Hospital apology over spine injury

A woman left paralysed after undergoing surgery on her spine at a Dublin hospital six years ago yesterday received an apology in the High Court.

An apology was given to Emily Casey as part of a final settlement — totalling €4.8m — of her action against Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin and consultant orthopaedic surgeon David Moore.

Counsel Eoin McCullough, on behalf of the defendants, “sincerely apologised” to Ms Casey, who celebrates her 19th birthday today, and to her family for what occurred.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved a further €3.1m settlement on top of an €1.75m interim payment to Ms Casey last May, bringing the final settlement figure to €4.8m.

Ms Casey claimed she suffered injury after a screw was inserted into her spinal cord during an operation at Our Ladies Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, to treat curvature of the spine, on December 8, 2009.

As a result of her spinal cord being severely damaged, Emily is paralysed from the chest down, confined to a wheelchair, and requires care and assistance.

Through her mother Stephanie, from Nerano Rd, Dalkey, Co Dublin, Ms Casey had sued the hospital and consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Moore.

Her counsel, Liam Reidy, said liability was admitted in the case in May.

He told the court that Ms Casey had contracted meningitis when aged four. This resulted in ongoing health problems but she was after time able to walk with a frame and had a degree of independence.

In 2009, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine and underwent surgery on her spine at Crumlin, he said.

Her injuries were caused when a special screw, known as a pedicle screw, was wrongly inserted into her spinal cord. The screw was removed following further surgery the following day, he added.

Ms Casey remained in hospital until April 2010, when she was moved to the the National Rehabilitation Centre.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Cross said it meant that Emily would not have to go through the trauma of having to give evidence in court. He wished the family well for the future.

Outside court, Ms Casey said she was relieved and delighted and she was looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her parents and family.

Her mother said it had been a long legal road but Ms Casey would now have all the services she required.