.

The claims were denied and the settlement was without admission of liability.

Martha did not walk until she was about three years old. However, the problems with her vision were only diagnosed about one and a half years ago.

Mr Justice Cross approved the settlement.