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Medical Negligence Solicitors in Carrick-on-Shannon
A bad medical outcome is not automatically negligence. Negligence arises where the standard of care falls short, through a missed diagnosis, a surgical error or a medication mistake, and avoidable harm results.
Carol McCormack advises clients on medical negligence matters in Carrick-on-Shannon and across County Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo, and Longford. You speak directly with the solicitor handling your case from your very first conversation.
Medical Negligence Claims We Advise On
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
A missed or delayed diagnosis can mean a condition progressed further than it should have, or that a patient received treatment for something they did not have.
Establishing a claim requires showing that a reasonable body of medical practitioners in the same speciality would have reached the correct diagnosis in those circumstances. The line between a difficult diagnosis and a negligent one is not always obvious, and medical evidence is needed to assess it properly.
Surgical Negligence
Surgical negligence matters can involve how a procedure was carried out, how a complication was managed, or whether the patient was properly informed of the risks beforehand.
Informed consent is a specific legal requirement in Ireland. Where a patient was not told about a material risk that later arose, this may be relevant to a claim regardless of whether the surgery itself was performed correctly.
Medication and Prescription Errors
Medication errors can occur at the point of prescription, when medication is dispensed, or during administration in a hospital or care setting.
Where a patient has received the wrong medication, an incorrect dose, or has not been monitored properly for adverse effects, there may be grounds for a claim. Responsibility can rest with the prescribing clinician, the pharmacist, or the nursing staff involved, depending on where the error occurred.
Birth Injury and Maternity Negligence
These are among the most serious medical negligence matters. They can arise from concerns about monitoring during labour, delays in performing a caesarean section, management of complications during delivery, or post-natal care.
Maternity records, CTG traces, and the clinical decisions made at each stage of labour and delivery are typically central to how these cases are assessed. Where a claim involves a child, specific time limit provisions apply that differ from those applicable to adults.
Dental Negligence
Dental negligence matters can involve extractions, root canal treatment, implants, orthodontic procedures, or a failure to diagnose a condition such as oral cancer.
The question is whether the standard of care provided fell below what a competent dental practitioner would have provided, not simply whether the outcome was unsatisfactory. Dental records and X-rays are usually relevant, and an independent expert opinion is often required.
Hospital and Healthcare Negligence
Where treatment was provided in a public hospital or by a HSE-employed clinician, the State Claims Agency typically handles the defence of any claim on behalf of the relevant health body.
This is an important procedural distinction from claims against private practitioners or private hospitals, and it affects how the matter progresses. Carol McCormack can advise on which process applies based on where your treatment was received.
Every case is different
which is why every client receives straightforward legal advice tailored to their individual circumstances.
How a Medical Negligence Matter Is Assessed
Medical negligence cases require more than an account of what happened. Medical records, test results, treatment history, and in many cases an independent medical opinion are all part of building a proper picture of the matter. Carol McCormack can review the information available, advise on the legal considerations, and explain what evidence may be needed before any decision is made about how to proceed. The purpose of the initial advice is to help you understand your position. There is no obligation to take any further steps.
Medical Records and Evidence
The records relevant to a medical negligence matter will depend on the circumstances. They can include:
- GP and hospital records
- Test and scan results
- Prescriptions and medication records
- Surgical or procedure records
- Referral letters
- Consultation notes
- Records of follow-up treatment
You have a legal right to request your medical records. Carol McCormack can advise on what records are likely to be relevant and the appropriate steps to obtain them.
The Injuries Resolution Board Does Not Apply to Medical Negligence
This is an important distinction that many people are not aware of. The Injuries Resolution Board, which assesses most personal injury claims in Ireland, specifically excludes medical negligence. Claims arising from the provision of health services, medical or surgical procedures, and medical advice or treatment fall outside its remit.
The process for a medical negligence matter is therefore different from a road traffic or workplace accident claim. Legal advice will help clarify the appropriate route based on the facts of your case.
Speaking Directly With Your Solicitor
Medical negligence matters often involve detailed and personal medical information that can be difficult to explain to someone who was not there. As a sole practitioner, Carol McCormack handles each matter directly. The solicitor you speak to when you first make contact is the solicitor advising you throughout. There is no handover to other staff once the initial conversation is complete. You will not need to explain your circumstances to multiple people. Your case is handled by one solicitor who knows the details from the outset.
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Talk to a Medical Negligence Solicitor in Carrick-on-Shannon
If you have concerns about medical treatment or care you received, contact Carol McCormack solicitors in carrick on shannon to discuss your circumstances. Many people who get in touch are not certain whether what happened to them amounts to negligence. That is exactly what the first conversation is for. You will receive an honest assessment of the legal considerations and leave with a clearer understanding of your position. You will speak directly with Carol McCormack, not a member of staff.
FAQs
Medical negligence generally concerns a failure in the standard of care provided to a patient that results in injury or harm. Whether a particular situation amounts to medical negligence depends on the circumstances and the relevant medical and legal evidence.
Medical negligence matters can involve complex medical and legal issues. If you have concerns about the treatment or care you received, obtaining legal advice can help you understand the relevant considerations and the options that may be available.
Under the Irish Statute of Limitations, the general time limit for medical negligence is 2 years. However, this 2-year clock begins on the ‘Date of Knowledge’ the date you first knew (or ought to have known) that your injury was attributable to negligent medical care. For claims involving children, the 2-year period only starts when the child turns 18.
Yes. As a sole practitioner, Carol McCormack deals directly with clients. You can contact the practice to discuss your circumstances and the legal advice you require.
Contact Carol McCormack Solicitors for Medical Negligence Claims
If you have suffered an injury due to medical negligence and would like advice about your legal options, contact us today. Based in Carrick-on-Shannon and serving clients across Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Longford.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.