Woman with locked-in syndrome settles medical negligence case against HSE and Beaumont Hospital
Lynsey Cribbin, a 21-year-old woman from Finea, Co Cavan, presented at Cavan General Hospital on 19 January 2012 with a pounding headache, feeling unwell and nausea. An MRI carried out there was allegedly misinterpreted, and an acute infarction requiring immediate treatment was not identified. She was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, and it was alleged there were further failures to diagnose an acute stroke, recommend an adequate treatment plan, and advise Cavan General Hospital that she should be seen by a stroke doctor. Cribbin has since lived with locked-in syndrome for 14 years, communicating only through eye movements and using a wheelchair. In August 2026, Judge Paul Coffey approved a settlement in her civil medical negligence action against the HSE and Beaumont Hospital, including an interim €3.7 million payout without an admission of liability, with the case to return in 2030 for a future care assessment.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court1 Aug
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Lynsey Cribbin, a 21-year-old woman from Finea, Co Cavan, presented at Cavan General Hospital on 19 January 2012 with a pounding headache, feeling unwell and nausea.
- An MRI carried out at Cavan General Hospital was allegedly misinterpreted, with an acute infarction requiring immediate treatment not identified.
- It was alleged there were failures to diagnose an acute stroke, to recommend an adequate treatment plan at Beaumont Hospital, and to advise Cavan General Hospital that Cribbin should be seen by a stroke doctor.
- Cribbin has been living with locked-in syndrome for 14 years and can only communicate through eye movements and uses a wheelchair.
- Where
- Cribbin was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
- In court
- Judge Paul Coffey approved a settlement in the civil medical negligence action against the HSE and Beaumont Hospital.
- Sentence
- The settlement includes an interim €3.7 million payout, reflects a one-third discount, and is without an admission of liability.
- Other details
- All claims were denied by the defendants.
- The case is to return in 2030 for a future care assessment.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe woman has been living with locked-in syndrome for 14 years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLynsey Cribbin was 21 in 2012 when she was brought to hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe woke up with a pounding headache, feeling unwell and had nausea. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe can only communicate through eye movements and uses a wheelchair. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn MRI was carried out at Cavan General Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe MRI was allegedly misinterpreted and an acute infarction requiring immediate treatment was not identified. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was an alleged failure to interpret the MRI scan appropriately. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was an alleged failure to diagnose an acute stroke. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was an alleged failure to recommend an adequate treatment plan at Beaumont Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whatIt was claimed there was an alleged failure to advise Cavan General Hospital that Cribbin should be seen by a stroke doctor. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was brought to Cavan General Hospital. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe is from Finea, Co Cavan. (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenShe presented at Cavan General Hospital on 19 January 2012. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Paul Coffey approved the settlement. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe settlement includes an interim €3.7 million payout. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe settlement reflects a one-third discount and is without an admission of liability. (irishtimes.com)
- otherAll the claims were denied. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Aug2026Woman with locked-in syndrome settles action against HSE and Beaumont Hospital with €3.7m interim payout
Reports the High Court approval of a €3.7 million interim settlement in a civil medical negligence action, with the case to return in 2030 for future care assessment.
victim, Lynsey Cribbin, 36, female, irish (judged from name)Lynsey Cribbin