Medico-legal assessments
I provide independent expert reports on psychological injury for adults and children, anywhere in Ireland, on claimant, defence or joint instructions. Each report sets out diagnosis, causation, severity, prognosis and treatment recommendations, using DSM-5-TR and ICD-11 and standardised, validated measures alongside the interview. Reports are prepared for the Injuries Resolution Board, the Workplace Relations Commission and the courts, and I am available to answer questions on a report and to give evidence. My medico-legal work is confined to civil matters. I do not accept criminal instructions or assess injuries arising from assault or other violent crime.
Accidents and adverse events
Road traffic collisions (as driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist); accidents at work, in public places, shops and schools; dog attacks, fires, floods and other frightening events; witnessed injury to a family member; and historical abuse and illegal adoption in civil claims and redress schemes. The report addresses whether the event caused the difficulty or aggravated an existing one, how severe it is, and the likely recovery.
Medical negligence
The psychological impact of delayed or missed diagnosis, surgical or medication error, failures of consent and other harm in care, on the patient and on family members who witnessed it. I report on the psychological injury only, not on the standard of care, so the report sits alongside the liability expert's. I do not take maternity, obstetric or birth-related cases, to avoid any overlap with my role in children's palliative care.
Workplace
Psychological injury from work-related stress, bullying, harassment and traumatic incidents at work, for employees or employers, including capacity to return to work. Workplace claims turn on causation, so the report sets out the timeline and history and says plainly what can and cannot be determined. I do not carry out fitness-to-work or occupational health assessments commissioned by an employer, or advise on HR or disciplinary matters.
Children
Children and adolescents of all ages, after accidents, historical abuse and medical events. A parent or guardian joins the video interview. Younger children are assessed largely through the parent's account, observation and age-appropriate questionnaires; older children are interviewed directly. The report covers mood, behaviour, sleep, school, friendships and family life.
How to instruct me
Solicitors: email info@amckiernan.ie with the client's name, date of birth and email address, a summary of the event or treatment, the injuries claimed and any reports you hold, and say whether the instruction is claimant, defence or joint.
GPs and consultants: a referral letter in your usual format is fine.
Individuals: you're welcome to email me directly. To go ahead, I need a short referral from your GP or solicitor.
Your client completes an online form and questionnaires, then a video interview of about 90 minutes. Interview slots are usually available within two to three weeks of a complete referral, and the report follows about one week after the interview, once all records are in.
If I have already seen you for a clinical assessment and a report is later needed, it can be instructed separately.
What solicitors say
"I have found his reports to be very thorough and his evidence in court to be most assured. He is very pleasant to deal with and extremely helpful and I found him courteous and professional from start to finish." — Paul Maguire, Maguire McErlean Solicitors
"The reports have always been of a very high standard and my clients have all had positive experiences." — Norman Spicer, Senior Solicitor, Coleman Legal LLP Solicitors
"His medico legal reports are of high quality, being thorough and detailed, and are always completed in good time." — Michelle Loughnane, Senior Associate Solicitor
Questions people ask
- Who can instruct? Solicitors, GPs and consultants, and in workplace cases an employer's solicitor or HR department with the employee's agreement.
- Do you act for defendants and insurers? Yes. The opinion is the same whoever instructs.
- Is the assessment in person? No. It's by secure video, so nobody needs to travel.
- How is the interview recorded? With consent, through a GDPR-compliant service on EU servers. Recordings are deleted once the report is complete and are not used to train AI.
- Can you treat the client afterwards? No. I recommend treatment but don't provide it, which keeps the report independent.
- Why is there no phone number? Everything is handled by email, so there's a written record from the first contact.
Get in touch
Email info@amckiernan.ie. I usually reply within 24 hours.
