A man who claims he contracted hepatitis C through his mother at birth nearly 25 years ago has begun a High Court action seeking damages against the Blood Transfusion Service and the Minister for Health.
The man claims that the blood product anti-D was administered to his mother after the birth of her third child in November 1977. The batch of anti-D has tested positive for hepatitis C.
It is pleaded that the mother contracted hepatitis C after being administered with anti-D in 1977.
The plaintiff contracted hepatitis C from maternal transmission at his birth in late 1980. As a consequence he has suffered severe personal loss and damage, it is claimed.
Mr Justice Herbert was told yesterday that such damage had been caused by negligence, breach of duty and breach of his constitutional rights by the defendants.
Mr John Rogers SC said his client had contracted the disease at birth. Save for something short of a miracle he was going to suffer for the rest of his life from this killer virus, and it was likely that his life expectancy was reduced.
Mr Rogers said the man had seen the effect the disease had on his mother, who effectively suffered from liver disease.
The hearing continues today.