Clinical Negligence in Orthopaedics and How to Claim Compensation
A serious error in orthopaedic care can cause permanent, disabling and life-changing consequences for the patient. Their mobility, dexterity and independence may be fundamentally compromised and they may become dependent on personal care.
The right to compensation
If negligent clinical care by medical professionals has contributed to such an unexpected and dramatic outcome, the individual affected may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A patient, whose long-term outcome is adversely affected by negligent medical care, is entitled to claim compensation for the consequences of the negligence. This remains true whether we are talking about primary or secondary care, in the process of diagnosis or surgery.
Compensation claims for clinical negligence address the consequences of the negligence insofar as they patient's quality of life has been affected. For example, if an individual's ability to work has been restricted in some way due to the consequences of the negligence, their loss of earning s would be included in a successful claim.
If the patient requires some degree of personal or household assistance, the associated costs can be incorporated into their claim insofar as they have been caused by the negligence.
Errors in the orthopaedic care pathway
Errors in the care pathway for an orthopaedic issue can occur at almost any stage of the patient's experience.
- They may suffer an error of diagnosis such as their issue being misdiagnosed, leading to incorrect treatment, or being underdiagnosed where the extent of an injury is not recognised
- There may be a significant delay in diagnosis, due to delays in referrals, resulting in an unnecessary worsening of symptoms and a worse outcome than would have been possible with more timely care
- An error in surgery may undermine the patient's long-term recovery whether through the use of an incorrect technique or prosthesis, or through errors of positioning and care of the patient during surgery
- There may be an error in the course of post-operative care, allowing the patient to develop infection which may compromise the success of their operation
Speak to a medical negligence legal specialist
If your long-term health, independence and quality of life has been undermined by negligent medical care of an orthopaedic problem, speak to a legal specialist at the earliest possible moment.
If you are thinking of making a claim, your medical records will need to undergo scrupulous analysis by the best medical experts in order to establish whether or not your care was compromised by negligence.
A specialist lawyer will be able to obtain your records and have access to the best experts who can carry out this investigation.
Glynns Solicitors
Here at Glynns, we specialise in medical negligence law and have years of experience in supporting high-value claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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