Claiming Compensation for Medical Treatment Delays
For many medical conditions the timing of treatment is crucial to the patient's long-term health and well-being. A delay in treatment may justify a claim for compensation.
Treatment delays
Depending on the medical issue in question, a delay in medical treatment can cause a staggering array of severe, long-lasting and life-changing physical, psychological and cognitive problems.
The on-going impact can be wide-ranging including a loss of employment and income, a loss of mobility and dexterity, a need to change one's home, a loss of confidence and the breakdown of a relationship. An individual may find that they are no longer able to enjoy the sports, hobbies and daily routines that they previously experienced. They may struggle to support their family and nurture their children.
Medical treatment, often in the form of surgery, is time-dependent for many different conditions such as the following:
- Nerve compression in the spine which can lead to function losses
- Nerve damage during surgery
- Cancer
- Cardiac problems
- A stroke
- Hydrocephalus and the build-up of pressure on the brain
- Necrotising fasciitis, where a delay in treatment will increase the risk that the patient will die from this lethal infection
- Sepsis which can lead to multiple organ failure if treatment is delayed
- Perforated bowel where a delay in treatment can prove life-threatening
When can you claim compensation?
If you or a loved one are suffering the severe, debilitating effects of delayed medical treatment, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation. A successful claim would address issues of financial losses such as a reduced income or the costs of care, resulting from the negligence.
However, claims for compensation can be extremely complex and require the skills of a specialist medical negligence solicitor. They will be able to access the input of the best medical experts who will consider the following:
- has medical negligence or a breach of duty actually occurred?
- has the medical negligence had an adverse effect on the patient?
It is important also to remember that claims for compensation need to be instigated within three years of the date of the alleged negligence. If you or a loved one suffered negligent medical treatment in February 2020, for example, it would normally be necessary to initiate a claim by February 2023.
Speak to a specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice, comprising a team of experienced solicitors with wide-ranging expertise across the varied fields of medical negligence.
Contact us today to discuss your situation, free of charge, with a specialist lawyer.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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