Woman who ‘contracted rare disease from parrot’ awarded further €3m

A severely disabled young woman who claimed her injuries resulted from contracting a rare disease, most probably from a parrot, has secured a further €3 million payment.

Patricia Ingle previously obtained a multimillion euro structured settlement – believed to be about €7.5 million, then the highest settlement in a personal injuries case.

She later received further payouts for her future care, including €3 million a number of years ago.

In the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross was told a further payout of €3 million was to be made to meet her care needs for the next three years.

Ms Ingle, now aged 28, suffered catastrophic injuries and is paralysed and confined to a wheelchair.

Ms Ingle, from Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra, Weston, Co Limerick, had sued Petmania Limited, Jetlands Retail Park, Ennis Road, Limerick; its parent company, O'Keeffes of Kilkenny Limited, Springhill, Kilkenny; and the HSE.

Cockatiel

It was claimed she suffered her injuries after contracting chlamydia psittacosis – an airborne infection which can be transferred from birds to humans – while working at the Petmania store at Ennis Road, in 2008. She also alleged her condition was negligently mismanaged by the HSE.

Both defendants denied the claims against them in proceedings which settled after talks on the fourth day of the case six years ago.

During the proceedings, the court heard chlamydia psittacosis can be passed from parrots to humans through inhalation of airborne dried faeces dust or from the feathers or respiratory secretions of the birds.

It was alleged Ms Ingle contracted the disease during July or August 2008 when a cockatiel was purchased by the store for €20. It was stated that class of bird was implicated in the disease.

Violent headaches

It was claimed Ms Ingle received no training in health and safety matters when dealing with animals while working at the Petmania store in 2007 and 2008.

On August 12th, 2008, she suffered violent headaches and vomiting, attended a doctor and was sent to the Midwestern Regional Hospital where she was treated and sent home to rest.

There was a slight improvement but after a very bad night on August 31st when she suffered headaches and increased vomiting, she went to her GP on September 1st and was sent to hospital.

By September 3rd, she was technically voiceless and had suffered irreversible brain damage, had blurred vision, could not move along and had difficulty in swallowing, it was claimed.