Brain-damaged teen gets €4m settlement from Dublin maternity hospital
A teenage girl with severe brain injuries has secured €4m as settlement of her High Court action against a Dublin maternity hospital.
The award, approved yesterday by Ms Justice Mary Irvine, was made to Katie Martin (aged 13) who the court heard showed no signs of life following her birth at the Coombe Hospital in the early hours of November 9, 2000.
Katie, suing through her mother Fiona Martin, from Tower View, Trim, Co Meath sued the Guardians and the Directors of the Coombe Woman and Infants University Hospital for alleged negligence arising out of the circumstances of Katie's birth.
The settlement was made without any admission of liability by the hospital, who had denied it was negligent or had breached its duty of care owed to Katie.
Ms Justice Irvine said she had no hesitation in approving the settlement, which the Judge said was "a good one" given the case was fully contested by the defendant.
The Judge added the award will go towards providing the care and supports Katie currently requires both in the present and in the future.
