Boy, 15, with cerebral palsy gets €1.6 interim payment

A MEDICAL negligence action involving a 15-year-old boy with cerebral palsy which may prove to be an important test case in regards to how payments are made to those who will require care for the rest of their lives has been adjourned by the High Court.

Connor Corroon, who the court heard suffered catastrophic injuries during his birth, yesterday was awarded an interim payment of more than €1.6 million as part settlement of his medical negligence action against a Cork hospital and a consultant obstetrician.

Connor, suing through his mother, Judith Mary, of Copestown, Mallow, Co Cork, brought an action against City General Hospital Cork and Dr Pallany Pillay, both of Infirmary Road, Cork, arising out of the circumstances of Connor’s birth on February 6, 1995.

Liability had been conceded and the case was for assessment only.

The court heard from Connor’s counsel Dr John O’Mahoney SC and Denis McCullough SC that Connor suffered brain injuries due to being deprived of oxygen prior to his delivery which has left him permanently disabled. He requires a wheelchair and cannot speak, and will need care for the rest of his life.

Yesterday, following more than two days of discussions between the parties, Mr Justice John Quirke adjourned the case to October 2011, when it is hoped that a statutory system will be in place where Connor will receive an annual or periodic payment which will cover the costs of his care.

The judge said that a system of index linked periodic payments to cover the costs of providing care for Connor is preferable to the current system whereby a lump sum is paid to those who are usually made wards of court and the settlement invested on their behalf. The interim payment would ensure that Connor would not lose out.