Suffering a bowel perforation can turn a straightforward procedure or hospital visit into a deeply distressing experience. For many people across Clare and the west of Ireland, it’s not just the physical toll that leaves a mark, but the worry, confusion, and sense that something simply wasn’t right. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, you may be left with more questions than answers. Was it preventable? Should it have been spotted sooner? Why did no one act?
Suffering a bowel perforation can turn a straightforward procedure or hospital visit into a deeply distressing experience. For many people across Clare and the west of Ireland, it’s not just the physical toll that leaves a mark, but the worry, confusion, and sense that something simply wasn’t right. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, you may be left with more questions than answers. Was it preventable? Should it have been spotted sooner? Why did no one act?
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we understand just how overwhelming this can feel. As a trusted legal firm with deep roots in the local community, we have spent over 30 years standing beside people at their most vulnerable. Our team listens without judgment, supports without pressure, and acts swiftly when fairness is on the line. We don’t believe in cold legal jargon or ticking boxes. We believe in real conversations, honest advice, and making sure your voice is heard.
If you’re worried something wasn’t right about the care you or a loved one received, speak to us in confidence. Your story matters, and Crimmins Howard Solicitors are here to help you seek the truth, protect your rights, and move forward with dignity.
Contact us today to speak with a local solicitor who will treat your case with the respect it deserves.
A bowel perforation is a very serious medical condition where a hole or tear forms in the wall of the intestine. This opening allows the contents of the bowel to leak into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to severe infection, inflammation, and in some cases, life-threatening complications. It’s sometimes referred to as a “ruptured bowel” or “gastrointestinal perforation”, but the effect is the same—the protective barrier of the bowel has been breached, and urgent medical care is needed.
The bowel plays a vital role in processing waste and protecting the body from harmful bacteria. Once the contents escape through a perforation, the body’s natural defences are overwhelmed. The risk of developing peritonitis or sepsis rises sharply. These infections are time-sensitive and can escalate quickly without the right medical intervention.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we regularly speak to individuals and families in Clare and beyond who were left in the dark after something went wrong. Knowing the seriousness of a bowel perforation is the first step toward understanding what happened and why. If your health took a sudden turn after treatment or surgery and you suspect something was missed, you are not alone—and support is available.
Bowel perforations can happen for many different reasons, not all of which involve medical negligence. In some cases, the injury is linked to trauma or accident. In others, it occurs in a medical setting—either as a recognised risk of treatment or, regrettably, due to a preventable error. Understanding the cause is key to determining whether there’s a legal claim worth pursuing.
In hospitals across Ireland, the following scenarios are among the most common medical causes:
Outside of hospital settings, trauma is the most common cause. These injuries often involve a sudden force or impact to the abdomen, including:
If your bowel injury followed any of the above circumstances and you believe something wasn’t handled properly, it may be time to ask questions. Crimmins Howard Solicitors can help you explore what really happened and whether the harm you suffered could—and should—have been avoided.
Not every bowel perforation is caused by negligence. In some cases, it may be a recognised risk of surgery or illness. But if the injury occurred because proper care wasn’t given, wasn’t given in time, or wasn’t given at all, then that could amount to medical negligence.
Every healthcare provider in Ireland—from your local GP to a consultant surgeon—has a legal duty to provide care that meets an acceptable standard. That means:
If that duty is breached, and the patient suffers harm that could have been avoided, the law may view it as negligence.
In cases of bowel perforation, some of the most common negligent scenarios include:
A bowel perforation isn’t just a medical event—it’s often a life-altering experience. What begins as a complication during surgery or a delayed diagnosis can quickly spiral into something that affects every part of your daily life.
In most cases, a bowel perforation triggers an emergency response. Patients are often rushed back into surgery to locate and repair the tear. During this procedure, the surgeon may also need to clean out the abdominal cavity to prevent further spread of infection. In more severe cases, damaged sections of the bowel may need to be removed.
Sometimes, a temporary or permanent colostomy is required. This involves redirecting the bowel to an external bag to collect waste. While some patients recover enough to have this reversed, others must adapt to a permanent change in how they live.
Many of our clients across Clare and the west of Ireland have described the long tail of recovery. Even after leaving hospital, they may face:
The emotional toll can be just as significant. Fear of infection returning, anxiety about further treatment, and the psychological effects of living with a colostomy can take time to process. Simple activities—like shopping, working, or caring for children—can feel overwhelming.
Recovery may require time off work, additional surgeries, travel to hospital appointments, and help at home. For many families, this comes with unexpected costs and serious disruption. If the injury wasn’t your fault, it shouldn’t be your burden alone.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we don’t just look at the medical facts—we take the full impact on your life into account. We understand the knock-on effects and fight to make sure your voice and your needs are reflected in every part of your claim.
Bringing a bowel perforation claim isn’t just about saying something went wrong—it’s about showing, through strong evidence, that the harm you suffered should never have happened. Irish law requires you to prove three key elements in a medical negligence claim: duty of care, breach of duty, and causation. Each step relies on specific types of evidence.
