Compassionate, expert legal representation for victims of medical negligence across Ireland, including HSE claims, misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and birth injuries.
Key Difference: Unlike most personal injury claims, medical negligence claims do not go through the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB). They are pursued directly through the courts. Expert medical evidence is essential. Contact us today for specialist advice.
Medical negligence — also known as clinical negligence — occurs when a healthcare professional, hospital, or healthcare institution fails to provide the expected standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. In Ireland, you must demonstrate that:
Our medical negligence solicitors handle a wide range of clinical negligence claims, including:
Cancer, stroke, cardiac events, infections — late or missed diagnosis can be life-changing.
Wrong-site surgery, retained instruments, anaesthetic errors, and post-operative negligence.
Cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, and other birth trauma resulting from negligent delivery or obstetric care.
Incorrect medication, wrong dosage, or failure to warn about drug interactions.
Failure to refer, inadequate examination, or inappropriate treatment by a GP or specialist.
Treatment carried out without proper explanation of risks, alternatives, or obtaining consent.
You can bring a medical negligence claim against the Health Service Executive (HSE) for substandard care received in any public hospital, clinic, or health centre in Ireland. The HSE's own liability figures show outstanding healthcare claim liabilities rose from €2.8 billion in 2018 to €4.6 billion in 2022, reflecting the serious and widespread nature of medical negligence in the Irish healthcare system.
Visit GM Solicitors for further expert guidance on medical negligence law in Ireland.
| Stage | What Happens | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Review facts and gather medical records | 1–2 weeks |
| Expert Medical Report | Independent specialist evaluates your case | 2–4 months |
| Letter of Claim | Formal notification to the responsible party | Immediately after report |
| Negotiation & Mediation | Attempt to reach a fair settlement | 3–12 months |
| Court Proceedings | If settlement fails, case proceeds to court | 2–4 years total |
The standard limitation period for medical negligence claims in Ireland is 2 years from the date you became aware of the negligence and its connection to your injury (the "date of knowledge"). Exceptions exist for:
You need independent expert medical evidence confirming that a competent healthcare professional would not have acted as the defendant did, and that this failure directly caused your harm. Our solicitors work with leading independent medical experts to build the strongest possible case.
Compensation can include general damages for pain and suffering, special damages for all financial losses (past and future), care costs, loss of earnings, and where injuries are catastrophic, awards can exceed €1 million.
The majority of medical negligence claims settle through negotiation or mediation without the need for a full court hearing. However, where a fair settlement is not forthcoming, we have the expertise to represent you robustly in the High Court.
Yes. Medical negligence claims can be brought against private hospitals, clinics, and individual practitioners, just as they can against the HSE and public hospitals.
Our compassionate medical negligence team offers a free initial consultation. We operate on a No Win, No Fee basis and can fund independent expert medical reports.
Free Confidential Consultation Call 353 1 903 6407