A patient is in the care of a medical professional, and that person is expected to meet certain standards. If they don’t, it can be devastating for patients who are injured or lose loved ones as a result of poor care. If you believe your medical treatment has been negligent, it’s important to know your rights so that you can seek compensation and justice for yourself or your loved one. This guide will explain what constitutes medical negligence in Ireland, how the legal system works, and what types of compensation are available to those who have been wronged by healthcare providers.
About Medical Negligence
Medical negligence is a form of professional negligence, which occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care required in their field. This can occur at any stage during treatment, from diagnosis to surgery or even aftercare.
Medical negligence can be caused by the actions or inaction of health professionals (doctors and nurses) themselves, but it can also arise from their staff or equipment used during treatment.
Medical Malpractice Law in Ireland
Medical malpractice is a term that describes the legal action that can be taken against a medical professional for failing to provide reasonable care. The difference between medical negligence and malpractice lies in the amount of care required by the patient’s condition, as well as whether or not there was any negligence on behalf of the doctor or nurse in question.
To determine whether or not your injury was caused by negligence, you must take into account four factors:
- Timeframe – Did it occur within an acceptable timeframe?
- Knowledge – Was there sufficient knowledge available at the time? If not, was there an opportunity for more information to be collected beforehand?
- Skill level – Did they perform their task with skill and expertise appropriate for their field?
The Effects of Medical Negligence
Medical negligence is not just about physical harm. It can also result in emotional trauma, financial loss and other negative effects on your health.
If you have been injured by medical negligence, you may experience:
- Physical injuries that require medical treatment or surgery
- Ongoing pain and disability
- Depression or anxiety disorders caused by the incident (post-traumatic stress disorder)
What is the compensation process?
The compensation process is a long and complicated one. It involves several stages of legal action, which means that you will need to retain the services of an experienced solicitor who can help you through it all.
Your solicitor will work with you from the beginning, helping you decide whether or not to pursue legal action against your healthcare provider and advising on whether they are liable for their mistake(s). They will also continue working with you throughout the rest of this process:
- Drafting a letter of claim (previously known as issuing proceedings) – This letter informs your healthcare provider that they have been named in court papers because they have failed in their duty of care towards one or more patients;
- Negotiating with insurers – If needed;
- Representing clients at settlement meetings – These meetings take place between solicitors representing both sides before trial begins;
Legal help for Irish patients who have been injured due to medical negligence
If you’re an Irish patient who has been injured due to medical negligence, then you may be eligible for compensation from the party at fault. To discuss your case with an experienced medical negligence solicitor in Ireland and find out how much money you could receive, call us on 01-638 3352 today!
Patients who have been victimized by a healthcare provider can take legal action.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a healthcare provider, it’s important that you know your legal rights. A medical negligence solicitor in Ireland can help you take legal action against the negligent party.
In order to find an expert medical negligence solicitor in Ireland, look for these qualities:
- Experience – An experienced lawyer will know what steps need to be taken and how long they will take, which can make all the difference when it comes time to settle out of court or go before a judge.
- Knowledge – A knowledgeable attorney will be able to explain everything from your case’s chances at trial through its final resolution in plain language so that even non-lawyers can understand what’s happening with their case at every step along the way.
Conclusion
We hope you have found this information helpful. If you think that you may have a case against a medical provider in Ireland, we encourage you to contact us today at our Dublin office. We will assess your situation and advise on next steps with no obligation on your part.