A 14-YEAR-OLD girl with Cerebral Palsy has made a €1.5 million interim settlement with the HSE today.
Mary Malee was born in Mayo General Hospital in 1999. She suffered irreversible brain damage causing both intellectual and physical problems but the HSE has denied any liability for the injuries suffered.
Her family began proceedings two years ago and the interim settlement was agreed today.
In a statement, the victim said an apology from the hospital “would have been appreciated” but “at least the payment of the compensation lessens the future financial worries”.
The teenager also said:
Cerebral Palsy won’t kill me but I have to learn to live with it. This condition isn’t like a broken leg in a cast for eight weeks its for life.
“Justice has been done and I’m bringing closure to this, we can now move on with our lives. I want to thank my parents, brother, sisters, godparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, Jean and Family, close friends, carers, physiotherapists, St Aidan’s National School, St Louis Community School and my legal team at Augustus Cullen Law.
This shouldn’t have happened to me and others like me.
According to her legal team at Augustus Cullen Law, the case will return to court in two years’ time when the issue of future care, aids, appliances and equipment, assistive technology and housing adaptations will be dealt with.
Solicitor Michael Boylan said her decision to make a statement was “immensely brave” and “most unusual”.
“It has been a long struggle,” he told RTÉ News. “She is 14, almost 15 years of age, proceedings only began two years ago so liability was disputed. It remained in dispute but it is a good settlement and the family are really happy that Mary’s future is secure now.
“She is a remarkable young woman. You just have to focus on her abilities rather than her disabilities. She proved today how brave and courageous she has been. She is a real winner.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say