Hospitals in Ireland are seriously exposed to hospital negligence claims. In 2008, there were an astounding 83,661 adverse incidents recorded in hospitals in Ireland, according to data supplied by the State Claims Agency, which runs a clinical indemnity scheme for hospitals in Ireland. In total, the agency paid out nearly €50 million for hospital and medical negligence claims in Ireland, with the average award being €63,000.
What is Hospital Negligence?
A hospital in Ireland can be held liable for the negligence of its employees, including their doctors, nurses and technicians. Hospital malpractice occurs not only in hospital wards but in day surgery and outpatient clinics.
Hospital negligence happens for many reasons, which can include inadequate training, poor documentation, failure to keep up with modern techniques, misreading of medical charts or drug information sheets. Surprisingly, over 40% of hospital negligence incidents in Ireland arise from slips and falls. Treatment incidents are perhaps the most disturbing, where for example, a surgical swab is left in a patient’s body after an operation.
What action should I take if I suspect Hospital Negligence?
If you or a loved one have been the unfortunate victim of hospital negligence that has left you with some form of injury, you could be entitled to make a compensation claim. However, hospital negligence claims are often highly complex cases, and even the Injuries Board of Ireland do not deal with these claims, because they require such a high level of expert legal knowledge and experience.
Our specialist legal team of solicitors has many years of experience in dealing with hospital and medical negligence claims. Our solicitors can therefore provide you with the expert advice and guidance you need. Talk to us now by calling our legal claims helpline.
If you cannot speak now please request a solicitor to to call you back by filling in our form at the foot of this page.
Our Promise:
- 100% Speak to an expert hospital negligence solicitor
- 100% Honest advice without obligation
- 100% Provide a practical listening ear
- 100% Helpful and courteous at all times
- 100% Impartial & accurate advice
- 100% No pressure
- 100% No legal jargon
What can I expect?
When you call us, you will be put through to a solicitor who is very experienced in dealing with hospital negligence in Ireland. Our solicitor will listen to you as you tell them about your incident in complete confidence.
We can advise you quickly if your case is worth pursuing, what may be involved in the claims process, and most importantly what you need to do next.
Right now, the easiest next step is to call our legal claims helpline, without obligation. If you cannot speak to us now, simply fill in the contact form to request a call from us at any time that is convenient for you.
Example Compensation Awards
Our legal team can also tell you the general level of compensation for your claim, and if there are likely to be any costs involved. The State Claims Agency says that the average hospital negligence award in Ireland is currently €63,000, but depending on the severity of the case, settlements can be far higher, for example:
In May 2010, the family of Miriam Jackson of Navan in County Meath, received a €564,000 hospital negligence settlement following her death in September 2004 in Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, two weeks after being admitted. (The hospital admitted liability in the case.)
In April 2010, Evan Doyle, of Cartron View, Sligo, was awarded a €4.5 million compensation payment for cerebral palsy that was the result of alleged hospital negligence during his birth at Sligo General Hospital. (The Health Service Executive did not admit liability in the case.)
Right now, the easiest next step is to call our legal claims advice helpline without obligation.
If you cannot speak to us now, simply fill in the contact form to request a call from us at any time that is convenient for you.