Boy awarded €650k over injury at birth

A five-year-old boy who suffered a shoulder injury during birth at University College Hospital Galway has settled his action against the HSE for €650,000.

Rian Murphy, the High Court heard, suffered a very severe injury in which all five of the shoulder nerves were damaged during a forceps delivery.

Senior counsel Denis McCullough said it was mystifying why three pulls of force had to be applied to a 1.8kg baby.

Rian, though his mother Ann Murphy, of Ardskeaghmore, Corofin, Tuam, Co Galway, had sued the HSE as a result of the injury at the hosptial on March 27, 2010.

It was claimed that there was an alleged failure to properly manage Ms Murphy’s labour and there was an alleged failure to properly and carefully carry out the forceps delivery of the boy. The claims were denied.

When he was born, it was noted that Rian had no movement of the right arm and later had to have surgery.

Rian’s father Paul Murphy told the court his son was a bright, happy, contented, independent young boy who was brimming with energy.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a very good settlement and he wished Rian and his family well for the future.