Medical Negligence

Person in teal scrubs with crossed arms, stethoscope, and wristwatch.

Specialised Medical Negligence Solicitors

Maurice Leahy Wade Solicitors are specialised medical negligence * solicitors based in Swords County Dublin Ireland. Medical negligence* (also known as clinical negligence) is a term used to describe a situation where a patient sustains personal injury * as a result of an error made by a medical practitioner/professional.


In most cases, medical professionals are dedicated, diligent and practice in a safe manner. This ensures that the medical treatment you are receiving is to the highest of standards.

HOW DO MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS* ARISE?

Medical negligence claims * can occur under different circumstances. Some examples of medical negligence include:


  • Delay in diagnosing an illness or injury
  • Misdiagnosis of an illness or injury
  • Errors during a surgical procedure
  • Error in the prescription/dispensing of medicine
  • Substandard care of the patient
  • Substandard hospital/clinical hygiene leading to contraction of an illness
  • Incorrect/inaccurate test results
  • Substandard pre surgical care – non-communication of risks involved with procedures
  • Foreign bodies and or surgical instruments retained by a patient following a surgical procedure
  • Aesthetic awareness while under general anaesthetic during a surgical procedure

Medical practitioners that may be attributed to the negligence of various injuries and illnesses are listed below and include:

  • Doctor
  • Nurses
  • Medical consultants
  • Surgeons
  • Plastic surgeons
  • Pharmacists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Opticians
  • Dentists
  • Psychologists and lab technicians.
  • The list can also include various members of a medical facility, either in the private or public sector.
Surgeon wearing protective gear in operating room, focused on a procedure.

Making a Negligence Claim?

The process on how to make a claim for medical negligence * in Ireland is different when compared to other personal injury claims where you are obliged to make the application to the personal injuries assessment board.

Medical negligence claims * on the other hand, are brought straight to court and are not assessed by the Personal Injuries Board.


If you feel you may have been subjected to negligence by the medical profession, you can take the following steps to proceed with your medical negligence claim *

  • Record the date and time of the incident and the details of the type of care received.
  • Retain any medical records relating to the incident
  • Take a photo of any visible injuries sustained as a result.
  • Gather any additional relevant information on the medical procedure that was carried out incorrectly .


*Contact a Medical Negligence Solicitor

  • 1. Speak to a Medical Negligence Solicitor *

    Maurice Leahy Wade Solicitors look after the legal side of things while our client looks after themselves and focuses on getting better. When making a medical negligence claim * it is advisable to have a medical negligence solicitor *  assist you throughout the claim process * . 


    Medical negligence * is a very complex topic in Irish Law and attempting to proceed alone without the help of a solicitor may result in you missing some crucial steps. A clinical negligence solicitor * can take control of legal proceedings while you focus on recovery. Your Solicitor can then guide you through the next steps to ensure that the claim procedure * runs as smoothly as possible for you.

  • 2. Medical Records

    The solicitor dealing with your medical negligence claim * will look for information in relation to your case. It is important to have relevant medical records when looking to prove that medical negligence has occurred *.


    This will assist you and your medical experts in establishing negligence.


    Your medical negligence solicitor * will put forward that an independent medical expert in the relevant area of expertise to review your medical records. This is to attempt to determine whether you have indeed been subject to substandard medical care and medical negligence *. Your injuries/illness will also be assessed to determine if they could have been avoided.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO BRING A CLAIM FOR MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE?

    For medical neglect claims * it is two years less a day following the date of the incident or 2 years less a day following the date that a person found out that their illness or injuries were a result of medical negligence *.

  • MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE * INVOLVING CHILDREN

    In an unfortunate incident where a child is subject to medical negligence *, the process of making a claim differed from that of an adult. A minor can bring a claim forward in the first two years following their 18th birthday.  However in these cases where possible these cases should be brought by the child’s parent or guardian.