A birth scarring injury compensation award o f€65,000 has been approved for an eight-year-old boy in the High Court. It was alleged that the boy, Dara Brennan, suffered a facial scarring injury at the time of his birth on November 12, 2009 at the Coombe Hospital in Dublin.

The physicians treated him attempted a forceps delivery. During these Dara was inflicted with the injuries to his face. The scarring on his cheek and two indentations on the right side of his face that are still clearly visible when he smiles.

Lorraine Brennan, Dara’s mother, with an address at Brayton Park, Kilcock, Co Kildare, sued the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital for her son based on the negligence at the time of his birth on November 12, 2009.

The legal representatives for the Brennan’s told the Court that alleged improper use of forceps inflicted the scars the right side to Dara Brennan’s face. They added that there was a failure to use proper care, competence, judgment and skill required at the time of his birth. It was also argued that a more competent doctor in obstetrics would have avoided inflicted Dara with the scarring injuries. The Coombe hospital’s legal representatives denied these accusations.

Mr Justice Kevin Cross said, in approving the birth scarring injury compensation award  that it was as close to appropriate compensation as possible.