A 16 year old girl who through her father sued the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, has settled her medical negligence claim* against the hospital.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, heard that the girl developed seizures and turned blue some six hours after her birth in June 1998 and developed all the symptoms of cerebral palsy. The teenager now requires assistance with everything as she has significant intellectual and significant behavioural problems.

The court heard that the teenager’s father gave up his work as an oil tanker driver in 2007 to care for his daughter and he was described as “heroic”. The court also heard that the value of the claim varied from nine to six million on full proof of negligence and causation. The court was told that a settlement of €3 million plus legal costs had been reached and the High Court approved same.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.