A woman has claimed before the High Court that, as a result of a sterilisation procedure in a Dublin hospital, she suffered nerve damage to her groin and genital areas.
She alleges she can only walk about 100 metres without pain, can only sit for short periods and cannot work.
Ms Ann Butler, a mother of two, Caragh Court, Naas, Co Kildare, has brought an action for damages against Dr Patricia Crowley, a consultant gynaecologist; Dr S.A. Aziz, a gynaecologist; and Dr David Rolfe, an anaesthetist, arising from a sterilisation procedure performed in July 1995. She has also sued the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, where the procedure was carried out.
The doctors and hospital have denied negligence. Mr Justice Johnson was told yesterday the hearing could take four weeks.
Opening the case, Mr John Trainor SC, for Ms Butler, said his client was claiming damages for negligence by the doctors and hospital in the carrying out of the sterilisation procedure on July 13th, 1995, when she was 32.
She was later brought back to hospital by ambulance, having suffered "a horrifying and frightening experience" and she thought she was dying.
Dr Aziz saw her and told her the pain was normal, she said, and Dr Crowley told her the pain was due to a bruised bladder.
Ms Butler said she had later attended Dr Peter Lenehan in the Blackrock Clinic, who said he could find no gynaecological reason for the pain.
The hearing continues today.