The issue of medical negligence is rarely out of the headlines.

Despite the NHS regularly being praised as one of the best health care systems in the world and doctors and nurses throughout the UK working tirelessly, mistakes do happen from time to time through human error.

A lapse of concentration or poor judgement by trained medical experts can potentially have disastrous consequences and change the lives of entire families, meaning cases of alleged medical negligence are treated very seriously.

Anyone impacted by cases of medical negligence are left angry and disappointed at the level of service they or their loved ones have received and understandably go in search of answers and seek justice. This is where First4lawyers can help to hold those responsible to account and lodge a personal injury claim that if successful could ultimately lead to compensation.

What is medical negligence?

Medical negligence refers to claims made against dentists, doctors, nurses, surgeons, as well as other members of the medical profession when medical treatment receives falls below the accepted standard of practise.

What are the most common medical negligence claims?

Some of the most common medical negligence claims focus on raising concerns over inadequate or negligent medical care in general and inadequate or negligent dental care. Injuries sustained during childbirth are also quite common as well as brain injuries, faulty medical implants, inappropriate treatment, misdiagnosis, spinal injuries and surgical errors.

What should you do in the event of medical negligence occurring?

It can be a worrying time for anyone who has been affected by medical negligence as concerns over general wellbeing arise and take precedence over everything else. Once the initial shock subsides, though, you may want to make a formal complaint against the NHS and start a personal injury claim. Write or talk in person with the practitioner concerned and the organisation they work for to discuss the issue and to raise awareness of being unhappy with the level of service and care received. Also approach your local primary care trust and take the matter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which is an independent body responsible for reviewing complaints against the NHS. It’s worth acting sooner rather than later if you feel you have grounds to make a compensation claim for medical negligence because the NHS advise to flag up any problems within the first 12 months, although this time limit can be extended depending on the circumstances of a particular case.

How much compensation could I receive if medical negligence is proven?

Every case of medical negligence is different so it’s difficult to say exactly what you may be entitled to in the form of compensation. The severity of any injuries will be taken into account along with other factors like loss of earnings if you have been left unable to work as a result of medical negligence as well as the cost of any additional medical treatment if applicable. A rough guide to compensation can be found here.