A solicitor has urged the Minister for Health to bring in the duty of candour for all medical negligence cases, after his 14-year-old client settled an action over the circumstances of his birth at Sligo General Hospital for €5 million.
In the High Court case, Mr Justice Kevin Cross praised the parents of Conor Maxwell, who has cerebral palsy, for the care they have given their son and said he hoped the settlement would help him “as far as money can” in the future.
According to the Irish Times, the court heard the settlement was a result of mediation between the sides.
Conor from Carrickmackeegan, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, had - through his mother Yvonne Maxwell -sued the HSE over the circumstances of his birth in Sligo on August 13th, 2003.
The court heard Ms Maxwell was admitted to Sligo General Hospital in labour two weeks before her due date.
It was claimed the management of her labour was incompetent, and as a result, the baby was exposed to significant hypoxia-ischaemia.
When Conor was born he required resuscitation, and in the hours after his birth, he developed severe breathing difficulties and suffered seizures.
In a statement after the proceedings, his solicitor David O’Malley called on Minister for Health Simon Harris to immediately bring in a duty of candour for all medical negligence claims.
Approving the settlement Mr Justice Cross commended Ms Maxwell and Conor’s father,Jason Kellett, for the care their son had received and wished the family all the best for the future.
