Case Studies
Cryptosporidium Contamination – Health Consequences
Below is a virtual case relating to the cryptosporidium outbreak in Galway that we are currently undertaking at Malcomson Law. This is not a real case and no real names are used in this article as we believe it will breach our client's confidentiality.
Background Information
Name: Joe
Sex: Male
Age: 36
Marital Status: Married
Children: 4
Occupation: Until recently he worked as a civil engineer
Joe's Story
On 02 April, 2007, Joe experienced stomach and abdominal cramping which caused him significant concern. Joe is currently receiving treatment for cancer and he was worried that his symptoms were an adverse effect of his illness or a side effect of the treatment that he was receiving.
Immediately, he attended his General Practitioner (GP), who confirmed that his symptoms did not correspond to his illness or his treatment. Yet, his symptoms continued to persist, and Joe's worries increased as his condition deteriorated. He started to suffer severe diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and general malaise, which resulted in the loss of one stone in weight over a three day period.
As a consequence, Joe's GP admitted him to University College Hospital Galway.
As time progressed Joe became more worried that his health may deteriorate further and that he may not recover from the horrific consequences that he was experiencing.
Medical tests were undertaken at the hospital and Joe was diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis - the illness associated with the cryptosporidium parasite. Further analysis determined that the strain of cryptosporidiosis was derived from human faeces. Although Joe's symptoms have improved in the interim period, he still continues to suffer nausea, occasional vomiting, and general malaise. He is concerned that he may not fully recover from the consequences of his exposure to this parasite.
Joe was advised by his medical advisors that cryptosporidiosis was caused by contaminated water that he had consumed in the Galway area.
Joe now wishes to obtain legal advice as to whether it is appropriate to institute proceedings against Galway County Council, Galway City Council, the Minister for the Environment, Ireland and the Attorney General for the consequences of his emotional trauma, physical illnesses and continued loss of quality of life.
Legal Advice
Joe attends Malcomson Law to be informed that they require the following documents, in order to properly advise him regarding any potential legal claim:
- The laboratory test results confirming Joe's diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis
- Joe's medical records from the date of commencement of his illness
- Medical reports from his medical advisers confirming the extent of his illness and the long-term consequences associated with that illness
Joe was advised that if it can be established that the Local Authority and/or the Minister for the Environment were in breach of Section 4 (1) of the European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations, Joe may have a statable cause of action.
Joe instructs his solicitors to issue a letter of claim against all of the potential defendants requesting that they admit liability for his injuries within a period of 14 days. Furthermore, upon default of confirmation of responsibility, that entity would agree to release certain specified documentation relating to the cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Galway to Joe's solicitors within a period of 21 days.
Upon receipt of a reply from the proposed defendants (Galway County Council, Galway City Council, the Minister for the Environment, Ireland and the Attorney General),Joe will consider whether it is appropriate to institute court proceedings based upon the legal advice that he receives from Malcomson Law.
Please note that this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Seeking Health Law Advice
If you believe you may have a legal claim relating to the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Galway please contact Malcomson Law by calling 01 8744422 or complete an Online Enquiry Form. A solicitor who specialises in this area will contact you to advise you of your legal rights and entitlements.
This news section contains stories of interest from publicly available news sources. Where we are representing the clients referred to in the news material we will say so. Where we do not represent individuals or bodies mentioned or quoted, the inclusion of the news story in our news section is not intended nor should it be taken to imply that we act for the individual or body concerned.