Girl secures €4m settlement

A YOUNG girl with severe cerebral palsy has secured a €4 million plus costs settlement of her High Court action over alleged negligence in the circumstances of her birth at Letterkenny General Hospital.

Emma Duddy, now 13, through her mother Adrienne, of Trimragh, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, had brought her action against the HSE and Dr Brian Davison, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. Yesterday’s settlement is against the HSE only and is without admission of liability. The claim against Dr Davison was struck out with no order. The case came before the court earlier this month.

It was claimed Emma, due to the alleged negligence of the defendants, had suffered severe birth asphyxia during labour and personal injury in the form of quadriplegic cerebral palsy.