Ambulance & Paramedic Accident Claims

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.

Some links relating to ambulance safety that you may find useful.

• HSE – National Ambulance Service Information
• Journal of Paramedic Practic – Legal News
• Unitek EMT – 11 Health and Safety Tips for EMTs