Medical Negligence
Every day there are mistakes made by healthcare professionals. The majority of these result in no or very little harm to the patient. In fact, it is probably fair to say that when mistakes are made, as the patient doesn’t know what to look for, they are not aware that a mistake has been made.
Unfortunately, not all mistakes can go unnoticed. Some mistakes made by healthcare professionals result in severe or potentially life threatening conditions. Sometimes, although it may be unthinkable, there are cases where there has been deliberate harm done to a patient.
Somewhere in between these 2 cases are the cases of the genuine mistakes and accident. In these instances, patients may be entitled to compensation for any trauma or lasting effects that they have suffered.
Compensation claims involving medical negligence are on the increase and so are the firms that will fight them on your behalf. Just like other types of injury claims, there are ‘no win – no fee’ solicitors who specialise in these areas.
Expenses Included In A Clinical Negligence Settlement
If you file a claim for clinical negligence, the amount of money that you might receive will depend upon the type of injury and the severeness. But, it will also include several other factors that will all be taken into consideration by a jury.
If you have had to miss a lot of work because of a mistake or error made by a medical professional, you will be entitled to compensation for the amount of money you lost. But, if you’re permanently unable to work, the jury must take that into account and provide an adequate amount to cover it.
A jury must also consider any past or future medical bills that you may have. The amount of your settlement for medical bills, will be based on how long it is expected to take you to recover. It will also depend on how much the treatment will cost during this time.
If you are going to need a private nurse or specialized medical equipment, that will be added into the total amount as well. Depending on the severity of your injuries, pain and suffering can often be the main factor in determining a sufficient amount for a claim by a jury.
Last, but not least, you will usually be reimbursed for any of your legal fees that you have incurred because of criminal negligence. Aside from your actual fees to retain a lawyer, you may also be entitled to fees that were charged by a medical investigator, or any fees you were charged for examinations that were required by the court.
If you are in the midst of filing a clinical negligence claim, it is crucial that you save all of the receipts, test results and any other medical papers that pertain to your injuries. Keeping meticulous records will not only result in a larger settlement, it may even help you to prove your case.