The Plaintiff proceeded against two firms of solicitors who previously represented her in association with a medical negligence claim she raised concerning treatment she received in 1985 at a local hospital. The Plaintiff had developed pelvic inflammatory disease. Due to lack of investigation the Plaintiff was required to undergo a laparotomy in January 1986. The Plaintiff suffered a psychological upset as a result. The Plaintiff was left with a 15cm abdominal scar as a consequence of the operation. The Plaintiff also sustained special loss.
Original proceedings were issued by the first firm of solicitors against the medical personnel concerned. The Plaintiff then transferred those proceedings to the second-named firm of solicitors. As a consequence of the alleged negligence of the second-named firm of solicitors those proceedings were struck out by the Court for want of prosecution in 1995. The matter was appealed and dismissed by the High Court in January 1996. The Plaintiff became aware of same after she requested that the writer, Patrick Mullarkey, take over conduct of the action. In the circumstances proceedings were preferred against her former legal advisors. New proceedings were issued in 2003 after a full investigation of the case had taken place. The matter came to trial in 2006 and the Plaintiff agreed a settlement, prior to the commencement of hearing, in the sum of £60,000 plus costs.