If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of negligent medical treatment, you may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim in Ireland. Medical negligence claims can arise where a healthcare professional or healthcare provider fails to provide the appropriate standard of care, causing injury, illness or financial loss. Understanding whether you have a valid claim can be difficult, particularly when you are already dealing with the physical, emotional and financial consequences of your injury. Our experienced medical negligence solicitor in Galway can assess your circumstances, explain your legal options and advise you on whether there may be grounds for a claim.
What Is Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence, occurs when a healthcare professional or healthcare provider fails to provide an appropriate standard of care and that failure causes injury or harm. This can arise in many different circumstances, such as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, medication errors, surgical errors, inadequate monitoring, or failures to refer a patient and communicate follow-up care.
However, a poor medical outcome does not automatically mean that medical negligence has occurred, as medical treatment involves recognised risks and complications even when appropriate care has been provided. To establish a medical negligence claim, it is generally necessary to demonstrate that the standard of care provided was inadequate and that this resulted in, or materially contributed to, the injury or loss suffered.
Could You Have a Medical Negligence Claim?
If you believe that your treatment was inadequate, you may be unsure whether you have a medical negligence claim. Each case must be considered on its own facts. Your solicitor will typically need to examine your medical records and other relevant evidence.
Depending on the circumstances, independent medical experts may also be required to assess whether the treatment you received met the appropriate standard of care and whether the alleged negligence caused your injury. The consequences of medical negligence can be significant and may include additional medical treatment, physical pain, psychological injury, loss of earnings, ongoing care requirements and other financial losses. If you have experienced any of these consequences, obtaining advice from an experienced medical negligence solicitor may help you understand your legal options.
What Should You Do if You Suspect Medical Negligence?
If you believe you may have been the victim of medical negligence, keep copies of relevant documents relating to your treatment, such as medical correspondence, appointment records, prescriptions and test results. It can also be helpful to write down what happened, including important dates and the healthcare professionals involved, while the details are still fresh in your mind.
It is important to seek legal advice without unnecessary delay. Medical negligence claims in Ireland are subject to strict statutory time limits, although the applicable limitation period can depend on the circumstances of the individual case. A medical negligence solicitor can review your case and advise you about the relevant deadlines and the evidence required.
Medical Negligence Solicitors in Galway
If you believe that you or a family member has suffered injury or loss because of negligent medical treatment, our medical negligence solicitor in Galway can advise you about your circumstances. We understand that pursuing a medical negligence claim can feel daunting, particularly when you are recovering from an injury or coping with the consequences of medical treatment.
Our role is to explain the legal process clearly, assess the available evidence and advise you on the options available. Every medical negligence case is different. Whether your concern relates to a misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical error, medication error or another aspect of medical care, obtaining early legal advice can help you understand your legal position.
Contact Kerrigan Solicitors
If you have been injured due to negligent medical treatment, our experienced medical negligence solicitor is here to help. We advise clients throughout Galway and across Ireland, providing clear, practical legal advice at every stage of the medical negligence claims process.
We can assess your circumstances, explain your legal options and guide you through the process with clear, practical advice. Contact Kerrigan Solicitors today to arrange a confidential consultation and discuss your legal options.
Telephone: 091 820630
Website: kerrigansolicitors.ie
Email: m.kerrigan@kerrigansolicitors.ie
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.