Lost Medical Record and Missing Test Results Claims

Lost Medical Record Claims and Missing Test Results Claims

When you think of causes of medical negligence, you may imagine claims relating to surgical mistakes or failing to refer a patient for tests. While these are common grounds for claiming compensation for medical negligence, a lesser-known but prevalent cause is due to lost test results and lost medical records.

Statistics show this is a fairly large issue: The Telegraph reported in 2012 that 5,000 medical records were lost every day. In short, lost medical record claims are there because of the volume of interactions medical professionals undertake.

Over the course of your illness or treatment, you could see multiple specialists. Each of these interactions requires documentation. Accordingly, the next person treating you has a full picture of your symptoms. Moreover, they’ll need to see the history of medicine or treatment doctors give you, plus their effects.

When medical records and test results go missing, the hole they leave can prevent patients from receiving the right care. That’s the case regardless of how you receive your healthcare. From NHS England to private providers.

Lost Medical Record Claims Examples

Several types of adverse events can lead to lost medical record claims. Accordingly, we list some examples of clinical negligence and medical errors through poor administration below.

• The keeping of incorrect records;
• Lost test results;
• Inadequate management of test results;
• Faulty computer systems that affect reliable retrieval of medical records;
• Unavailable results from blood tests;
• Inactivity from abnormal test results (although this is more likely to fall into other areas of medical negligence);
• Chest X-Ray details not on record;
• Poor handwriting;
• Disregard for data protection compliance, such as disclosure of your email address, that affects patient safety;
• Neglecting to record relevant information upon disclosure, such as allergies and family medical history.

Maintain confidentiality and quality of your medical records

In short, there are so many professionals potentially handling a given patient’s care. Therefore, it’s imperative to maintain and confidentially share high-quality records per legal requirements.

As an example, consider the case of a nurse who neglects to register the time and dose of a patient’s medicine could lead to a disaster in case.

Whether it’s a GP practice or a wide-ranging NHS trust, medical records can include:

• Handwritten notes;
• Electronically generated reports and records;
• Scanned images, including MRI and x-rays;
• Laboratory results;
• Letters from health professionals, and between professionals and the patient;
• Consent forms with a signature;
• Reports from monitoring equipment: for example, a heart rate monitor in an ambulance or A&E.

Obtaining Medical Records For Your Claim

In essence, you have a legal right to request access to your medical records. Alternatively, you can ask a solicitor to do so on your behalf.

For lost medical record claims, the records are a key piece of evidence when care has been negligent. Moreover, they should be made available within 1 month of receiving an appropriate request.

Although unlikely, there may be a cost to obtaining your medical records, though. You’ll need to specify what records you want and that they are necessary to investigate a potential claim for compensation.

Claiming Compensation for Medical Negligence

The Medical Negligence Experts can help with a variety of different medical negligence claims. Including those relating to lost medical records and missing test results. We provide a free, no-obligation consultation so you can ask all the questions you want. In addition, we can get a sense of whether you can claim compensation and what the process involves.

If we determine that you could have a claim, we will connect you an independent law firm to assist you further. All of our partnered law firms can offer you services on a No Win No Fee* basis to make it affordable for everyone. In short, we believe you should have access to expert legal representation and advice. Whether it’s for yourself or a family member, expect the same high standard of care from The Medical Negligence Experts and partnered law firms.

*No Win No Fee: Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.

Talk to us today if you suffer an injury or your condition is made worse due to negligent medical care. We can help you start your claim to obtain compensation to make sure you do not suffer financially. Whether its access to private medical care or covering your daily living expenses if you can’t work while you’re recovering.

No Win No Fee* Agreement

When someone suffers from an illness or injury as a direct result of the negligence medical practitioners have shown you, then you have every right to put forward a medical negligence claim. Accordingly, you don’t want to worry about the costs to retain the support of a medical negligence solicitor.

As medical negligence claims experts, we believe that every person who has been affected by medical malpractice deserve the opportunity to be able to seek resolution from the medical industry.

With a No Win No Fee agreement, you don’t personally need to pay a solicitor anything.

*No Win No Fee: Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.

Win the case, win your compensation

It’s better for you when you’re working with a medical negligence solicitor who works on a No Win, No Fee* basis. In fact, you won’t have to worry about paying any legal fees to your solicitor – unless you win the case. The medical negligence solicitors we work with operate under this agreement in order to enable everyone access to proper legal representation without having to worry about paying upfront costs.

*No Win No Fee: Typically, customers pay 25% including VAT of the compensation amount that is recovered by our third-party law firms, although this is subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be more or less than this. Termination fees may apply if you do not keep to the terms of the agreement.

You can fill in our contact form and let us know when you want us to call you.

*Please note that when it comes to lost medical record claims, certain conditions may apply.