GP Negligence Claims
GP Negligence Claims in Ireland
A GP negligence claim looks at whether the care your family doctor provided fell below the standard expected of a competent GP, and whether that caused you harm. This can involve missed referrals, prescribing errors or a failure to investigate symptoms. If it did, you may be able to take the matter further.
Your GP is often the first person you turn to when you are unwell, and you rely on their judgement. If you feel that something was missed or not handled as it should have been, you may want to understand what happened. We offer clear, careful advice on your options.
What this can cover
- Failure to refer to a specialist or hospital
- Prescribing errors and harmful drug interactions
- Failure to investigate or follow up symptoms
- Missed or delayed diagnosis in primary care
- Failure to act on test results
- Inadequate follow up of an ongoing condition
Situations that may amount to negligence
- Symptoms that may have warranted referral but were not passed on
- A medication that may have been prescribed in the wrong dose
- A drug that may have interacted badly with something you were already taking
- A test result that may not have been reviewed or acted on
- Repeated visits where a serious condition may have been overlooked
- An ongoing condition that may not have been monitored as it should have been
How negligence is assessed
A disappointing outcome after seeing your GP does not by itself mean there was negligence, as not every illness can be caught at the first visit. The starting point is that your GP owed you a duty of care. The question is then whether the care fell below the standard expected of a competent GP, assessed under the Dunne v National Maternity Hospital test, which asks whether no GP of similar skill would have acted as they did. It must also be shown that any failing caused or materially contributed to your harm, known as causation.
Time limits. As general information, a claim must usually be started within two years of the date you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the injury, with separate rules for children and people who lack capacity.
Simple and clear
Making a gp negligence enquiry
A straightforward path from your first question to clear advice on where you stand.
- 1
Get in touch
Tell us briefly what happened, by the enquiry form or by phone. There is no obligation.
- 2
Initial review
We listen, ask a few questions and look at the key facts and any records you have.
- 3
Advice on next steps
We explain your options clearly, including any time limits that may apply to you.
- 4
Claim preparation, if appropriate
If there may be a claim, we guide you through what comes next at a pace that suits you.
Your questions
GP Negligence claims: common questions
It can include failing to refer you on, prescribing errors, not investigating symptoms, or not acting on test results. Whether it amounts to negligence depends on whether the care fell below the expected standard and whether that caused you harm.
In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
Get in touch
You do not have to work this out alone
Talk it through with Stephen Kelly Law, confidentially and with no obligation. We will help you understand where you stand and what your options may be.