A young girl who suffered hearing loss after an attempt was made to remove a bead stuck in her ear in a hospital emergency room has settled a €250,000 suit in the High Court.
Annah Jones was six years old, making a necklace of beads, when she had a bead inserted in her left ear and had to be referred to Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin for removal.
It has been claimed that the young girl suffered a traumatic perforation of her left eardrum while attempting to remove the bead in the emergency room over 10 years ago, resulting in hearing loss. It was further claimed that the child was crying hysterically, started bleeding and was in severe pain.
The hospital admitted on January 4, 2012, negligence and dereliction of duty regarding her care and treatment in the emergency department.
Her attorney, Bruce Antoniotti SC, hired by Cranny’s attorneys, told the court that after the attempted removal was unsuccessful, Hannah’s mother was told she would be referred to the hospital’s ear, nose and throat department. But after five days, when there was no referral, she contacted the hospital and was told to return to the emergency room.
The attorney said Hannah’s mother was told the pearl would need to be removed under general anesthesia and on January 12, 2012, the child underwent surgery.
The bead, the attorney said, was deeply embedded in the canal and a perforation of the eardrum was noted.
A review later confirmed a 40 decibel conductive hearing loss in the left ear. The attorney said that a few years later, Hannah was fitted with a hearing aid that was successful.
Hannah, from Hampton Wood Road, Meakstown, Dublin, who is now 16, was admitted to Temple Street Hospital by her mother, Jillian Jones.
It was alleged that there had been a failure or neglect to assess the risk associated with the young child’s condition on January 4, 2012 and an attempt was made to remove the bead when it was unsafe, resulting in the injuries complained of.
It was further alleged that there was a failure or neglect to provide the child with prompt medical attention and that there was a delay as a result, which led to the development of an infection in the ear.
Further, it was alleged that a lack of due and reasonable care, skill, competence, care and judgment was not exercised in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, handling, care and removal of the pearl from the child’s ear.
Mr Judge Paul Coffey said he had no hesitation in approving the €250,900 settlement which he felt was fair and reasonable.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/girl-with-hearing-loss-after-hospitals-attempt-to-remove-bead-lodged-in-ear-settles-high-court-case-for-250000-42327199.html Girl with hearing loss after hospital tried to remove bead stuck in ear settles case in High Court for €250,000
