As a paramedic, you place your life in danger every time you respond to an emergency call. This is part and parcel a part of the job and anyone entering the paramedic profession understands that there are inevitable risks involved in dealing with these dangerous situations. However, just like any other profession, your employer has a duty of care to ensure you are safeguarded against avoidable accidents and injuries. If you feel you have suffered an avoidable injury, it may be possible to bring a claim against your employer for compensation.
The National Ambulance Service in Ireland is operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and responds to accidents using a variety of vehicles including motorcycles, cars, and CEN ambulances. It’s possible to sustain entirely avoidable injuries, whilst operating these vehicles, or even at the scene of the accident that you have attended. If you think this applies to you, you may be able to instigate a claim for compensation.
Bringing a claim for negligence
Employees of the National Ambulance Service are the same as many other emergency service workers, such as firefighters and Gardaí, in that they place their lives on the line to help keep others safe. Those who enter the paramedic profession must accept there will be many different types of unpredictable scenarios where it is impossible for an employer to safeguard individuals from harm’s way. Members of An Garda Síochána, for example, have to accept that they may be injured whilst attending to apprehend a dangerous criminal.
However, just because emergency service staff deal with dangerous events day in and day out, that does not mean they do not have the same rights as everyone else to a work environment that protects their safety to a high standard. Should a paramedic worker be injured due to an incident that could have been prevented, it’s possible that a claim for negligence could be instigated.
Scenarios where you may have a basis to instigate a claim include:
- An injury sustained at the scene of the accident that you attended caused by a malicious third party, such as someone under the influence of drink or drugs or a person engaged in criminal behaviour
- An injury sustained due to faulty or dangerous equipment provided by your employer
- An injury sustained because adequate training was not provided to handle a specific type of emergency scenario
- Failure by your employer to recognise symptoms of PTSD
resulting from an extreme experience on the job - An injury sustained in a road traffic accident, caused by negligent driving.
There will, undoubtedly, be many other legitimate situations where it may be possible to bring a claim, either against your employer or the person who caused your injury. Speak to one of our specialist personal injury claims solicitors today for further advice.
About McCarthy + Co
With more than 30 years of experience in dealing with personal injury claims, McCarthy + Co. has assisted people involved in a broad range of work-related accidents, including paramedic negligence claims cases. We are a family-run business, and we pride ourselves on offering honest, impartial, and helpful advice.
Our offices are based in Dublin and Cork, but we work with clients throughout Ireland in locations ranging from Galway to Waterford. You can count on us for legal advice, guidance, and assistance on any form of personal injury.
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Ambulance & Paramedic Negligence Claims
If you have suffered as a result of an ambulance accident, or due to avoidable injury in your work as a paramedic, get in contact with our specialist ambulance accident solicitors today to make a start on your claim or gather more information. Call us on 1800 390 555 and an experienced member of staff will discuss your situation and potential next steps. You can also email on info@mccarthy.ie and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
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