5 Steps involved in a medical negligence claim in Ireland

4 minute read

Medical negligence cases are taken by individuals who believe that a hospital, medical organisation and/or treating clinician has failed to provide a reasonable standard of care (negligence) and but for this substandard care, they would not have suffered an injury (causation).

While no two cases are the same, there are a number of steps involved if you think you have suffered an injury as a result of medical negligence.

1. Know your time limits

The Statute of Limitations for medical negligence in Ireland is two years from the date of your injury, less than one day. While there are limited exceptions to this rule, it is, where possible, always best to act within this time limit. Your solicitor will be able to offer further advice on this.

To learn more, read: How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim in Ireland?

2. Contact a medical negligence solicitor

It is important to contact a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible and they will take a detailed account of what happened. It is also useful if you have prepared your own chronological statement setting out what happened, together with the relevant dates and the names of the various hospitals/clinician involved.

Augustus Cullen Law’s medical negligence department is one of the most respected in Ireland, having been involved in countless landmark cases. If you need advice, Contact Us today.

3. Gathering your medical records

Under the General Data Protection Legislation, you are entitled to a complete copy of your medical records and these will be vital in investigating a possible claim for medical negligence. You can request a copy of your medical records from the relevant hospitals/clinicians directly or you can ask your solicitor to do this on your behalf. If your solicitor is taking up your medical records, they will require a letter of authority and photographic identification.

4. Getting an expert medical report

The High Court and the Supreme Court in Ireland have held that it is unethical to issue medical negligence proceedings without a supportive medical expert report. Once your solicitor has reviewed your medical records, they will be in a position to determine what kind of medical expert will be required in your particular case. Because Ireland is small and the majority of members of the medical community will know each other, experts instructed to prepare medical reports will be based in the UK, to ensure independence and impartiality from Irish clinicians.

As both elements of negligence and causation must be proven, it may be necessary to obtain several reports.

Over the course of the proceedings, it may also be necessary to obtain further condition and prognosis reports to determine how you have been affected by your injuries and how the same will affect you in the future. While it is usually possible for liability reports to be prepared on basis of your records alone, a condition and prognosis report may require a physical examination or consultation.

5. Issuing proceedings

Once you have obtained supportive expert reports with regard to negligence and causation, your solicitor will instruct a barrister to draft a Personal Injuries Summons. This will set out what happened and provide details of the injuries suffered. Proceedings are usually issued in the High Court in cases involving medical negligence. A letter of claim will also be sent to the hospital/clinician involved and the Personal Injuries Summons will be served upon them in due course.

What happens after the Personal Injuries Summons has been served will differ from case to case. The Defendants might concede liability and enter into negotiations/mediation to settle the matter. Alternatively, they may fully defend the claim which can result in a court case where a Judge will hear evidence from you, your experts and the Defendant’s experts before determining liability and how much is to be awarded, should they ultimately find in your favour.

Speak with a medical negligence solicitor today

If you feel that you have suffered as a result of negligent healthcare, we might be able to help. Visit Medical Negligence Claims to learn more or simply Contact Us for a no obligation exploratory chat with a solicitor who dedicates themselves to securing justice for those injured through clinical negligence.

In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.