Claiming for Accident & Emergency (A&E) Injuries

A&E (Accident & Emergency) injury claims usually arise where a doctor fails to diagnose a patient or makes the wrong diagnosis. They also regularly occur where there is a delay in diagnosis, which in turn causes the patient’s condition to worsen or reduces the patient’s chances of survival or cure.

Overcrowding in A&E Departments

Nearly 2 million patients attend A&E departments throughout Ireland each year. These departments suffer from overcrowding, and the number of patients left waiting on trolleys in emergency departments has risen by 26%. It is therefore not surprising that a large volume of medical negligence claims arise here. One of the most common complaints received by Synnott Lawline in this area of medical negligence is misdiagnosis. Many patients are sent home with the wrong diagnosis and/or the wrong medication.

Common Errors that Occur in A&E

• Prescribing the wrong medication
• Failure to refer a patient for scans/x-rays, properly interpret results of scans/x-rays
• Failure to order diagnostic tests
• Not recognising symptoms of serious illness
• Mixing up of medical charts
• Failing to take note of allergies to medications

You have two years from the date of your accident within which to make a claim after which time your case will become statute barred. If you have any legal questions or wish to start your claim, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated and experienced team of solicitors who will be more than happy to talk you through the whole process and answer any questions that you may have. Contact us 7 days a week by Phone: 01 453 7890 Email: info@lawline.ie or fill out our Call Back Form.

Example Case Study of an A&E Complaint

A lady in her early 20s attended an accident and emergency department complaining of severe pain in her lower back. This lady had a history of urinary tract infections. She was told by one of the A&E consultants that she had another infection, and she was prescribed her usual medication. She told the consultant that this was not a urinary tract infection, that it was much more painful, and that the pain was in a different area. The consultant again confirmed it was an infection and sent her home. One week later, this lady returned to the A&E department after losing feeling in her legs and still suffering from severe back pain. She was admitted to hospital and scans were carried out. It turned out that she had a large tumour which was pressing on her lower spine. This lady lost the use of her legs and is now confined to a wheelchair. It was confirmed by medical experts that, had this young lady been diagnosed when she first attended A&E, the tumour could have been removed, and she would not have lost the ability to walk.