Teenager with cerebral palsy awarded €3m

A 16-year-old girl from Co Wicklow with cerebral palsy has been awarded €3million damages in a High Court approved settlement with the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin.

Emma O'Donnell sued the hospital through her father James Forde, whose efforts to care for his daughter since 2007 were described as "heroic".

Richard Kean SC, counsel for Emma, told High Court President, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, that Mr Forde had given up his job as an oil tanker driver to care for his daughter and had recently returned to work.

The court heard that six hours after her suction birth on June 9th, 1998, Emma developed seizures and turned blue. She developed all the symptoms of cerebral palsy.

Emma now requires assistance with everything and has a significant intellectual disability and very significant behavioural problems.

Mr Kean said he had estimated the case at its very best to be worth €9 million, while the hospital authorities had placed its value on full proof of negligence at €6million.

The hospital had provided a letter of consent to a settlement of €3million with full legal costs.