Disabled child to receive €1.75m over alleged negligence at birth

Interim payment to be made in settlement of action on behalf of Charlie Enright (2)

Catriona Enright, of Raheen, Ballyneety, Co Limerick, arriving at the Four Courts  for a High Court action for damages on behalf of her son, Charlie. File photograph: Collins Courts
Catriona Enright, of Raheen, Ballyneety, Co Limerick, arriving at the Four Courts for a High Court action for damages on behalf of her son, Charlie. File photograph: Collins Courts

A severely disabled child will receive an interim payment of €1.75 million under a settlement of his action alleging negligence at his birth at the Midwestern Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick.

In High Court proceedings on behalf of Charlie Enright (2), Raheen, Ballyneety, Co Limerick, his mother Caitriona sued the HSE in relation to his birth at the Limerick hospital in August 2013.

Approving the interim settlement to meet care needs for the next two years, Mr Justice Anthony Barr said it was a very good one.

A  disabled child will receive an interim payment of €1.75 million under a settlement of his action alleging negligence at his birth at the Midwestern Regional  Hospital in Limerick. File photograph: Google Street View
A disabled child will receive an interim payment of €1.75 million under a settlement of his action alleging negligence at his birth at the Midwestern Regional Hospital in Limerick. File photograph: Google Street View

The boy’s mother was admitted to the hospital on August 19th, 2013, when she was 37 weeks pregnant. A decision was made to induce labour after several tests were carried out.

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It was claimed, in the events that followed, there was failure to provide an appropriate standard of care during the labour and up to the time of Charlie’s birth on August 20th, 2013.

Foetal distress

It was alleged there was a belated recognition of foetal distress and alleged misinterpretation of the CTG tracing.

It was further claimed there was failure to supervise the delivery of the baby, either adequately or at all, and that hyperstimulation was caused by the continued infusion of syntocinon, a drug used to accelerate labour.

The court heard liability had been admitted in the case.

The court was told the baby was “flat” at birth and was transferred to Cork University Hospital for head cooling.

A scan showed evidence of intra-cranial haemorrhage. He was later transferred back to the Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, and discharged home at the end of September 2013.

The case will return to court in two years’ time.