The High Court has approved a settlement of €60,000 in the case of a seven-year-old boy who developed a fear of needles after a part of an intravenous cannula went missing during his treatment.
Sam Mooney, from James's Street in Dublin, had to have investigations carried out to ensure the missing part - a catheter tip - was not inside his body. The part was never found.
The boy had to have a number of tests including x-rays, an ECG, an echocardiogram, and a CT pulmonary angiography as doctors tried to locate the missing piece.
The boy later developed a needle phobia and he still requires weekly injections for a skin condition.
The boy had been admitted to hospital for intravenous steroid infusions for a skin condition in August 2018.
The treatment was through an IV cannula which was inserted on 7 August with the steroid infusion administered over a four-hour period. The boy was discharged home with the IV cannula in place still but covered.
He attended the hospital to continue his treatment the next day, but it was noticed as the cannula was being flushed there was a blood leakage.
The cannula was removed and examined but the catheter tip was missing and could not be located.
It was claimed he was subjected to multiple radiology investigations, but the catheter remained missing and it was unclear whether it was inside his body.
In his High Court action it was alleged there was a failure to exercise an appropriate care, diligence and skill during the manufacture of the peripheral intravenous catheter and an allegedly defective cannula/catheter was supplied to the hospital.
The boy suffered injury, pain, discomfort and worry, it was claimed.
Barrister Esther Earley said Sam developed an intense fear of needles but three years down the line the physical effects have lessened.
The court heard a subsequent review found that particular cannula was defective as the catheter had become dislodged.
The boy, who is now aged 10, had sued through his mother Lisa Farrelly in an action against the cannula manufacturer, B Braun Medical Limited with a registered address at Naas Road Industrial Park, Dublin.
Approving the settlement, Mr Justice Garrett Simons said it was a reasonable and good one.
