Patrick Mullarkey

Partner - Head of Healthcare

“He is at the forefront of clinical negligence litigation.”

“He is a leader in the field of plaintiff clinical and medical negligence law.”

The inaugural and current Chair of the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Clinical Negligence Practitioner’s Group, Paddy qualified in 1993, has specialised in Healthcare Law since 1995 and now works exclusively on behalf of the victims of medical accidents and their next of kin. He is recognised as “the go-to” practitioner in Northern Ireland. He is the only Chambers and Partners Band 1 ranked medical negligence solicitor acting for the victims of medical accidents in Northern Ireland.  in Northern Ireland.

During the course of Paddy’s career, he has developed expertise in all aspects of healthcare practice, including complex and high value clinical negligence litigation. Acting in many of the country’s multi-million pound settlements, he has an unrivalled track record in claims arising from birth trauma, cerebral palsy and catastrophic injury.

Paddy is a CEDR qualified mediator and avails of this alternative to litigation to bring resolution to difficult and sensitive disputes. He is a Law Society accredited Solicitor Advocate and regularly represents, and advocates on behalf of, clients before the Courts of Northern Ireland, particularly Coroner’s Courts. .

In short, Paddy is a Healthcare Lawyer representing patients and their families and he devotes his entire professional practice to this field.

Legal Directories

Chambers and Partners 2025 – Band 1 – Patrick Mullarkey is highly regarded for his adept handling of birth trauma and catastrophic injury cases. “He is at the forefront of clinical negligence litigation.” “He is a leader in the field of plaintiff clinical and medical negligence law.”

Chambers and Partners 2024 – Band 1 – Patrick Mullarkey is highly regarded for his adept handling of birth trauma and catastrophic injury cases. “Patrick is really specialist at what he does.”

Chambers and Partners 2023 – Band 1 – Patrick Mullarkey is highly regarded for his adept handling of birth trauma and catastrophic injury cases. Strengths – “Patrick is one of the leaders in the field.” “He’s very effective.”

Chambers and Partners 2022 – “Patrick Mullarkey is highly regarded for his adept handling of birth trauma and catastrophic injury cases.He has massive experience in the market and I can only speak incredibly highly of him.”

Chambers and Partners 2021 – “Patrick Mullarkey possesses a keen understanding of cerebral palsy and other birth injury cases and is described as “the go-to” practitioner for plaintiff workHe also undertakes medical product liability issues. Sources say: “He’s very highly regarded and respected. He has a very distinguished reputation.”

Chambers and Partners 2020 – “Patrick Mullarkey specialises in clinical negligence litigation, particularly in cases connected to birth trauma, catastrophic injuries and product liability claims arising from defective medical products. Sources say: “He is an intelligent and motivated lawyer who fights for his clients and leaves no stone unturned. He is a leading light among clinical negligence lawyers in Northern Ireland.”

 

Practice Areas

Healthcare


Recent Experience

  • Inquest into the Death of Christopher Trolan – Coroner’s Verdict Read
  • £2,500,000 Damages for Medication Error Read
  • Anti-Seizure Drug Overdose due to Unmonitored Prescription: Patient Recovers £80,000 Read
  • £2.5 Million Compensation for Failure to Diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome Read
  • Failure to Diagnose Kidney Disease – £100,000 Read
  • Deep-Sea Diver Recovers £500,000 Damages For Poor Medical Care Read
  • Death of Patient due to Omission of Medication – Inquest of Gary Lynch Read
  • £7.5 Million Compensation Recovered for Workplace Fall Injuries Read
  • £250,000 Recovered in Surgical Mesh Claim Read
  • Killings by a Man with Severe Mental Illness were “Entirely Preventable” Read
  • Stillbirth at Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital Preventable Read
  • £275,000 damages for Bladder and Bowel Injuries during Childbirth Read

Significant Cases

  • Inquest – Stephen McElroy (Deceased) Read
  • Child with Cerebral Palsy recovers £8 million for birth injury Read
  • £300,000 for Shoulder Injury at Birth Read
  • Failure to diagnose Cauda Equina – £3.25 million damages Read
  • Patient Recovers £500K due to Wrist Fracture and Treatment Read
  • £850,000 damages for Impaired Fertility Read
  • £2.5 Million Compensation for Failure to Diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome Read
  • £7.5 Million Compensation Recovered for Workplace Fall Injuries Read

Specialist Expertise

  • Healthcare law
  • Medical/Clinical negligence litigation
  • Birth trauma, cerebral palsy and catastrophic injury claims
  • Product liability litigation
  • Healthcare Inquests

Memberships

  • Law Society Clinical Negligence Practitioners Group - Chairman (Dec 2018 - date )
  • High Court Clinical Negligence Sub Committee - Law Society Appointee
  • Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel - Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA)
  • Solicitor Advocate - Law Society of Northern Ireland
  • Mediator - CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution)