A settlement has been reached in High Court proceedings arising from the death of Norbert Sheerin following treatment at University Hospital Galway in September 2019.
Martin Kerrigan Solicitor represented Mr Sheerin’s family in relation to the fatal injury claim. The High Court heard that it was alleged Mr Sheerin should have undergone further investigations, including MRI imaging, following his referral to the hospital emergency department by his GP.
Counsel for the family told the court it was their case that, had appropriate investigations and treatment been carried out earlier, a diagnosis of sepsis would have been made and treatment with intravenous antibiotics could have been commenced.
The proceedings further alleged there was a delay in obtaining and acting upon blood test results which showed markers consistent with significant infection and sepsis. It was claimed that there was a failure to properly monitor Mr Sheerin’s condition and a failure to escalate treatment urgently following deterioration in his condition.
The court also heard allegations that there was a failure to diagnose sepsis earlier and a failure to transfer Mr Sheerin for emergency surgical care at an earlier stage.
A postmortem examination later found the primary cause of death to be sepsis.
The settlement was reached without admission of liability by the HSE, and the court heard that a full defence had been delivered in the proceedings.
Medical negligence and sepsis claims can involve complex medical and legal issues, often requiring detailed review of medical records together with independent expert evidence.
Kerrigan Solicitors advises clients throughout Galway and Ireland in relation to medical negligence claims, sepsis negligence claims, fatal injury claims, and delayed diagnosis litigation matters.
Source: Irish Times