Our client was a young girl who was referred to a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) with low mood and disturbed sleep following a difficult life event. She was initially diagnosed with an adjustment-related condition. Over the course of her treatment, our client was prescribed several antipsychotic medications, despite having no documented history of psychosis.

Concerns later arose about the rationale for changes to her medication, the adequacy of physical health monitoring, the completeness of her clinical records and whether she had been properly assessed for a possible neurodevelopmental condition. Our client also experienced significant side effects from the medication she had been prescribed.

A CAMHS compensation settlement of €70,000 was reached in 2026 through an HSE CAMHS scheme on behalf of a young girl who was prescribed antipsychotic medication despite having no documented history of psychosis. Concerns were also identified regarding how her medication was managed. Liability was admitted.

How the claim was investigated

Steven Whelan and Keith Rolls acted on behalf of our client and her family.

Independent expert opinions were obtained from a consultant child psychiatrist and a clinical psychologist. Their assessments identified deficiencies in the clinical assessment, diagnostic formulation, prescribing practices, monitoring and documentation of our client’s care.

This evidence formed the basis of the claim and helped establish the concerns surrounding the treatment she had received.

The outcome

The matter was resolved in 2026 through an HSE CAMHS scheme, resulting in a €70,000 CAMHS compensation settlement, with liability admitted.

The settlement brought the matter to a conclusion for our client and her family.

How Coleman Legal helped

Steven Whelan and Keith Rolls guided the family through the process and instructed the independent experts whose evidence identified the deficiencies in our client’s care.

Reflecting on the case, the solicitors explained that the concern for the family was:

“Not simply that medication was prescribed, but that powerful psychiatric medications appear to have been used without a clear diagnosis, documented rationale or adequate monitoring.”

They emphasised the importance of careful clinical assessment and treatment tailored to the individual needs of young people receiving mental health care.