Woman awarded €1.6m against HSE
Former Fás worker Eileen Power, aged 64, from Waterford, settled two separate actions over two different operations at the hospital. Her sons, Frank and Shane, said outside court that they can now give their mother the care she needs and in some sort of comfort.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Kevin Cross praised Ms Power’s two sons and said the way they had cared for their mother had been exemplary. He said what happened must have been a terrible blow to them and the court wanted to congratulate them on the care they had provided for her.
Counsel Aidan Walsh told the court Ms Power went into Waterford Regional Hospital for a hysterectomy in 2004, but her bowel was perforated. She later had to have other procedures and it was decided that she would reattend for an open procedure to repair a hernia as she could not even bend down.
However, counsel said further damage was caused and Ms Power’s condition deteriorated and she developed septicemia.
Counsel said Ms Power was in an induced coma but made a miraculous recovery and came out of the coma.
One of her sons had given up his job to care for his mother.
Eileen Power, formerly of Tír Connell Avenue, Lismore Lawn, Waterford city, but who now resides in residential care had sued the HSE over the hysterectomy operation which was carried out in Waterford Regional Hospital in June 2004, and a subsequent procedure in 2009.
After the second operation, it was claimed she went into a coma and suffered brain damage and while she has the use of her limbs is mentally and physically disabled.
She will have to be in full-time residential care for the rest of her life.
Counsel told the court that liability was admitted in relation to the hysterectomy but causation remained at issue in relation to the 2009 operation.
Ms Power settled her action over the hysterectomy operation for €365,800, and the other action over the 2009 operation for €1.259m.
