Severely disabled girl receives €11.5 million award over care at birth

Am 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy has secured a total €11.6m under a final settlement of her action against a consultant over her care around the time of her birth.

A further settlement of some €9m was approved for Isabelle Sheeham, on top of €2.6m previously secured, in final settlement of her case againt consultant obstetrician Dr David Corr.

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, approved the settlement as “fair and reasomable” and congratulated the child’s parents, saying she would not have made the progess she had without the love, care and attention they have lavished on her. He complimented the “truly remarkable care” by Colm and Catherine Sheehan for their daughter and thanked them on her behalf.

When told the family wanted a final lump sum payment as this was their third time back in court after €2.6m was paid in interim payments, Mr Justice Kelly said it was understandable they were weary with interim settlements.

The situation underscored the “acute necessity” for legislation providing for periodic payments in catatrophic injury cases, he said.

Through her mother Catherine, from Millbrook, Mallow, Co Cork, Isabelle sued Dr Corr, of the Cork Clinic, Western Road, Cork, who was carrying on a private practice at the Bon Secours Maternity Hospital, Cork, when Isabelle was born there in 2004.

It was claimed Dr Corr failed to act on blood tests carried out on Mrs Sheehan uring her pregnancy which showed a significant risk to the health of the baby.

Dr Corr admitted liability and his counsel five years ago read an apology in court on behalf of his client in which Dr Corr said he very much regretted the outcome in relation to the birth of Isabelle.