Negligence in A & E Departments
Reasons for A&E Negligence claims
The most common reasons for Accident & Emergency (A&E) negligence claims are:
- Failure to diagnose and treat a fracture
- Inappropriate or sub-standard treatment of fractures
- Failure to perform and/or correctly interpret diagnostic blood tests
- Failure to order scans or x-rays, and/or wrong interpretation
- Failure to recognise when someone is likely to harm himself
- Failure to recognise the seriousness of a patient's condition, resulting in the wrong diagnosis
- Inadequate cleaning, suturing and dressing of wounds
How do A&E mistakes occur?
Health care in Ireland is generally of a high standard. But sometimes things can go wrong.
A & E departments in general hospitals are extremely busy. Nobody can plan the rate and type of cases that come through the door every day. Often, patients are seen by overworked and pressurised staff in crowded conditions.
While there are now more A&E consultants overseeing these departments, junior doctors, or doctors-in-training, make up the bulk of the workforce. Health authorities and hospitals are required to provide adequate supervision for doctors-in-training, as it is important that they "learn on the job".
Mistakes do occur. In emergency departments, it's often the case that inexperienced doctors are expected to diagnose and treat numerous medical conditions in pressurised circumstances, without having the appropriate senior doctor available.
It's no surprise, then, that many patients feel their treatment was substandard or make a medical negligence claim for compensation.
A&E Negligence claims
Claims arising from incidents in A&E are generally taken against a hospital or health authority, rather than the individual doctor or nurse.
Making a claim
If you feel you have been injured due to lack of care, or poor judgement, please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or by filling out an Online Enquiry Form. A solicitor who specialises in Accident and Emergency Negligence will contact you to advise you of your legal rights and entitlements.
When you consult Malcomson Law, we will give you free advice on Medical Negligence law. We will help you find out whether you have a good case, how to go about making a claim, and the potential value of your claim. This free consultation does not put you under an obligation. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further, you won't be charged for the initial advice.