CUMH apologises to woman who sued over alleged injury during caesarean section

Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) has apologised in the High Court to a woman who claimed part of her small intestine was damaged during the delivery of her second child by caesarean section.

The hospital said it regrets the suffering experienced by Zoe Lane Forrest as a result of the procedure she underwent there on April 6th, 2018. She sued the HSE over the care she received at CUMH at the time of the birth of her second child on April 6th, 2018.

Dr John O’Mahony SC, with Patrick Keane SC and Doireann O’Mahony BL, for Ms Lane Forrest, told the court it was a very sad case. He said his client only got to leave hospital seven days after the delivery of her daughter.

A letter including the apology read in court would be sent to Ms Lane Forrest, who lives in Youghal, Co Cork, by the HSE, counsel said. The apology was read as she settled her High Court action against the HSE on confidential terms. The woman’s claims in the case were denied.

In her proceedings, Ms Lane Forrest (39) claimed the arrival of her daughter, which she said should have been a joyous occasion, ended up being an extremely traumatic time. She claimed she is haunted by the memories of the chaos that unfolded.

Lost chance

Ms Lane Forrest said had a general anaesthetic and spent three days in the hospital’s high dependency unit after the birth and lost a chance to bond with her newborn baby.

It was claimed that the lower part of her small intestine was transected and damaged during the caesarean section. It was alleged that a competent performance of the procedure would not have resulted in the injury.

There was an alleged failure to exercise reasonable and ordinary care and skill in and around the examination, investigation, assessment, diagnosis, monitoring, management, care and treatment of Ms Lane Forrest, it was claimed.

It was further claimed there was a failure to take a cautious initial surgical approach and Ms Lane Forrest had been allegedly caused avoidable pain and suffering.

Noting the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey conveyed his very best wishes to Ms Lane Forrest and her family.