This is usually the most straightforward part. All healthcare professionals in Ireland—doctors, nurses, surgeons—owe a legal duty to provide competent care to their patients. You don’t need to prove this from scratch.
Evidence may include:
These confirm the healthcare relationship and show who was responsible for your treatment at the time.
This is where we assess whether the standard of care fell below what is expected from a reasonably competent professional. A simple mistake isn’t always enough. The law requires that the care was clearly substandard.
Evidence used here includes:
An independent expert reviews your case and provides a report stating whether the actions taken were appropriate or negligent.
Finally, it must be shown that the injury (or a worsening of your condition) was caused directly by that breach. If the outcome would have happened anyway, regardless of any mistakes, a claim may not succeed.
Supporting evidence may include:
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we gather and manage this evidence on your behalf. You don’t need to piece it all together yourself. Our goal is to build a clear, well-supported case so you can get answers—and fair redress—for what happened.
The amount of compensation you may receive for a bowel perforation depends entirely on how the injury has affected your life—not just physically, but emotionally and financially as well. There’s no flat rate or fixed figure. Every case is different and must be assessed on its own facts.
We take into account two main types of damages: general damages and special damages.
General damages cover the non-financial side of your injury. This includes:
If you’ve had to adjust to life with a colostomy bag, experienced ongoing digestive problems, or missed out on important moments due to prolonged recovery, these experiences are considered in your general damages.
In Ireland, general damages are guided by the Personal Injuries Guidelines. These set out broad brackets for compensation based on the type and severity of the injury. A serious bowel injury requiring surgery or long-term intervention will fall into a higher bracket.
Special damages focus on the real costs that came with your injury. This may include:
We also take into account any projected future costs, especially if your recovery is still ongoing or if you’ve been left with long-term limitations.
If the other side admits fault early in the process, we may be able to secure an interim payment for you before the full case is resolved. This can help cover urgent expenses and relieve financial pressure while you wait for your final award.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we take time to understand the full picture—not just what happened, but how it has changed your life. That way, your claim reflects what you’ve endured, what you’ve lost, and what you’ll need moving forward.
In Ireland, most medical negligence claims—including those involving bowel perforations—must be brought within two years from the date you first knew, or ought to have known, that an injury occurred due to substandard care. This is known as the Statute of Limitations.
This clock doesn’t always start ticking on the day of the surgery or the treatment. If your symptoms developed later or if you only discovered the full extent of the harm after being discharged, the time limit may begin from that date of “knowledge.” That said, it’s not always easy to pinpoint—and waiting too long can put your claim at risk.
There are some exceptions:
If you believe your injury was linked to negligence—even if it happened some time ago—it’s best to get legal advice straight away. Crimmins Howard Solicitors can quickly assess where you stand and help ensure that your rights are fully protected.
Starting a legal claim might feel daunting, especially when you’re still dealing with the effects of a serious injury. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we aim to make the process as clear, respectful, and straightforward as possible. Here’s what to expect:
We begin with a confidential conversation—no pressure, no jargon. We’ll listen carefully to what happened, ask a few clarifying questions, and help you understand whether there may be a basis for a claim.
If you wish to proceed, we’ll request your hospital and GP records. These documents provide the timeline of your care and will form the backbone of the investigation.
We work with experienced, independent consultants who will review your records and prepare a detailed expert opinion. Their role is to identify whether the care you received fell below the standard expected and whether that caused your injury.
Once we have expert backing, we begin to build your case. This involves outlining how the injury has affected your life—physically, emotionally, and financially. We’ll also gather any supporting information needed to reflect your losses and future needs.
Where appropriate, we’ll issue proceedings through the courts. This doesn’t necessarily mean your case will go to trial. Many claims are settled through negotiation, but having proceedings in place helps protect your rights and keeps the process moving.
If the other side accepts responsibility, we may be able to secure an early settlement or interim payment. If the case continues, we’ll represent you at every stage, always keeping you informed and in control.
We know this process can seem overwhelming. That’s why our team takes care of the legal details so you can focus on your recovery and peace of mind.
Yes. If your symptoms were present in hospital or raised before discharge but were ignored or dismissed, and this led to your condition worsening, you may have a valid claim. Many perforation injuries only come to light days later, which doesn’t exclude liability.
If your injury led to a temporary or permanent colostomy, this will form part of your compensation claim. The impact on your lifestyle, future health, and emotional wellbeing will be fully assessed and reflected in the damages sought.
Yes. You don’t need to have your records in hand. Once you instruct us, we’ll handle all requests for your GP and hospital notes as part of our process.
Many bowel perforation claims settle without the need for a court hearing. If yours does go to court, we’ll prepare you fully and stand beside you every step of the way. The goal is always to resolve your case as efficiently and respectfully as possible.
That’s a common concern. We’ll help you get expert medical advice to determine whether your care fell short. You don’t need to be certain—just concerned enough to ask the right questions.
If you’ve suffered a bowel perforation and something doesn’t feel right, talk to us. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ll listen without pressure, explain your options clearly, and help you take the next step. Contact our approachable team today for trusted, local support.
