Healthcare is generally excellent in the UK, but sometimes negligence can lead to medical mistakes or unnecessary suffering for a patient. If you’ve suffered from medical negligence, then it can be a stressful time. You’ll be worrying about your recovery while trying to work out your next steps with your doctor. However, you might be able to ease this process by making a medical negligence claim. Below, we explore what this is and when you should make it.
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence refers to a situation where your medical care has fallen below expected standards of competence and judgement. This might have led to an incorrect diagnosis, unnecessarily invasive treatment, injury or even death.
When should you claim?
If your condition has worsened due to the treatment you’ve received or if you’ve suffered from negligent medical care, you should try and act quickly. By speaking to medical negligence solicitors as soon as possible, you can find out if you might have a successful case. Ideally, the solicitors will be able to walk you through the process and give you peace of mind.
Time limits
It’s important to note that there are time limits in place when making a medical negligence claim. Indeed, once you first become aware of your injury or worsened condition, you have three years to make a claim. After this period your case will most likely be void and you won’t be able to make a claim.
Calculating damages
Once you’ve started working with solicitors, it’ll be important to calculate the damages you’ve suffered. This refers to the process of working out how much your injuries have cost you. For instance, if medical negligence has left you unable to work, then you’ll be looking to claim back lost earnings and even compensation for the diminished potential of your career. Similarly, if you’ve had to pay for childcare after your injuries, you’ll be able to list this as a damage as well.
Gathering evidence
Gathering evidence is another important step once you’ve started working with solicitors. This is the process of gathering information to support your case. You’ll need an evaluation from an independent doctor to assess the state of your injuries. Ideally, you’ll also keep a diary, noting all the times and dates of your medical appointments to ensure that your solicitors can put together a watertight case for your claim.
When you’ve suffered from medical negligence it can be a stressful time. But by getting in contact with experienced medical negligence solicitors you have peace of mind that your case is progressing, allowing you to focus on your recovery instead.
