Brigid O’Donnell Solicitors

14/07/2026

Three years ago, I took the leap and establislished my own practice with one simple goal - to provide clients with expert legal advice, personal service and unwavering support during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

As I celebrate 3 years in business, I’ve been reflecting on just how much we’ve achieved. Over the past 12-18 months alone, I’ve had the privilege of helping clients to secure significant settlements across a wide range of personal injury and medical negligence claims - each successful outcome represents much more than compensation. Each settlement represents accountabilty and an opportunity to be heard.

To every client who has placed their trust in me during this time, you know it’s a privilege I never take lightly. Thank you 🙏💜

27/05/2026

Read our blog discussing the implications of the High Court’s judgment in Kinsella v Carter for plaintiffs who suffer a recognisable psychiatric injury after witnessing catastrophic events within a healthcare setting.

https://www.brigidodonnellsolicitors.ie/nervous-shock-the-law-in-ireland/

In this case, the Plaintiff’s wife suffered a medical crisis after being administered an overdose of blood pressure medication while an inpatient at the Defendant Hospital in July 2021. The Plaintiff was called to the hospital and witnessed deeply distressing scenes, collapsing as a result of the shock. Tragically, his wife later died from her injuries, and the Plaintiff subsequently developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

His case involved two separate claims: a dependency action under the Civil Liability Act on behalf of his wife’s dependents, and a claim for nervous shock — the legal term used when a person suffers a recognisable psychiatric injury following exposure to shocking or distressing events.

While the Hospital admitted negligence and the dependency claim was resolved, it denied liability for the Plaintiff’s psychiatric injuries. The matter therefore came before Mr Justice O’Connor in the High Court.

The Hospital argued that a nervous shock claim arising from medical negligence could not amount to an “accident” within the meaning of the Kelly v Hennessy framework, which governs nervous shock claims in Ireland. Their legal team also argued that any duty of care extended only to the patient, and not to a spouse exposed to the immediate aftermath of events within a hospital setting. Reliance was placed on UK case law.

Both arguments were rejected by the High Court.

Importantly, the Court reaffirmed the principles in Kelly v Hennessy as the correct framework for determining nervous shock claims arising in the context of medical negligence.

22/05/2026

Topping off the loveliest week with a Friday success story - celebrating a successful outcome for our client following a slip and fall accident.

Our client suffered nasty injuries after slipping on a poorly maintained surface and was left dealing with persisting pain- requiring continuing medical treatment resulting in financial stress.

Following detailed investigations and negotiations, we successfully reached a settlement on their behalf without the requirement of a court hearing.

Slip and fall accidents can happen in shops, workplaces, public areas, and private premises where proper safety standards are not maintained. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

* In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

LegalAdvice

13/05/2026

10,400 medication-related incidents were reported by the HSE last year according to RTE reporting.

A medication incident is a preventable event which may result in a patient being harmed while medication is in the control of a healthcare professional.

738 patients were harmed in medication-related incidents in HSE services last year. 732 of these incidents resulted in moderate harm, with 6 resulting in extreme harm- 5 of these incidents resulted in death.

These numbers aren't just meaningless figures. These are patients- people, husbands and wives, grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters with families who love them.

Brigid has represented, and continues to represent patients and their families, who have suffered avoidable injury due to medication relation incidents, or events nationwide. She is happy to meet with clients in person, or remotely, at a time convenient to them.

Examples of such errors include:

✅ medication prescribed in error
✅ failure to identify interactions between medications
✅ failure to identify patient allergies prior to administering medication
✅ incorrect dosage prescribed
✅ failure to ensure that essential medication is administered as prescribed

https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0505/1571751-medication-related-incidents-ireland/



* In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

07/05/2026

10,400 medication-related incidents were reported by the HSE last year according to RTE reporting.

A medication incident is a preventable event which may result in a patient being harmed while medication is in the control of a healthcare professional.

738 patients were harmed in medication-related incidents in HSE services last year. 732 of these incidents resulted in moderate harm, with 6 resulting in extreme harm- 5 of these incidents resulted in death.

These numbers aren't just meaningless figures. These are patients- people, husbands and wives, grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters with families who love them.

Brigid has represented, and continues to represent patients and their families, who have suffered avoidable injury due to medication relation incidents, or events nationwide. She is happy to meet with clients in person, or remotely, at a time convenient to them.

Examples of such errors include:

✅ medication prescribed in error
✅ failure to identify interactions between medications
✅ failure to identify patient allergies prior to administering medication
✅ incorrect dosage prescribed
✅ failure to ensure that essential medication is administered as prescribed

https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0505/1571751-medication-related-incidents-ireland/



* In contentious business, a Solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.

There were 738 patients harmed in medication-related incidents in HSE services last year, according to new figures.

29/04/2026

Delighted to achieve fair and appropriate compensation for a young student injured due to a road traffic accident in Tipperary recently. Our client suffered concussion, with soft tissue injuries to her neck and shoulder, when a car travelling on the wrong side of the road collided with her parents' car.

While her soft tissue injuries resolved quickly, she developed post-concussive headaches. The negotiated settlement was approved by the Court, as is required in accident cases involving compensation for minors, in recent weeks.

The case reflects the importance of legal guidance in ensuring the documentation of injuries to ensure adequate compensation in personal injuries cases, particularly those involving children.

Fair and appropriate compensation for child injured due to road traffic accident

20/04/2026

A week in the life- last week saw:

✅ mediation in a case listed for hearing shortly. Unfortunately, settlement was not achieved but the mediation was of massive assistance in narrowing the issues arising - a step closer to resolution, I hope 🙏
✅ a lovely chat on Red FM with Neil Prendiville 📻
✅ ruling of a fair and appropriate settlement for a lovely student injured in a road traffic accident ⚖️
✅ virtual meetings with new clients - I represent clients injured due to medical negligence or accidents nationwide - virtual meetings allow me to meet with clients and offer timely advices when I’m physically required to be elsewhere 🖥️
✅the third week at hearing in a medical negligence case 🧑‍⚖️

Another busy week ahead - grateful, always, for the lovely clients who trust me to represent their interests💜

14/04/2026

Back to Court today after a lovely Easter break 🐣 Spring sunshine is a distant memory in rainy Dublin today. ☔️

I know that I’m so lucky to love what I do- so many people people I meet work in toxic work environments which are injurious to their health. Workplace bullying is endemic in our society, sadly. If you're experiencing workplace bullying, here are some practical steps you can take:-

✅Consult with your GP and confide in those who love you
✅If you feel it's safe to do so, perhaps have an informal word with the perpetrator
✅Buy a diary and record everything- dates, precise details of what was said, who said it, witnesses etc. This may become very important & useful later
✅Exhaust internal procedures in compliance with your employer's bullying & harassment procedure
✅In circumstances where your employer fails to respond- either appropriately or at all-there may be grounds for legal action, be that by way of WRC complaint, or where you have suffered injury, personal injury proceedings
✅A solicitor with expertise in this area of law can advise you regarding the best option for you
✅Seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity
✅Never resign from your position in the absence of legal advice

Bullying at work isn’t just “part of the job” — it can erode confidence, wellbeing, and dignity over time.

For employers, creating a culture of respect isn’t optional -it’s a duty and obligation which is placed on employers.