Specialist Dublin-based medical negligence solicitors handling claims across Ireland. Expert representation for misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries, and more.
"Gary Matthews Solicitors made a daunting process simple and stress-free... best possible result." – Former Client, Dublin
Many delay seeking legal advice due to fear, emotional strain, or cost worries. We offer expert, compassionate guidance at every step. When you are treated by a medical professional, you are entitled to expect a "Duty of Care" from that medical professional who you hold responsible for your well-being.
It does not matter if that medical professional is a Consultant, Surgeon, Doctor, Nurse, Psychologist, Dentist, or anyone else who treats you. Medical negligence claims do not go to the Injuries Board and can take longer than personal injury claims.
HSE liability rose from €2.8 billion (2018) to €4.6 billion (2022). Catastrophic injuries are under 2% of claims but account for over 50% of payouts. These statistics highlight the serious financial and human impact of medical negligence in Irish healthcare.
Botched procedures, inadequate pre-operative consultations, unsatisfactory outcomes due to negligent technique, and failure to manage complications properly.
Incorrect diagnosis of mental health conditions, inappropriate medication regimens, failure to assess suicide risk, and inadequate monitoring of vulnerable patients.
Delays in accessing child and adolescent mental health services, inadequate crisis intervention, and failure to provide appropriate treatment for young people in mental health crises.
Underfunding, understaffing, and outdated systems contribute to harmful errors across hospitals. These system-level issues can support negligence claims. Many medical errors stem not from individual failings but from systemic problems in the Irish healthcare system, including:
Your personal injury solicitors will spell out the detail, but the most important document you'll need is an expert opinion from a medical expert on the harm, pain, and suffering you have experienced. This document can take time and expense to get, but your whole case of medical negligence will hinge on this document.
Book a free consultation to discuss your case
We help you obtain your medical records
We appoint and fund an independent medical expert
We evaluate the expert opinion and case strength
We negotiate or pursue court proceedings if needed
Case Example: A Dublin client was misdiagnosed with a minor illness. Later, it was revealed to be advanced cancer. The diagnosis delay severely impacted their health. With expert oncology evidence secured by our team, we successfully pursued the case. The HSE agreed to a €750,000 settlement—enabling long-term care and compensation for income loss.
We provide No Win No Fee terms and assist with interim payment applications in catastrophic injury cases. Medical negligence claims can be expensive due to the need for expert medical evidence, but we ensure cost is not a barrier to justice.
Early compensation can cover ongoing care and lost earnings. In serious cases where you require immediate financial support for medical care, rehabilitation, or adaptations to your home, we can apply for interim payments before your case concludes.
We also handle fatal injury claims under the Civil Liability Act, representing families who have lost loved ones due to medical negligence.
| Stage | What Happens | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | Review facts and records | 1–2 weeks |
| Expert Report | Medical evaluation | 2–4 months |
| Negotiation | Attempt settlement | 3–12 months |
| Court Proceedings | If settlement fails | 2–4 years |
You should note that the Statute of Limitations time limit for bringing a medical negligence claim is two years, but two years from the date that you discovered or were made aware of a possible medical negligence claim.
The standard two-year limitation may be extended for:
Notable cases like Gough v Neary and Dunne v National Maternity Hospital define causation and standards in Irish negligence law. These landmark cases have established important legal principles that guide how medical negligence claims are assessed in Ireland.
Patients can request transparent reporting and escalate unresolved issues to HIQA, the HSE, or the Health Ombudsman. You have the right to:
You must show that no competent healthcare provider would have acted similarly. Expert testimony is essential. To successfully prove medical negligence, you need to demonstrate:
A doctor-patient relationship existed, establishing a legal duty of care.
The healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. This is assessed using the "Bolam Test" – would a reasonable body of medical opinion support the treatment provided?
The breach directly caused your injury or worsened your condition. This is often the most challenging element to prove and requires compelling expert medical evidence.
You suffered quantifiable harm – physical injuries, psychological trauma, financial losses, or reduced quality of life.
Compensation depends on the severity of your injuries and their impact. Catastrophic injury claims frequently exceed €1 million. Medical negligence compensation covers:
Yes. You can bring claims against the HSE for substandard care in public clinics or hospitals. The Health Service Executive is one of the most common defendants in medical negligence cases in Ireland. We have extensive experience representing clients against the HSE and private healthcare providers.
We have extensive experience handling complex medical negligence cases and work with leading medical experts across all specialties.
We understand the emotional and physical toll of medical negligence and provide sensitive, supportive representation.
We offer No Win No Fee arrangements for eligible claims, removing financial barriers to justice.
We've secured millions in compensation for medical negligence victims across Ireland.
Medical negligence cases can be distressing. We're available around the clock to provide guidance and support.
Based in Dublin, we serve clients throughout Ireland in all types of medical negligence claims.
Free confidential consultation. No Win No Fee available. Contact us 24/7.
