The Health Service Executive (HSE) has apologised before the High Court to the family of a Garda sergeant who died after giving birth to twins at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. One of her twin boys died in the arms of Tania McCabe, the court heard.
The apology was made today when Sgt Aidan McCabe (41), with an address at Termonfeckin, Co Louth, settled his action over the death of his wife Tania McCabe (34), also a sergeant, who died at the hospital on March 9th, 2007. One of her twin sons, Zach, who was born three months prematurely, had died the previous day.
The case was brought by Sgt McCabe; the couple’s eldest son, Ben (6); and the surviving twin, Adam (4).
The HSE had admitted negligence and the case came before Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O’Neill for assessment of damages only.
The court approved a settlement figure of just over €200,000 for the two children. Details of the settlement for Mr McCabe were not disclosed.
Adrienne Egan SC, on behalf of the HSE, expressed sincere regret to the family for the very sad outcome and for the loss of Mrs McCabe and her baby son.
Mrs McCabe was admitted to hospital on March 6th, 2007, after her waters broke three months before her due date; discharged the following day; and readmitted the next day in labour.
The twins were delivered by caesarean section on March 8th, but one had had severe congenital abnormalities and died in Mrs McCabe’s arms a short time after his birth.
In the hours following the birth, Mrs McCabe suffered a post-partum haemorrhage and had emergency surgery but died.
Mr McCabe alleged negligence against the HSE and a consultant obstetrician, Shane Higgins, attached to the hospital, in failing to properly diagnose his wife’s waters had broken, wrongfully discharging her from hospital and not diagnosing she was in septic shock when readmitted.
The court approved settlements of some €200,000 for the two boys. The details of the settlement in respect of Mr McCabe for mental distress, shock, loss, damages and expenses plus costs were not disclosed. A claim by Mrs McCabe’s mother, Barbara Corcoran, for nervous shock was also settled.