How Do I Make a Compensation Claim for Medical Negligence?
Starting a claim for compensation for medical negligence can be daunting. Here's how to make sure you are prepared.
Be clear about your information
In the first instance, you need to try and be clear about the way in which you believe your medical treatment has been in error. It would be useful if you have a record of what occurred and when. For example, was it a misdiagnosis, a delayed referral or poor-quality treatment such as negligent surgery which has caused your problems? What was said by you or to you in relation to what occurred?
It can sometimes be very important to be as precise as possible about the timing in your treatment. These details should be in your medical records but it is helpful if you can recall timings in your first conversation with your solicitor.
You should also consider the ways in which you have been affected, perhaps physically, psychologically and financially, by the negligent medical care you have experienced.
This information will help a solicitor to judge whether or not you might have a valid reason to make a claim for compensation.
Act before three years are up
If you think you have a reason to claim compensation for medical negligence, you must do so within three years of the date when the negligence occurred. For example, if your GP fails to send you for an MRI scan when they ought to have done, the date by which you have to start your compensation claim will be three years after that breach of duty by your medical practitioner.
In some circumstances, this date can be extended if it is clear that you did not discover until a later date that your treatment had been negligent. For example, you may have suffered an undiagnosed third degree tear during childbirth but not be aware of that until a year later when attending a specialist about your bowel problems.
Find a specialist solicitor
Compensation claims for medical negligence can be very complex and lengthy. To have a chance of success, they require the support of a specialist solicitor with access to the best medical experts who can assess whether or not you were the victim of negligence and the impact this has had on your health and quality of life.
Speak to a solicitor
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice with wide-ranging expertise and years of experience. If you or a loved one are struggling with the impact of a significant failure in medical care, contact us to speak to one of our team of expert lawyers.
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