Information only — this matter needs a solicitor. OnlineLegalServices.ie is operated by Plus Promotions Limited, which is not a solicitor’s practice and does not give legal advice or take on cases. This page is a general guide.
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Consent & Treatment Decisions
Before treatment, you are entitled to be informed of the material risks and reasonable alternatives. If you were not given the information a patient in your position would reasonably expect, and you suffered harm as a result, you may wish to understand your position.
Time Limits
In most cases, proceedings must be commenced within two years from the date of the negligence or the date you first became aware of it. Acting early protects your position.
How We Can Help
a solicitor you instruct can review what happened in a confidential consultation, help you obtain your medical records, and give you a realistic preliminary view before you make any decision. Learn more about our medical negligence service or read our guide to a confidential video consultation with a solicitor of your choice (15 minutes).
How an Assessment Works
Concerns about consent to treatment are assessed in stages. First, we obtain and review consent forms, clinic letters and records of the discussions you had. a solicitor you instruct then considers whether the care provided may have fallen below the accepted standard, and whether that caused identifiable harm. Where the records justify it, the next step is an opinion from an independent medical expert — no conclusions are reached without one.
What You Will Need
You do not need anything to get started beyond your own account of what happened and roughly when. We can request the medical records on your behalf — you have a legal right of access to them. Keeping a short written timeline of events, appointments and conversations is genuinely helpful.
Common Questions
How long do I have? In most cases, two years from the date of the events or the date you first had knowledge of them. Different rules can apply to children and to persons lacking capacity, so it is wise to check your own position early.
What does it cost to find out where I stand? Our first steps — a confidential consultation, a records request and review, and a written preliminary assessment — are not sold at a set price. We assess your matter first and, if the firm accepts your instruction, the engagement and fee basis are agreed with you in writing before any chargeable work begins.
Will I have to go to court? Many matters resolve without a court hearing. No proceedings are ever issued without your instructions and a supporting expert opinion.