€3.35m awarded over birth injuries

Elaine Sadlier, who sued the Mid Western Health Board on behalf of her son, Geoff Sadlier (24), was awarded €3.35 million after complications with Mr Sadlier's birth at Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital. Photograph: Garrett White/Collins Court

A BRAIN-damaged man has secured a €3.35 million settlement in his action alleging negligence in the circumstances of his birth at Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital.

Geoff Sadlier’s life had been “completely devastated” by the injuries suffered, Mr Justice Vivian Lavan was told.

Through his mother Elaine, Whitehorn Drive, Cathderdavin Heights, Limerick, Mr Sadlier (24), had sued the HSE and a doctor. Negotiations are to take place later between the defendants related to the distribution of liability for the settlement.

Earlier, Denis McCullough SC, for Mr Sadlier, said Geoff’s mother was aged l7 when he was born. It was claimed the defendants failed to act properly on information concerning the wellbeing of the child, including information relating to his foetal heart rate, and had carried out a Caesarean section when it was too late.

Mr McCullough said Mr Sadlier was born brain damaged and in fairly poor condition at Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital on April 27th, 1985. He had been diagnosed with asphyxiation at birth, had a motor dysfunction on his right side and mild cerebral palsy which affected his right arm and legs. He also had cognitive difficulties. While Mr Sadlier was in the mild category of cerebral palsy and was not as seriously damaged as other children, that did not mean his life had not been completely devastated, counsel said.

Counsel outlined that Mr Sadlier had gone to school in Limerick until he was 19 and also finished a four-year training and development course. He was attending a rehabilitation centre and could speak but not always very clearly.

Mr McCullough said Mr Sadlier was generally a happy, well-balanced young man subject to his intelligence difficulties and would require some care into the future. He had been extremely well looked after for the past 24 years by his mother and grandmother.