Special report: 'Court is terrifying, but it is often the only way to get compensation'

Patients and their families and advocates say the HSE must change the way it handles patient errors and complaints — a view echoed by others seeking compensation for injuries too 

Keith Phelan with his sisters, Kelly and Lyndsey, and parents Tony and Margaret, after he settled his High Court action in July 2021 for €11m. Families are forced to go through a long legal battle to get access to justice, according to solicitor Lyndy Cantillon. Picture: Collins Courts

Last year was a record one for High Court settlements against Ireland’s health service, which could have profound implications for future payouts.

In a system that is overwhelmed and underfunded, mistakes can happen. However, there needs to be a shift in terms of how these mistakes are handled by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and how they treat those affected, according one of the country’s leading law firms.