Limerick girl who sued hospital over eye abscess treatment settles case for €115k

Girl was admitted to the A&E department of University Hospital Limerick in December 2017 and did not have the abscess drained for two days, court heard

It was claimed the abscess should not have been drained by incision and the girl, who is now 13 years of age, has been left with a scar. Picture: Dan Linehan

A young girl who, it is claimed, has been left with some double vision after an alleged delay in treatment at University Hospital Limerick for an eye abscess has settled her High Court action for €115,000.

Lorna Browne was only seven years of age, and at school, when she developed a very large and aggressive lump on her left eye, her counsel Patrick Treacy, instructed by Cian O’Carroll solicitors, told the High Court.

Counsel said it was their case the girl, who was admitted to the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick in December 2017, did not have the abscess drained for two days.

Counsel said it was their further contention the abscess should not have been drained by incision and the girl, who is now 13 years of age, has been left with a scar.

He said she has been left with double vision in her left eye and has to wear glasses with a prism as a result. Counsel said experts on both sides differ in relation to the double vision and the HSE experts said it was only in the extreme upper gaze.

Lorna Browne, Galbally, Co Limerick, had through her mother Catherine Browne, sued the HSE.

The little girl had been brought to the hospital A&E when her swollen eye had not settled and she was also suffering from headaches.

She was admitted to the hospital on December 1, 2017, and stayed there until she was transferred for the drainage surgery on December 3, 2017. She remained in hospital for another eight days, where she was treated with antibiotics.

She claimed there was an alleged failure to treat her effectively and expeditiously. The abscess drainage, it was contended, did not take place until December 3, 2017, when her presentation and investigations, including a CT scan on December 1, allegedly indicated her condition required urgent attention.

Her treatment, it was claimed, was delayed unduly and unnecessarily and allegedly gave rise to the double vision.

It was further claimed a surgical procedure was performed in a manner that was allegedly unnecessarily invasive and damaging to the little girl’s appearance.

Counsel told the court a full defence was indicated in the case.

Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was fair and reasonable and he conveyed his best wishes to the young girl and her family.