Girl gets €198k damages over birth injury to eye

An eight-year-old girl who was injured in the eye by a forceps during delivery has settled her High Court action for €198,000 damages. The High Court heard the child, Princess Ibeh, has had to wear glasses but will be able to stop doing so shortly.

Princess, from Elm Park, Wilton, Cork, had, through her mother Dzifa Ibeh, sued the HSE as a result of the injuries she sustained during her birth at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork on October 18, 2006.

It was claimed that there was an alleged failure to use the forceps correctly, appropriately and competently and to ensure that the doctor who carried out the forceps delivery was sufficiently competent and had the skills to do so.

After birth, Princess had cuts to her head and her right eye was swollen and it was later noticed her right eye was cloudy.

The claims were denied.

Senior counsel John O’Mahony told the court that the forceps used during the delivery by a junior doctor covered the eye and it should not and was inappropriate. He said Princess will be able to dispense with glasses soon and she has very good vision with both eyes but in the future would not be able to go for certain careers, such as the gardaí or army.

He said Princess is doing very well at school and has a small scar under her right eye. Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved the settlement, saying it was a very good one.