Are you a victim of hospital neglect?
March 22, 2019
A hospital should help patients to recover from an injury or illness. That, in short, is why no-one should ever expect to endure additional pain and suffering once they arrive. However, hospital neglect is a reality for some unfortunate victims even after a somewhat brief stay.
Indeed, most patients will not need to worry about substandard care during a hospital stay. Nevertheless, it’s possible for healthcare practitioners to be negligent towards the very people they should be caring for.
Fearful that you’re a victim of hospital neglect during a hospital stay? We’re here to help: accordingly, read on to learn more about your rights and options.
What would you classify as Hospital Neglect?
Medical practitioners in both NHS and private hospitals have a duty of care towards their patients. Say that one or more practitioners provide substandard care to patients. In turn, it causes them unnecessary pain and suffering
By rule, this would constitute an actual instance of hospital neglect, or hospital negligence.
Examples of hospital negligence (in private or NHS care) where you can pursue a claim for compensation include:
- A medical misdiagnosis;
- Mistakes during an operation;
- An incorrect diagnosis in A&E;
- Poor post-operative care;
- No informed consent;
- Any negligent actions that lead to personal injury;
- Lack of care against the health care plan;
- A hospital-acquired infection (such as MRSA or C-Difficile), and;
- The administering of the wrong medication.
Reasons to Make a Formal Hospital Complaint
If you suspect you have been the victim of hospital negligence, consider following the complaints procedure to either the NHS or a governing body. Get in touch with a firm for an initial consultation, especially against NHS trust and parliamentary and health service. Cases involving doctors and nurses can be part of the claims process alike.
Did you, in fact, experience an error at an NHS hospital? Through a complaint, they will perform an in-depth investigation to identify if, how and why you suffer poor quality care during your stay. As a result, you could receive an apology for medical negligence and a written explanation. It will be of particular interest to the Health Service ombudsman, who will want to ensure they do better.
What’s more, their findings could potentially support a hospital negligence claim, as it could provide evidence that you were a victim of a medical error. As a result, it could help you to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
Putting a hospital neglect claim together
On the other hand, you may want to go another route and raise a hospital negligence claim. In essence, if you have a viable case, most law firms (including the ones we work with) will take up your case on a No Win, No Fee basis.
Which begs the question: how do you effectively put together a winning case for hospital neglect? The necessary evidence, in fact, will likely include:
- your personal medical records, and;
- a report from an independent medical expert.
Please note that this report is a very helpful document for your medical treatment compensation claim. It will provide a clear picture of:
- the extent of your injury as caused by the healthcare professional(s);
- on all types of medical negligence cases;
- the effect on your health, and;
- any potential repercussions for the future.
The Time Limit for a Hospital Negligence Claim
There is a statutory time limit in place for hospital negligence compensation claims. At present, you have three years from either:
- the date of your injury or;
- from the date you became aware of medical negligence.
However, if you were under 18 years of age at the date of the incident, you will have until your 21st birthday to make a claim.
Yet, say that the claimant is:
- under the age of 18 or;
- has legally been ruled out of managing their finances due to a mental disability.
As a result, you could serve as their litigation friend. If a claim is successful, any compensation a victim earns goes into a trust for the victim.
Consequently, the aim will be to support both their care and recovery. Moreover, these earnings can also accrue interest until they can successfully manage their finances.
It’s the nature of hospital neglect claims that they often arise long after the exposure. Yet that does not mean that a good compensation lawyer like ours cannot successfully obtain compensation through clinical negligence claims. But while we can take on your case at any point, it’s best to act quickly.
For instance, imagine that it’s nearly three years after the hospital neglect occurs. Now, compare that scenario with a month after the occurrence. By comparison, the latter scenario
Make a No Win No Fee Hospital Neglect Claim
No patient should be forced to pay any form of price for hospital negligence. To ensure you don’t suffer any additional pain and suffering, embark on a hospital negligence claim on a no win no fee basis.
Our medical negligence solicitors will develop a robust case to help you receive the maximum compensation amount. What’s more, our no win no fee medical claims ensure you will not need to pay any upfront legal costs, so there will be no financial risk. Contact us today to arrange a free, no obligation consultation.