A management consultant has taken a High Court action against Dublin's Mount Carmel Hospital and two doctors arising from a gallbladder operation which he underwent more than four years ago.
It is claimed the hospital failed to speedily diagnose that the man was suffering from necrotising fasciitis (a flesh-eating bug).
Mr Joseph O'Callaghan (61), of South Park, Foxrock, Dublin, said he was in excruciating pain after the operation at the hospital on April 10th, 2000, and had had to remain in hospital for much longer than he had expected.
Mr O'Callaghan is suing Mount Carmel Hospital, Prof Arthur Tanner and Dr Mark Laher, all of Braemor Park, Churchtown, Dublin, for alleged negligence in failing to take any or adequate care for his safety and failing to treat him, whether adequately, or at all, for gallbladder disease.
It is also claimed there was a failure to diagnose that he was suffering from necrotising fasciitis as soon as it was reasonably possible, and a failure to treat that condition as soon as was reasonably possible or to prevent its spread.
The defendants deny negligence. It is submitted on behalf of the hospital that if Mr O'Callaghan did suffer the alleged or any personal injuries, which is denied, they were caused or contributed to by his underlying physical condition and/or anatomy.
Mr O'Callaghan claims that on April 9th, 2000, he was admitted to the hospital for an elective cholecystectomy to treat gallbladder disease.
He was later transferred to Tallaght Hospital where he underwent surgery on May 3rd.The hearing is expected to last several days.