Delayed Treatment Claims

Public patients, who are unable to get swift private medical care, can be subjected to delays in their treatment arising from the overburdened public health system in Ireland. The rise in the population has not been met with increased public medical services. A tragic consequence of this is that in some instances, a delay in treatment can result in unwanted consequences for a patient.

Delayed treatments can give rise to a number of litigation claims that can be considered by patients, these include:

• A worsening of the medical condition
• Increased suffering and discomfort by the patient
• The delay might impact in a negative way the actual treatment.
• The emotional impact on the patient that could trigger depression.
• In serious cases, create life-threatening consequences.
• Loss of earnings
• Death

What Action Can be Taken?

Initially, the matter will need to be explored and the persons solicitor will help with this. It is helpful to write out the chronology of events as this can provide facts clarity also. This will assist the client and their solicitor in the process for determining the strength of a possible medical negligence case.

Medical negligence happens when a healthcare provider fails to provide the standard of care expected in their role which results in harm or injury to a patient. To succeed in medical negligence case, certain legal elements must be proven, such as, there must be a duty of care owed to the patient, a breach of that duty, causation (the breach led directly to harm), and damages ie injury or loss.