A boy who suffered brain damage at his birth has settled his High Court medical negligence* action for damages.

The boy is to receive an interim payment of €1,7 million for the next two years. The boy, through his mother, sued a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at St Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and the HSE for alleged negligence, breach of duty and breach of contract at the time of his birth in 2000.

The court was told that the boy’s mother admitted to St Joseph's Hospital in January 2000 and that, in a 15-minute period starting at noon, abnormalities were present in the foetal heart rate tracing. The boy was born at lunchtime and was in poor condition. He had to be resuscitated and later suffered seizures which resulted in him irreversible brain damage.

The court was told that as a result of the severe personal injuries* he had suffered, the boy who has cerebral palsy, would need constant care for the rest of his life.

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