The High Court has approved an interim settlement of €1.3 million for a four year old girl who was brain damaged at birth.

The girl, through her mother, took a medical negligence* claim against the HSE seeking compensation for personal injuries* that she suffered arising from her birth. It was claimed that the girls mother was given an excessive amount of a drug used to stimulate labour which caused the girl to suffer the brain injury. It was also claimed that there were deficiencies in the delivery of the girl and in the care she received immediately after her birth at Letterkenny General Hospital.

The court was told that the girl suffered cerebral palsy and is severely disabled as a result. The girls mother launched the legal action after she tried to get an explanation for her daughter's condition, but was refused a meeting with medical staff.

The Judge of the High Court said that the interim settlement was a very good settlement for the girl. He said while money would not solve the problems, the absence of it could make things a lot worse.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.