University Hospital Limerick has apologised and admitted liability in the case of a 65-year-old man, who died following complications from colorectal surgery.
The family of Michael Daly, from the Lee estate in Limerick, had taken a case against the HSE following his death in 2010.
The original inquest into his death had recorded a verdict of death from natural causes but a second inquest last year found he had died as a result of medical misadventure.
The case was settled today in the High Court and a letter on behalf of UHL addressed to his widow Mary, was read to the court.
In the letter, the hospital offered its sincere apologies to the Daly family.
It said that, regrettably, investigations had shown that aspects of the care received by Mr Daly did not reach the standards that could be expected.
It said the hospital admitted liability and apologised unreservedly to the family for the hurt, stress and upset that was caused.
Sixteen members of the Daly family were present in court today. Afterwards, his son Mike Daly junior spoke outside the court.
"Today with the admission of liability and the public apology from the HSE we can finally close off this chapter in our pursuit of justice for our father."
He continued: "However, it is important to highlight that most medical negligence cases involve a single incident ... in our father's case there were over 20 separate incidence of medical negligence constituting a sustained pattern of negligence over a two-and-a-half-year period, ultimately leading to our father's death."
Barrister Doireann O'Mahony acting on behalf of the Daly family said they had spent "14 years battling for accountability and justice".
She said today was a great day for them and "not a single one of their tears has been wasted".
She described how the family's campaign had resulted in a "historic" second inquest last year, during which new evidence came to light that Mr Daly had an infection and had developed sepsis before his death.
Expert testimony had found that the sepsis had driven his heart failure.
The inquest ultimately recorded the verdict of death by medical misadventure.
Ms O'Mahoney said Mr Daly's son, Mike junior, had spent years going through his father's medical records and the second inquest had been a major turning point for the family because they felt they finally had answers.
During the hearing, Mr Daly's granddaughter Layla Daly, gave a statement to the court.
In it she said her grandfather was great man who was loved by his community and was "the very best husband, father and grandfather".
She said today was the day they had finally waited for and concluded by saying: "You can now rest in peace, we love you forever... you will never walk alone."
Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the Daly family.
