Accident and Emergency Claims

Medical Negligence
Accident and Emergency Claims

What We Do

Accident and Emergency Claims

Visiting an emergency room in the first place is an extremely stressful time for a person and this can be even more traumatic when an accident occurs in the emergency room itself. Our job in this type of case is twofold, we will help you get the compensation you deserve to help you carry on with your life after your injury and we will push for an adequate explanation and an honest answer from the medical profession about what happened.*

Helen Coughlan
Medical Negligence Solicitor

Helen Coughlan is a partner and advises on medical negligence*, family law and personal injuries*. Helen is a qualified family mediator and collaborative law practitioner and is Chairperson of the Family and Child Law Committee of the Law Society.

Contact Helen Today

Mistakes in Accident and Emergency rooms happen because hospitals are extremely busy; often patients are seen by overworked staff in pressurised conditions. Doctors are often required to make quick judgment calls, without access to a patient’s medical records.

The most common reasons for Accident and Emergency negligence claims are as follows;

1. Failure to order scans or x-rays and wrong interpretation of these.
2. Failure to recognise the seriousness of a patient’s condition which results in misdiagnosis.
3. Failure to perform or correctly interpret blood tests.
4. Inappropriate treatment of fractures.
5. Inadequate cleaning and dressing of wounds.

A study carried out by the Clinical Indemnity Scheme has concluded that emergency medicine is responsible for 15% of all medical negligence claims. From 2002 to 2008 there were 203 medical negligence claims for the speciality of emergency medicine. Of the claims that were settled, 59% were diagnosis-related with 94% of these categorised as a result of failure to diagnose.

The value of your medical negligence claim is assessed by taking into account the following;

1. The injuries you have sustained.
2. The cost of your treatment including consultations with your doctor and medication.
3. The permanence or otherwise of your injuries.
4. Your medical history and records.
5. Impairment or loss of quality of life.
6. Loss of Earnings.

If you have been unfortunate enough to be a victim of medical negligence in an accident and emergency room, the following are some tips;

1. Act quickly. You should contact us immediately as there is a time limit and you can’t take a medical negligence claim after this time has passed.
2. Prepare a diary of events. This should include the hospital in which you were a patient, the name of the doctor who treated you, the treatment you had, what was said to you, the medication you were prescribed and the dates you were in the accident and emergency room.
3. You should obtain all your medical files and records from the hospital in which you were a patient. We will then professionally examine the details and obtain an independent expert medical opinion to see if you have a claim.
4. There may be an effective complaints procedure within the hospital and this can be an invaluable source of additional information. It is important that this complaints procedure is requested from the hospital before you commence proceedings.
5. Make sure you keep a note of all the expenses incurred by you as a result of your injury.

We understand that going through the process of taking a medical negligence claim can be very daunting and that is why we are here to listen to you, advise you and support you through the claims process.

Have You Experienced Medical Negligence?
Let the Experts Stand By You.

At Patrick J Farrell & Company Solicitors, we understand the profound impact medical negligence can have on your life. With a legacy founded by Patrick J. Farrell and carried forward by a dedicated team, we have been advocates for justice for over four decades. Our commitment to putting our clients’ interests first, combined with our extensive legal expertise, makes us the ideal partners in your pursuit of justice.

From the moment you walk through our doors to the resolution of your case, you’ll be treated with the utmost courtesy, respect, and understanding. Choose us – where your well-being is our top priority. Reach out to us today and let our experienced solicitors guide you every step of the way.

Talk to a Medical Negligence Solicitor