Understanding Medical Negligence in Ireland

Medical negligence, also known as medical malpractice, occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide a standard level of care, resulting in harm or injury to a patient. In Ireland, medical negligence cases are taken seriously, and individuals have the right to seek legal recourse if they believe they have been victims of negligence while under medical care. In this guide, we’ll explore the concept of medical negligence in Ireland, including its definition, common examples, legal considerations, and the process for seeking accountability.

Understanding Medical Negligence
Medical negligence refers to a breach of duty of care by a healthcare professional that results in harm, injury, or loss to a patient. It can occur in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. Examples of medical negligence may include misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, birth injuries, and failure to obtain informed consent.

Legal Considerations
In Ireland, medical negligence cases are governed by both common law and statutory law. To establish a claim for medical negligence, the following elements must be proven:

Duty of Care: The healthcare professional owed a duty of care to the patient.
Breach of Duty: The healthcare professional breached the duty of care by failing to meet the required standard of care.
Causation: The breach of duty caused harm, injury, or loss to the patient.
Damages: The patient suffered damages as a result of the breach of duty.