For solicitors

I provide independent clinical psychology reports on psychological injury in personal injury, medical negligence and workplace cases, for claimant and defence instructions, for adults and children, anywhere in Ireland. One fixed fee, a four-step process, and a report about one week after the interview.

What you get

• A report addressing diagnosis, causation, severity, prognosis and treatment, in the format required by the Injuries Resolution Board and the courts
• Standardised, validated measures alongside the clinical interview, so severity is quantified and comparable
• A formulation explaining why this client responded as they did, what maintains the difficulty and what is protective, so you understand the claim before the other side does
• Comment on pre-existing history and on consistency across interview, questionnaires and records
• Evidence-based treatment recommendations with likely duration
• Availability to answer questions on the report, and to give evidence if the case runs

Fee

A single fixed fee per assessment and report, quoted on enquiry, inclusive of record review, standardised testing, a clinical interview of about 90 minutes and reasonable follow-up correspondence. Invoiced after the interview; the report is released on payment. Supplementary reports, joint meetings of experts and court attendance are quoted separately in advance.

Turnaround

Interview slots are usually available within two to three weeks of a complete referral. The report follows about one week after the interview, once all records are received. If you need a report by a particular date, say so in the referral and I will tell you straight away whether it can be met.

How to instruct: four steps

1. Send the referral by email. Client's name, date of birth and email address; a summary of the event or treatment; the injuries claimed; and any medical, psychiatric or other expert reports you hold, as attachments. Say if the instruction is claimant, defence or joint.
2. Prompt confirmation, typically within 24 hours. I confirm I can take the case, the interview date (usually a Tuesday evening by secure video) and the fee. If I cannot take it, I say so at once.
3. Assessment. Your client receives a secure link to an online assessment form and questionnaires, then attends the video interview. For a child, a parent or guardian joins the call.
4. Report. Issued about one week after the interview as a password-protected PDF, with the invoice.

What I do not do

• Criminal proceedings: my practice is confined to civil matters, and I do not assess injuries arising from assault or other violent crime
• Opinion on the standard of care or breach of duty (I report on the psychological injury only)
• Maternity, obstetric or birth-related cases
• Fitness-to-work or occupational health assessments
• Treatment of clients I have assessed (I recommend treatment; I do not provide it, which protects the independence of the opinion)

Credentials

Chartered Clinical Psychologist (PSI) · Member, Medico-Legal Society of Ireland · Adjunct Professor, UCD School of Psychology · Co-author, Clinical Psychology: An Introduction (Routledge) · Principal Clinical Psychologist, children's palliative care · Former Chair, PSI Division of Clinical Psychology · PhD (UCD), DClinPsych (UL).

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. I will definitely use Aidan going forward and would not hesitate to recommend him in this capacity." — Paul Maguire, Maguire McErlean Solicitors

"I have been working with Dr. McKiernan for several years on cases involving workplace and road traffic injuries as well as illegal adoptions. I have always found him to be highly responsive, professional and efficient. The level of care, detail and professionalism that goes into his reports truly stands out and my clients have all found his manner and approach to be highly personable and sensitive which is essential when dealing with some of the trauma and distress they have endured. He has accommodated us with urgent requests and the quality of his output is always of the highest standard. I would recommend him without hesitation." — Neil Cosgrave, Cosgrave Solicitors

"I have had Dr McKiernan assist me for several years in complex cases involving a high volume of vulnerable clients. The reports have always been of a very high standard and my clients have all had positive experiences. I would highly recommend Dr McKiernan for medico-legal reports/assessments." — Norman Spicer, Senior Solicitor, Coleman Legal LLP Solicitors

To instruct

Instruct Dr McKiernan — this opens an email to info@amckiernan.ie with the referral headings filled in. Enquiries are answered promptly, typically within 24 hours. All instructions are taken in writing so that there is a clear record from the first contact.