Long-term hospital care costing €3 million will be required for a woman who is in a permanent vegetative state following an operation to remove metalwork that had been inserted into her ankle during surgery after a road accident, the High Court has heard.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson was told that since the operation to remove the metalwork was performed in April 2001 at Tullamore General Hospital on Mary Corcoran, there had been no physical reaction from her.
She remains in the hospital, which has undertaken to look after her without imposing costs. The cost of that care was an estimated €3 million.
Ms Corcoran (61), Clonfert, Ballinalsloe, Co Galway, was admitted to the hospital on April 5th, 2001, for an operation to remove metalwork that had been inserted into her right ankle the previous July, following a road accident.
On April 9th, 2001, she underwent the scheduled surgery under general anaesthesia. It was claimed that as a result of negligence, she suffered severe global brain damage due to a loss of oxygen to the brain immediately after the general anaesthesia.
In proceedings brought on her behalf by her husband, Brendan, against the Midland Health Board, it was claimed the anaesthetic care and general medical care, including pre-operative preparation, fell below acceptable standards. It was also claimed that the use of a general anaesthetic was inappropriate, as blood gases taken after Ms Corcoran's operation in July 2000 showed she was a considerable risk for such a procedure.
Ms Corcoran, the court was told, is in a permanent vegetative state and will require full and specialised care for the remainder of her life which, the court heard, has been shortened as a result of her injuries.
The board had admitted liability and the case proceeded as an assessment of damages only.
Mr Justice Johnson yesterday approved a settlement of some €450,000 for Ms Corcoran and directed a payment of €100,000 to Mr Corcoran and €20,000 for each of their four children.
An application will be made later to have Ms Corcoran made a ward of court.