by Stephen McGuinness June-05-2015 in Healthcare Law
On 1 May 2015, Judgment was given by Justice Cross of the High Court in a case where a woman, who asked to remain anonymous, brought a claim in relation to a symphysiotomy she underwent at a Dublin hospital in 1963. The woman claimed she suffered life-long pain following the procedure and could not bond with her baby daughter after the birth because she was in such pain.
The case was heard in the High Court over 15 days. Mr Justice Cross rejected the Plaintiff’s claim. In his Judgment, Mr Justice Kevin Cross found that “the practice of a prophylactic symphysiotomy in 1963 was not a practice without justification”. He said he was not making any general observations about the effects of symphysiotomies and was aware that there is still a limited place for symphysiotomies, especially in countries with limited hospital facilities and where mothers have great distances to travel.
The case was of considerable interest given that it was viewed as a test case for other potential symphysiotomy cases.
For further information on symphysiotomy cases, contact Stephen McGuinness at smcguinness@hayes-solicitors.ie
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About the Author
Stephen McGuinness
Stephen is a partner in the Healthcare team at Hayes solicitors. Stephen specialises in the defence of medical and dental negligence claims taken against hospitals as well as individual medical and dental practitioners.