Boy sues for brain damage at birth

THE High Court yesterday began a hearing to assess damages to be paid to a 12-year-old boy — the eldest of a family of seven — who is brain damaged, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

The court was told last week that liability has been admitted by the Mid-Western Health Board, which was responsible for the hospital where he was born.

Paraic Comber, suing through his mother, Deirdre Comber, of Mullagh, Ennis, Co Clare, is suing the health board as being responsible for the medical treatment they received at Limerick Maternity Hospital, known as St Munchin’s, Limerick, between June 1992 and April 21, 1993, the date of his birth.

It is claimed there was negligence at the time of his birth.

Garrett Cooney, for Paraic, said he was the eldest child of Deirdre and Patrick Comber, both of whom are teachers.

Mr Cooney said Ms Comber was given a drug, Syntocinon, to induce labour at Paraic’s birth and according to expert evidence she was given too much, depriving oxygen to her baby’s brain.

Mr Cooney said liability had been conceded for the first time on July 4 last. The plaintiff’s side had been preparing for a contest in relation to liability.

Mr Cooney said the court would be satisfied that Mr and Mrs Comber had looked after Paraic with “exemplary devotion” and had done everything possible to make life as tolerable as possible for him.

There had been a substantial improvement in the services available from the Government for people with Paraic’s condition.

Mr Cooney said Paraic attends the school of which his father is the principal. At the school, Paraic and other children have the services of a special needs assistant, a special resources teacher and a new special needs room.

The hearing, before Mr Justice Declan Budd, is expected to continue into next week.