The NHS Litigation Authority, responsible for indemnifying the service against legal action, has set aside over £26 billion to cover the costs of medical negligence for existing and future liabilities. Last year over £1.3 billion was paid out to cover medical negligence claims.
Part of the problem appears to be that hospitals sometimes try to cover up mistakes, making it far more costly than if they simply admitted failures in the first place. The denial and subsequent investigations increase the cost of legal payouts by increasing the amount of work and time involved in bringing each case to a close.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is now expected to unveil plans to fine hospitals that are dishonest about medical mistakes. hospitals which are unable to show that they have been forthright about negligence cases will face fines of up to £100,000.
What is medical negligence?
Medical or clinical negligence can come in many forms, but in general you can make a claim for compensation if you have suffered an injury because the healthcare provider
- Failed to diagnose your condition or made an incorrect diagnosis
- Administered the wrong drug
- Made a mistake during the procedure or operation
- Failed to get your consent for the treatment
- Failed to warn you about the risks of a particular treatment
Compensation for medical negligence
You might be able to claim for compensation for any injuries or losses suffered as a result of negligent treatment, either for yourself, or for someone who cannot make the claim themselves; for example someone who has died as a result of the negligence. You can be compensated for the following:
- Payment for ongoing treatment
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Compensation for psychological damage
- The cost of extra care or equipment
What to do if you have suffered from medical negligence
The NHS has procedures for making complaints about negligence. However, as this story demonstrates, not all hospitals are as good at accepting responsibility for their mistakes. Our solicitors have years of experience in dealing with cases of clinical and medical negligence, and will swiftly be able to talk you through the process and see if you are eligible to make a claim for compensation. Contact us today and see if we can help you get the pay out you deserve.