Teenager Receives €850,000 Settlement in Birth Injury Case Against University Hospital Galway

A teenage girl has been awarded €850,000 in a settlement following a High Court action concerning the care she received after her birth at University Hospital Galway. The case, heard before Judge Paul Coffey on Friday, involved claims of failures in post-natal care that led to neurodevelopmental difficulties for the girl, whose identity is protected by a court order.

Details of the Case

The lawsuit, brought by the girl through her father, alleged that the hospital failed to adequately investigate her small size at birth in 2009 and to test for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a viral infection that can cause low birth weight and developmental issues. It was further claimed that there was a failure to promptly administer antiviral medication and a delay of over four years in diagnosing the underlying cause of her condition.

Counsel for the girl, Jonathan Kilfeather, noted that despite two ultrasound scans during her mother’s pregnancy, the baby’s small size upon birth should have prompted further investigation. The case centered on the hospital guidelines in place at the time of the birth.

Settlement and Court Approval

The settlement was reached through mediation and does not include an admission of liability from the Health Service Executive (HSE), which operates University Hospital Galway. Judge Coffey acknowledged the difficulties in establishing a direct causal link between the alleged failures in care and the girl’s neurodevelopmental challenges, but approved the settlement, expressing his best wishes for the teenager’s future.

Recent Cases Involving University Hospital Galway

This settlement follows other recent cases involving University Hospital Galway and allegations of medical negligence. In June 2025, a seven-year-old girl, Ariana Mocanu, successfully settled a claim against the HSE following a misdiagnosis of appendicitis, which led to a ruptured appendix, and complications. Justice Paul Coffey also presided over that case.

In April 2025, the hospital issued an apology for “shortcomings in obstetric care” that led to the death of a baby girl, Ailbhe Gilligan, shortly after birth. The hospital’s general manager, Chris Kane, expressed sincere condolences to the family and acknowledged the failures in care.