When a patient suffers from some kind of medical negligence they are entitled to claim for compensation. In certain cases the level of compensation awarded can be in the millions. The question is, what constitutes medical negligence and how do you know if you can claim?

There are many different kinds of negligence. If you think you have suffered any of the following, then it is worth asking a medical negligence solicitor whether you are entitled to claim for compensation.

GP Mistakes

A GP is, quite rightly, a well respected member of a lot of communities, often caring for several generations of families and as such is not an easy person to claim against. However, GPs are human and mistakes can be made, leading to misdiagnosis or unecessary suffering through mistreatment. In these instances it is entirely possible to make a compensation claim.

Obstetric Mistakes

Some of the most distressing medical negligence cases involve mistakes made during pregnancy and birth. This can include inadequate pain relief, perineal trauma, delayed delivery, mismanagement of labour by a midwife, failure to recognise a high risk patient, maternal or foetal bleeding, misinterpretation of scans and birth injury including cerebral palsy.

While the award of compensation cannot fully make up for the distress, it can help with any resulting, ongoing issues that may have arisen. It is therefore a good idea to check to see if a claim can be made.

Paediatric Mistakes

Even after birth mistakes can be made where children are concerned. Inaccurate diagnosis or poor treatment of a child can lead to serious illness or even death and any parent and child who has suffered such a thing has the right to justice through a compensation claim. It is quite common for parents to be left with no explanation for complications or death of a child – those parents in particular should seek advice.

These claims are similar to any normal adult claim except that it is brought by the parent and Legal Aid is far more readily available.

Gynaecological Mistakes

Gynaecology and obstetric mistakes result in over half of all medical negligence claims, indicating that sadly there are far too many errors made in these fields. The most common cause is misdiagnosis but there are many more reasons to claim, usually resulting from surgery. Women who feel they have been mistreated or misdiagnosed should seek legal advice about making a claim.

Cosmetic Surgery Mistakes

An increasingly more common form of medical negligence is that involving cosmetic surgery. Claims can be brought for errors during surgery, during post-operative care or even from a failure of surgeons to fully explain the risks to the patient before surgery has taken place. This inicludes any kind of breast or facial surgery, liposuction and even laser eye surgery.

Orthopaedic Mistakes

There are so many cases of sufferig from joint, bone or tendon problems in the UK that it is no wonder there are a lot of mistakes made associated with them. These mistakes often lead to a loss of mobility, impaired movement and disability. Misdiagnosed fractures, poor treatment and even surgery can mean that you are entitled to claim for compensation for medical negligence. Seeking legal advice after suffering from this sort of error is strongly recommended.

A&E Mistakes

In the busy, hectic and often stressful environment of a hospital\’s Accident & Emergency department it is little wonder that mistakes can be made by the doctors and nurses on call. Missed or late diagnosis, poor treatment, the failure to refer patients correctly…all are forms of medical negligence and anyone who has experienced this could be entitled to claim compensation.

These are just a few examples of different types of medical negligence that sufferers are entitled to seek compensation for, both for the justice and the money. If you feel you may be entitled then contact solicitors who are medical negligence specialists and they will be able to advise you on the best course of action, often on a no win, no fee basis.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Pearson Hinchliffe, specialists in medical negligence claims of all kinds.

Category: Advice
Keywords: medical negligence, types of negligence, compensation claims, solicitors