€6.5m settlement over boy’s brain injury
This is on top of a €1.7m interim settlement to 15-year- old Ryan Brennan two years ago. Ryan, who has cerebral palsy, will need constant care for the rest of his life.
Ryan, from Avondale Court, Cahir, Co Tipperary, had through his mother Lorraine sued the HSE for alleged negligence, breach of duty, and breach of contract at the time of his birth at St Joseph’s Hospital, Clonmel, , in January 2000.
The settlement was without admission of liability.
It was claimed that Mrs Brennan was admitted to St Jospeh’s Hospital in January 2000 in early labour.
It was further claimed that in a 15-minute period starting at noon on January 15, 2000, significant abnormalities were present in the foetal heart rate tracing, which would be seriously abnormal and consistent with a very high risk of foetal hypoxia and it was sufficient to merit immediate obstetric review.
Ryan was born at lunchtime and was in poor condition and described as flat and pale with poor muscle tone. He had to be resusitated and later suffered seizures.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns praised the efforts Ryan’s parents had made with him.
Outside court Lorraine and Raymond Brennan said they were happy with the settlement. “Lorraine and I were determined to find out why he had been born in such poor health, which left Ryan severely disabled,” said Mr Brennan.
“We were also determined to give Ryan all the support we could muster, in order for him to have a decent quality of life. We have been happy to make many sacrifices to achieve this aim. He is our cherished son, and we all love him very much.” He added: “It was a long road. He’s 15 now. We were fighting this since his birth and we are glad now it’s over and we can move on with our lives, and give Ryan a better quality of life.”
Ryan, his mother said, was sociable and likes pony riding, swimming, and being with other children.
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