What Is Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence is when medical professionals make mistakes or fail in their duty of care to you, leading to injury or making an existing condition worse. It is important to remember however that all medical treatment carries some inherent risks and just because the treatment has gone wrong or has not been successful, does not necessarily mean that you have been treated negligently.

The consequences of medical negligence (or medical malpractice) can be from minor to catastrophic ranging from just a small delay in your recovery to regrettably sometimes a loss of life. If the consequences are more serious this may result in you incurring greater losses and financial expenses during your lifetime, including loss of earnings and the cost of care. You may be entitled to recover these sums if they arise as a result of the negligence.

The following are some types of medical negligence claims that may arise:

• Misdiagnosis
• Receiving the wrong or no diagnosis for a medical condition, symptoms missed and illnesses worsening.
• Delayed Diagnosis / Delayed Treatment
• Failing to diagnose your condition, leading to the medical condition worsening and avoidable pain and suffering.
• Failing to refer you to a specialist in time.
• Consent
• Failing to advise on the risks of the medical procedure.
• Administering treatment or performing procedures without obtaining consent.
• Surgical mistakes
• Failing to perform medical procedures with due diligence and care resulting in nerve damage or an injury to your organs or further complications.
• Leaving foreign objects in the body.
• Post-Operation - Inappropriate Treatment and Clinical Management
• Inadequately monitoring your medical condition.
• Giving the wrong drugs or receiving inappropriate treatment.
• Giving the incorrect test results or medication.
• Inappropriate or lack of post-operative care.

We have more than ten years of experience handling medical negligence cases. We know that as a patient claimant, it may be challenging for you to find an expert medical practitioner to provide an independent opinion on your case. We will assist you with that and advise you on the merits of your case and the compensation you may be entitled to.

Our medical negligence lawyers understand what you are going through and can help you access specialist rehabilitation and support services to assist with your recovery. We know that, beyond compensation, you would want to know why things went wrong and we will help you get the closure and answers you deserve.

Medical negligence claims usually involve issues of a very sensitive nature and we will handle your claim with great sensitivity and in a sympathetic manner.

There are very strict time limits in which to bring a claim for medical negligence, usually within three years from the date of the negligence, so if you think you may have been the victim of medical negligence, talk to us today to see how best we may help you.