The High Court has approved a settlement for over €6 million for a 20-year-old man who had sued over a five-month delay in diagnosing his brain tumour when he was a teenager.
The man, who cannot be named by order of the court, was 14 years old when he complained of fatigue and that his left hand was "useless" and would not work.
He was also complaining of migraine, it was claimed, and that he found it hard to concentrate.
He had been an active teenager and spent a significant amount of time engaged in sports, the court heard.
The High Court judge was told his mother "besieged" Cork University Hospital (CUH) for five months for help for her son.
The boy was first referred to CUH by his GP but his counsel, Oonah McCrann, told the court the family were told the problems were psychological and functional and the boy was referred to the mental health services and physiotherapy.
Ms McCrann, instructed by Cantillons Solicitors, said the mother has been left "hugely traumatised" over her dealings with CUH as she tried to get answers for her son.
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Five months after the teenager's first visit to the hospital, counsel said his mother "effectively then took the law into her own hands" and arranged for a private MRI scan for her son which showed a deep-seated, slow growing tumour in his brain.
He had brain surgery within days of the scan, but Ms McCrann said he has been left with lifelong deficits.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey was told the HSE admitted negligence in relation to the delay in the diagnosis of the tumour but contended the five-month delay did not impact the outcome.
Outside court, the young man's solicitor Karen Kearney said it was a very sad case which underlines the importance of doctors listening to their patients and their families.
Mr Justice Coffey was told that separate actions brought by the young man’s parents over the events had also been settled and could be struck out.
Approving the €6.1 million settlement, the judge said it was fair and reasonable and he wished the very best to the young man and his parents.
