If you or a family member have suffered a serious injury as a result of GP negligence*, one of our expert medical negligence solicitors* will be happy to advise you.
GPs play a crucial role in the Irish Health service. Thankfully the standard of GPs we have in Ireland is excellent, and in the vast majority of cases, they provide their patients with an excellent level of care. Unfortunately, GPs sometimes make mistakes which can have serious health consequences for those affected. While a mistake does not automatically mean the GP was negligent, often it does, and in such circumstances, the patient has a stateable GP negligence claim*. GP malpractice* can occur for a variety of reasons, such as delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose, incorrect diagnosis (misdiagnosis), failure to refer, and prescribing the wrong medication.
The consequences of GP negligence* can be long-lasting and can include unnecessary pain and suffering, progression of diseases such as cancer, delays in receiving treatment, or further damage as a result of incorrect treatment or medication. GP negligence* can also cause patients significant emotional distress and, in some instances, severe financial difficulty if it results in the patient being out of work for a significant period.
In the majority of cases, clients contact our medical negligence solicitors not because they want to bring a medical negligence claim*, but because they need to know whether they are injured because their GP made a mistake, or whether they were just unlucky. If you are concerned that you or a loved one have been affected by GP negligence*, one of our expert medical negligence solicitors* will be happy to assist you.
What constitutes GP negligence?
GP negligence* is a specific type of medical negligence*. It can occur if your health, or that of a loved one, has been adversely affected by the negligence of a GP. You may be able to bring a GP personal injury claim* if it can be proven that they:
- Failed to carry out a thorough health examination
- Did not refer you to a specialist when they should have
- Delayed in providing a diagnosis (delayed diagnosis)
- Made the wrong diagnosis (misdiagnosis)
- Failed to make any diagnosis
- Did not check your medical history
- Did not keep adequate notes
- Did not take action when advised to by a specialist
- Did not provide adequate follow-up care
- Prescribed the wrong medication
- Prescribed the wrong dosage of your medication or
- Prescribed a medication that interacted with your existing medication
Can I bring a claim for GP medical negligence?
To bring a claim for GP medical negligence*, we will need to show that:
- Your GP owed you a duty of care
- You suffered an adverse health outcome
- It was the negligence of your GP (whether an action or inaction) that caused you to suffer an adverse health outcome.
The answer to the first question is almost certainly yes, given the role of your GP in your healthcare. The answer to the second question will be established through the assessment of your healthcare records (i.e. clinical notes). To answer the third question, it will be necessary to engage the services of an expert witness who can demonstrate the link between the negative health effects and the negligence of your GP.
If you believe you have a valid medical negligence claim* against your GP, the first step is to contact a specialist in GP negligence claims*, such as Hanahoe and Hanahoe. Our GP negligence solicitors* will take the time to review your medical records and the circumstances that led to your injury and will then engage an expert to see if you have a valid claim*. If you have a valid GP compensation claim*, our expert medical negligence solicitors* will take you through each step, answering any questions you have before you proceed.
Why Choose Hanahoe and Hanahoe?
At Hanahoe and Hanahoe, our award-winning solicitors specialise in medical negligence law*. Our solicitors have been assisting victims with GP medical negligence claims* for over forty years. Our expert team of solicitors represents individuals from across the country and deal with the most complicated and difficult cases. We understand the pain, suffering, and loss that can occur as a result of GP malpractice*, and we understand the complexity of these cases. We are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for our clients and pride ourselves on our exhaustive yet sensitive approach. Our progressive, friendly, and experienced team will take the time to listen to your situation and support you throughout the claims process. If you have suffered harm to your physical or mental health as a result of a delayed, missed, or incorrect diagnosis, or any other form of GP malpractice*, we can help you.
Useful Information
If you wish are concerned about the care you received from your GP here or some links you may find helpful
Health Complaints: https://www.healthcomplaints.ie/gp/
Irish Citizen Information: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/consumer/how_to_complain/complain_about_medical_professionals.html
HSE Complaints: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/complaints/