A 12-year-old girl who it is claimed is paralysed from the chest down after an operation for curvature of her spine, has settled her High Court action for €9.4 million.
Aimee Brennan, Wolfhill, Co Laois, had the operation at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin when she was six years old. The little girl who has paraplegia now has to use a wheelchair.
Mr Justice Kevin Cross in the High Court was told the case was a very complex one and the settlement is without admission of liability.
Aimee’s counsel, Liam Reidy SC, told the court the little girl who had curvature of the spine had an independent life before the operation. The surgery, he said, was necessary as Aimee was not breathing properly.
Surgical implants
Counsel said the surgery involved the insertion of an anchor system and implants along the spine using pedicle screws. It was their case the screws had been allegedly misplaced.
He said an updated MRI scan would have provided a road map for the surgery.
The hospital denied all the claims and contended the screws did not cause damage and the injuries could have been explained by a stroke, which is a known complication of this type of surgery.
Aimee’s mother, Jacinta, told the court Aimee is a great child. “She has been through so much but always has a smile on her face,” she said.
In an affidavit to the court Mrs Brennan said her daughter was never able to walk again after the operation, and she has no power or sensation from below chest level.
Aimee had a very difficult time after the operations and suffered pain and discomfort. She wasn't discharged from the ICU until October of that year and discharged home in mid December.
She had to go to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in February 2015 and was there until May of that year.
Aimee’s mother told the court her daughter continues to get excellent care in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children.
Approving the €9.4 million settlement Mr Justice Kevin Cross said it was a very good one.
