Hospital issues an apology to Mary’s family following her passing

3 minute read

Mary was visiting Ireland from her home in Texas in the United States.

Although she was 73 years old, Mary was active and decided to spend the day hillwalking. Unfortunately, she had a fall and suffered a head injury.

Mary attended the Emergency Department and informed them that she was on warfarin, a blood thinning medicine, for a separate medical condition. She was triaged but a CT scan was not performed. Nor did the hospital do an international normalised ratio (INR) test – a blood test that measures how long it takes for the blood to clot.

Mary was kept in the waiting room for around 9 hours until her condition deteriorated. At this stage a CT scan revealed multiple intracranial bleeds. This was a critical moment.

Sadly, Mary passed away the following day.

Mary’s daughter contacted our clinical negligence department

Mary’s daughter, Roisin, was understandably distraught by the untimely passing of her mother. With a view to seek justice for her mother and her family, she approached Augustus Cullen Law.

Roisin had a consultation with Eoin Collins who provided initial advice and explained the process. Roisin instructed us with the case.

Eoin obtained an expert report from an Emergency Department Consultant. He also obtained a neurosurgery report confirming that Mary would likely have survived if given vitamin K and medication to reverse the effects of warfarin.

An apology was read to the court as her family settled the High Court action

Eoin issued proceedings against the HSE.

However, the matter settled with an apology before a defence was served.

Rest in peace, Mary Mulligan.

A letter from Cavan General hospital general manager Su-Zann O’Callaghan said: “On behalf of Cavan General Hospital I wish to sincerely apologise for the shortcomings in the care your mother received at the hospital which we acknowledge fell below…

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The case was before the court for the division of the statutory €35,000 mental distress payment. During this, the apology was read to the court.

A letter from the hospital’s general manager said:

“On behalf of Cavan General Hospital I wish to sincerely apologise for the shortcomings in the care your mother received at the hospital which we acknowledge fell below the expected standard of care.

I acknowledge and apologise unreservedly to you and your family for the ongoing distress and suffering this has caused. We wish to reassure you and your family that the hospital strives at all times to optimise patient care and we will continue to ensure that best practice is at the forefront of our clinical service to all patients.”

Approving the division of the solatium, Mr Justice Paul Coffey conveyed his deepest sympathy to Mary’s family.

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