Woman who had ovary removed settles case against HSE

Karen Lucey tells court she suffered excruciating pain and required further surgeries

A file image of Karen Lucey taken during the hearing. The special needs assistant  from  Killarney, Co Kerry has  settled her High Court action for damages against the HSE. Photograph: Collins
A file image of Karen Lucey taken during the hearing. The special needs assistant from Killarney, Co Kerry has settled her High Court action for damages against the HSE. Photograph: Collins

A woman who had her ovary removed as a protective measure against cancer has settled her action against the HSE over her care.

The terms of settlement were not disclosed.

Karen Lucey told the High Court she suffered excruciating pain and had to return to hospital on several occasions for further surgeries as a result of pain.

Ms Lucey (49), a special needs assistant of Allmans Terrace, Killarney, Co Kerry, had sued the HSE arising from her care.

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Mr Justice Bernard Barton was told liability was admitted in the case and it was before the court for assessment of damages only.

After several days at hearing, the action settled this week on undisclosed terms.

The court previously heard Ms Lucey had the ovary removal day case procedure at Cork University Hospital on November 30th, 2011.

The court was told she was later admitted to Kerry General Hospital on December 18th, 2011 with severe spasmodic abdominal pain.

It was claimed she endured numerous admissions to Kerry General Hospital where she was caused to undergo a number of unnecessary invasive surgical procedures.

On one occasion, she was sent home from the Kerry hospital, suggesting there was nothing wrong with her, it was claimed.

In evidence, she said, while she was at Kerry General Hospital, she was “in agony”. She said she had told a doctor: “If something is not done, I am going to die.”