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01/09/2010
Fury As Medical Negligence Cases Go Unresolved After 27 Years
A medical negligence case involving a family from Northern Ireland has gone unresolved for 27 years.
Another 55 cases are still ongoing after more than 15 years.
The figures emerged in a Stormont letter answering a question form Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd from the Department of Health on Wednesday.
Mr O'Dowd said he was aware of one family who had been waiting 16 years for their case to be heard.
He said: "They are seeking compensation for their son who has been left severely disabled after medical treatment went wrong.
"The case is continually cancelled just before it reaches court leaving the family in limbo.
"Meanwhile the lawyers are paid and in one case for this last 27 years legal fees have been continually paid out."
Mr O'Dowd said the amount paid out in legal fees was "unavailable".
Concluding Mr O'Dowd said: "Medical negligence cases by their very nature can be very complex and legally challenging for both parties involved. The timescale of delay and the vast amounts of public monies being paid out strongly point to the need for a change in practice. The system needs independently reviewed to ensure that further distress and anguish is not being caused to claimants and that public money is not be wasted on unnecessary legal delays."
The Health and Social Care Board has paid out legal fees totalling £140,595 for cases which have been ongoing for 15 years.
Mr O'Dowd is calling on the board to get involved on any case which is over 10 years old.
(CD/KMcA)
Another 55 cases are still ongoing after more than 15 years.
The figures emerged in a Stormont letter answering a question form Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd from the Department of Health on Wednesday.
Mr O'Dowd said he was aware of one family who had been waiting 16 years for their case to be heard.
He said: "They are seeking compensation for their son who has been left severely disabled after medical treatment went wrong.
"The case is continually cancelled just before it reaches court leaving the family in limbo.
"Meanwhile the lawyers are paid and in one case for this last 27 years legal fees have been continually paid out."
Mr O'Dowd said the amount paid out in legal fees was "unavailable".
Concluding Mr O'Dowd said: "Medical negligence cases by their very nature can be very complex and legally challenging for both parties involved. The timescale of delay and the vast amounts of public monies being paid out strongly point to the need for a change in practice. The system needs independently reviewed to ensure that further distress and anguish is not being caused to claimants and that public money is not be wasted on unnecessary legal delays."
The Health and Social Care Board has paid out legal fees totalling £140,595 for cases which have been ongoing for 15 years.
Mr O'Dowd is calling on the board to get involved on any case which is over 10 years old.
(CD/KMcA)
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