Probation officer settles action over nerve damage for €170,000

A PROBATION officer who claimed a nerve in her left hand was damaged during a mastectomy operation in a Dublin hospital has settled her High Court action for damages for €170,000.

Catherine Corcoran, Shankill, Dublin, had brought her proceedings following the operation at St Vincent’s University Hospital on November 28, 2001.

The action was brought against a nominee of the hospital and two surgeons, Arnold Hill and Margaret O’Donnell.

All three defendants had denied the claims. Yesterday, the action was struck out with no order against the hospital and was also struck out against both surgeons, with an order for Ms Corcoran’s costs in their case.

Ms Corcoran, aged 53, had claimed her left hand felt hyper-sensitive and swollen after she came around from the anaesthetic. She said nerve function tests in January 2002 showed complete lesion of the median nerve on the left side.

She said she was unable to do the simplest of things, such as dressing, preparing food and driving.

She underwent surgery in London in December 2002 but her left hand, she claimed, remains numb.

Outside court, Ms Corcoran said the settlement money would not compensate for the way her life has now changed.