At the recent ‘Pathways to Progress’ conference for lawyers, medical professionals and patients in Ireland, experts in this field discussed the statistics on deaths caused by medical error in Ireland, and calling the small number of such cases taken “the tip of a very murky iceberg.”. They identified the most common types of cases as those which relate to surgery (36%), medicine (24%), maternity (23%) and gynaecology (7.5%). Continue reading 1,000 Deaths Due To Medical Negligence In Ireland Every Year
Category Archives: Medical Negligence
Surgical Error: What Could Go Wrong?
Medical professionals are bound by an obligation to protect their patients and uphold high standards of care, and most of the time this serves to ensure excellent outcomes. Unfortunately, however, there are occasions when standards slip below those considered acceptable, and problems such as surgical errors arise.
How Long Do I Have To Bring My Medical Negligence Claim?
If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an injury through medical negligence, your priority will be to recover from the physical and mental effects of your ordeal, and you may not think about seeking legal advice for several months. Many people are not aware, however, that there is a time limit on medical negligence claims.
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Have You Or A Member Of Your Family Suffered Medical Negligence?
Did you know that all medical professionals in Ireland are bound by a code of conduct that governs the way in which they carry out their practice? The law that regulates medical professionals is intended to standardise treatment and keep patients safe, and when this law is breached, patients are entitled to make a compensation claim for medical negligence.
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Time Limits May Affect Your Medical Negligence Claim
The Statute of Limitations sets a two-year time limit on medical negligence cases, within which it is possible to bring a case. If legal proceedings are not commenced within this period, a case will not be allowed to proceed, regardless of the injuries sustained. However, there are some circumstances in which there may be flexibility regarding this limit.
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Medical Negligence And Your GP
If the care and treatment you receive from your GP is below an acceptable standard you may be entitled to bring a case for medical negligence against him/her.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE: THE DANGERS OF SEPSIS
WHAT IS SEPSIS?
Sepsis is one of the most common causes of death of patients in intensive care units, and is the result of a massive immune system response to a bacterial infection that enters the bloodstream.
MESH SURGERY: WHAT CAN GO WRONG?
Mesh surgery is a complex procedure that involves treating a prolapse or incontinence in women by inserting mesh to support the internal organs within the pelvis. This is a controversial procedure that many experts believe to be out-dated but can still be performed in most public hospitals.
MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE: KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS
Medical professionals in Ireland, as in many countries across the world, are bound by codes of conduct that regulate practice and care within their profession. These are in place to ensure that patients receive appropriate diagnoses and treatment regardless of their location, condition or personal circumstances. When medical care falls below these standards, it may be classed as medical negligence.
INJURIES IN CHILDBIRTH: POST NATAL INFECTION
With modern medicine maternal health in childbirth is usually not a cause for concern. Occasionally, however, a woman may develop an infection after giving birth, or even a miscarriage, or loss of pregnancy. An infection can usually be treated with antibiotics, but if it is not diagnosed early on, or has progressed or developed within the body, it can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, infertility or even death.
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WHAT CAN GO WRONG DURING A CAESAREAN SECTION?
Childbirth is usually a straightforward natural process that requires little or no medical intervention. However, in some cases, particularly after medical interventions such as induction, labour and birth can end in a caesarean section. This is a serious medical procedure and can result in many unwelcome complications, and if it is performed incorrectly or negligently, may cause lasting injury to the mother.
Continue reading WHAT CAN GO WRONG DURING A CAESAREAN SECTION?
MATERNAL INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING BIRTH: TEARS AND EPISIOTOMIES
There are many problems that can arise for a mother during labour and birth, and some of these may have a lasting and severe impact.
Continue reading MATERNAL INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING BIRTH: TEARS AND EPISIOTOMIES
OPTOMETRIST NEGLIGENCE: WHAT TO KNOW
As medical professionals, optometrists are bound by codes of conduct that dictate acceptable standards of care and competence. As such, any failure to meet these standards that results in injury or harm to a patient may lead to a case for negligence against the optometrist.
ORTHOPAEDIC MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
All medical professionals are subject to rigid codes of practice that exist to protect patients and ensure consistent treatment and patient care. Complications can arise during even the most routine surgery or treatment, and these are usually not the fault of the medical professional in charge.
FATAL INJURY CASES: SUPPPORT FOR YOUR CASE
Bereavement is always difficult to deal with, but if the circumstances of death are complicated, it can be even more challenging. Dealing with the emotional trauma of bereavement, as well as the many practical losses that may follow from the death of someone you love, can be incredibly stressful and often leads to significant problems.
