‘Substantial’ settlement for couple over baby’s stillbirth

A COUPLE who cited the right to life of the unborn amendment to the constitution as grounds for suing for damages for wrongful death of their stillborn baby settled their case yesterday.

Lavinia Doyle, 36, and her Italian-born partner, Luca Chiussi, 35, are believed to have secured a “substantial” settlement in their case against the Health Service Executive (HSE) after their baby Ethan was stillborn in Waterford Regional Hospital on July 25, 2003.

The case centred on the treatment Ms Doyle received while in the hospital and separately on whether there was provision under law for damages for the death an unborn child.