How long do I have to make a claim in Ireland?

In general you have two years from the date of the incident or your 'date of knowledge' (when you first reasonably became aware the harm may have been caused by negligence). For children, the period generally runs from their 18th birthday. These limits are strictly applied, so it is important to seek advice early. You can get an indicative deadline using our claim time-limit checker.

Does this go through the Injuries Resolution Board?

No. Medical and clinical negligence claims are excluded from the Injuries Resolution Board (formerly PIAB) process and are pursued through the courts. They require independent expert medical evidence on both breach of duty and causation, which is part of why they are more involved than ordinary personal injury claims.

How are these claims funded?

There is more than one way these claims can be funded, and the position should be discussed with your solicitor at the outset. What matters is that you understand from the start how the work will be funded and what outlays, such as expert report fees and court costs, may arise during a case, so that you know what your obligations are.

Spinal Injury Claims in Ireland

Spinal cord injuries caused by medical negligence can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, and complete loss of independence. When surgical errors, delayed treatment, or mismanagement during medical care causes catastrophic spinal damage, the law allows you to seek compensation to support your lifetime needs and dignity.

Request a Call Back Call 01 5827148

Medical Negligence Causing Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is the highway of nerve signals between the brain and the body. When it's damaged, messages can't get through—resulting in paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of bladder and bowel control below the injury site. Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic, life-changing, and in most cases, permanent.

While many spinal injuries result from accidents, medical negligence can cause or worsen spinal cord damage through surgical errors, delayed diagnosis of spinal emergencies, or mishandling of patients with spinal trauma. When healthcare professionals' failures rob someone of the ability to walk, feel, or control basic bodily functions, the impact on every aspect of life is devastating.

Common Causes of Medical Negligence Spinal Injuries

Spinal Surgery Errors

Wrong level surgery (operating on wrong vertebra)
Damage to spinal cord during disc surgery or decompression
Nerve root damage from surgical instruments
Post-operative haematoma (bleeding) compressing spinal cord not recognized or treated urgently
Infection after spinal surgery causing abscess and cord compression

Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Emergencies

Cauda Equina Syndrome not recognized despite red flags
Spinal cord compression from tumours not diagnosed or treated urgently
Spinal abscess or infection (discitis, epidural abscess) missed or delayed
Spinal haematoma not urgently decompressed

Trauma Mismanagement

Failure to immobilize spine after trauma (moving patient improperly)
Missing spinal fractures on X-rays or CT scans
Not performing emergency spinal stabilization surgery
Delayed transfer to specialist spinal unit

Anaesthesia and Procedure-Related Injuries

Spinal or epidural anaesthesia causing nerve damage
Haematoma from spinal injections in patients on blood thinners
Infection introduced during spinal procedures

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Levels

The level of spinal cord injury determines what function is lost:

Cervical (neck) injuries (C1-C8): Most severe. High cervical injuries affect breathing and require ventilator support. Lower cervical injuries cause quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs), loss of hand function, and complete dependence for all care.
Thoracic (chest) injuries (T1-T12): Paraplegia (paralysis of legs), loss of trunk control, wheelchair dependence, bladder and bowel dysfunction. Arms remain functional.
Lumbar (lower back) injuries (L1-L5): Leg weakness or paralysis, loss of bladder and bowel control. Some patients retain ability to walk with aids.
Sacral injuries (S1-S5): Primarily bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction. Walking often preserved but quality of life severely affected.

Injuries are classified as "complete" (total loss of sensation and movement below injury) or "incomplete" (some preserved function). Even incomplete injuries can be profoundly disabling.

Life After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries don't just affect mobility—they transform every aspect of existence:

Paralysis: Permanent wheelchair dependence or complete bed dependence for high-level injuries
Loss of sensation: No feeling below injury level, risk of pressure sores, inability to feel pain warnings
Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Requires catheterization and bowel management programmes; loss of dignity and constant infection risk
Sexual dysfunction: Loss of sensation and function, fertility issues
Breathing difficulties: High cervical injuries require ventilator support; others have reduced lung capacity
Temperature regulation problems: Body can't regulate temperature below injury
Autonomic dysreflexia: Life-threatening spikes in blood pressure
Chronic pain: Neuropathic pain that's difficult to treat
Pressure sores: Can be severe, requiring hospitalization and surgery
Osteoporosis: Bone loss leading to fractures
Spasticity: Uncontrolled muscle spasms and tightness
Psychological trauma: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, suicidal ideation
Complete dependence: Requiring carers for all basic needs—washing, dressing, eating, moving
Reduced life expectancy: Complications like infections and respiratory issues shorten lifespan

The financial impact can be severe, covering specialised wheelchairs, accessible vehicles, home modifications, 24-hour care, ongoing medical complications and loss of the ability to work. Where a claim succeeds, compensation is intended to help meet these needs.

How We Can Help

Spinal injury cases are among the most serious and complex claims we handle. Richard O'Shea and our team work with appropriately qualified spinal surgeons, neurologists and rehabilitation specialists to investigate whether the care was negligent and to set out the lifetime needs arising from the injury.

Our Approach

Obtain all medical records, scans, and surgical notes
Independent spinal experts review care and identify negligence
Spinal rehabilitation consultants assess functional loss and prognosis
Care experts calculate lifetime 24-hour care costs
Occupational therapists assess accommodation and equipment needs
We work to ensure your long-term needs are properly assessed and reflected

Compensation for Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injury claims typically result in the highest compensation awards in medical negligence law:

Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
The cost of care over a lifetime
Specialized accommodation (accessible home or nursing home)
Wheelchairs and equipment (replaced every 5 years)
Adapted vehicles
Medical treatment and complications
Case management
Loss of earnings over working lifetime
Aids, appliances, and continence products

Fighting for Your Future

If medical negligence caused you or a loved one a spinal cord injury, contact Richard O'Shea and our specialist team. We understand the catastrophic impact and will advise you on your options.

Request a Call Back Call 01 5827148

Spinal Injuries — FAQs

Spinal injury claims can arise from surgical errors during spinal procedures, a delayed diagnosis of spinal cord compression, nerve damage, or anaesthetic injuries. As with all clinical negligence, the claim depends on showing both that the care fell below an acceptable standard and that this caused the injury or worsened the outcome.

Areas We Cover

We act for clients in every county in Ireland. For local hospital information and guidance on starting a claim in your area, see our full list of areas we cover, or choose a county below.

Dublin Cork Galway Limerick Waterford Kilkenny All counties →