A boy who was born with cerebral palsy in Waterford Regional Hospital has had an €8.5 million personal injury* claim approved by the High Court.

David and his team acted for me in an accident claim where he achieved an excellent result at the hearing in the high court.

A conference on “Patients’ Rights, Access to Justice and the Case for Candour” has heard that patients, doctors and health managers would all benefit from a health system that requires that requires healthcare professionals to disclose medical accidents promptly.

The conference has heard that there is a compelling case for a legal “duty of candour” for victims of medical negligence. The current adversarial approach to medical negligence and complaints prolongs pain and suffering for families, as they are forced to fight the system to win compensation for their injured loved ones. It has been suggested that a more open system whereby healthcare professionals would reveal at the earliest opportunity when a medical accident takes place, would be benefit patients and doctors.

The conference heard from Peter Walsh, chief executive of Action against Medical Accidents. Mr Walsh said “someone who goes into a hospital and through no fault of their own has their health compromised and their quality of life diminished. The current system of ‘defend and deny’ is undermining these individuals”. Patients should be entitled to be told at the earliest opportunity by their doctor if a medical accident occurred and how it happened. Instead of this happening, a defensive adversarial approach is taken by the healthcare professionals which ruins the doctor-patient relationship.

If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury as a result of a medical procedure, one of our experienced personal injury solicitors would be happy to meet with you and advise you of your options.

*In contentious business a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

Personal Injury* Solicitors based in Dublin

We are a general practice law firm in Dublin, which specialises in Personal Injury* Law. We have over 35 years experience advising clients who have suffered personal injury from accidents. We advise clients in personal injury* claims all over Ireland.

A bin man who feared he would go blind when he burned his eyes with hot oil after a cable broke as the rear of the rubbish truck has been award €15,565 in damages from the Circuit Court.

The High Court has approved two settlements arising from two separate High Court personal injury* actions taken on behalf of the injured children against two childcare facilities.

In 2012, there was an increase of 12% in the amount of complaints to the Medical Council against registered doctors.

The information contained in the Medical Council annual report, stated that it received 35 new complaints per month in 2012 compared to 32 complaints in the previous year. A total of 423 new complaints were received in 2012, representing a 12 per cent increase from 2011. Of the 423 complaints, the Medical Council made decisions 396 complaints and 56 complaints were referred to the Fitness to Practice Committee for inquiry.

The Fitness to Practice Committee held 41 inquiries over 100 days during 2012 and of the 41 inquiries the following decisions were made:

• Six doctors have had conditions attached to their registration

• Two doctors had their registration cancelled

• Four doctors were suspended

• Eleven doctors received advice/admonishment/censure

• Eleven doctors were found not guilty and a further 14 provided undertakings to the Fitness to Practice Committee

• Four reports are waiting to go before council for consideration in relation to sanction

If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury as a result of a doctors negligence, one of our personal injury solicitors would be delighted to speak with you. We will listen to your story and advise you of your options.

A boy who suffered brain damage at his birth has settled his High Court medical negligence* action for damages.

A member of the senior Laois hurling panel has been awarded €20,000 in compensation following personal injuries* he suffered as a result of a road traffic accident that occurred four years ago.

A former Garda who suffered a broken nose in a head butting incident has been awarded €27,400 in damages by the High Court.