A 24-year-old man from East Cork, Ireland, with cerebral palsy, has received a €400,000 settlement after a High Court case against the Health Service Executive (HSE). The court found the HSE responsible for failing to diagnose Jack Ryan's high-frequency hearing loss in his early years. Ryan's lawyers argued that the delay in diagnosis led to communication and language difficulties. The HSE admitted a breach of duty for the period between Ryan's first and sixth years.
A 24-year-old man from East Cork, Ireland, named Jack Ryan, who was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of six, has reached a €400,000 settlement in a High Court action against the Health Service Executive (HSE). Ryan's legal representative, Alan Keating SC, argued that there was a failure to identify his high-frequency hearing loss during his early years. Ryan, who has cerebral palsy , was at a higher risk of developing hearing loss, according to his counsel.
The case stemmed from a 2009 HSE review of audiological services in the Munster region, which identified shortcomings in assessments provided by a single audiological scientist. This scientist was no longer practicing within the HSE's service since 2007. Ryan's lawsuit claimed that there was a failure to advise a timely audiological or specialist review, a failure to detect his hearing loss and impairment within a reasonable timeframe, and a failure to perform timely hearing screenings.It also alleged that the HSE failed to provide appropriate medical treatment for his hearing impairment in a timely manner. The HSE admitted a breach of duty for the period between Ryan's first and sixth years. Ryan had been seen by the Southern Health Board Audiology Service in March 2002, where normal hearing was recorded. He was scheduled for further testing but a follow-up appointment approximately 20 months later proved unsuccessful as Ryan persistently removed the headphones during the test. In 2006, a high-frequency hearing loss in both ears was identified, particularly severe in his right ear. Subsequently, Ryan was referred by his general practitioner to a specialist for further testing, where a high-frequency hearing loss was confirmed in October 2006.Ryan's legal team contended that the delayed diagnosis and intervention likely contributed to communication and language difficulties. They argued that with appropriate treatment, these difficulties could have been minimized. However, the HSE's expert argued that Ryan's underlying condition likely would have caused an early language delay, regardless of the hearing impairment. Mr. Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement, deeming it fair and reasonable. He also expressed his well wishes for Ryan's future
HEALTH SERVICES HEARING LOSS CEREBRAL PALSY LEGAL CASE SETTLEMENT
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