Medication Negligence and When to Claim Compensation
An error in the prescription or administration of medication may have a minimal impact on the patient or may cause significant and life-changing difficulties. In the latter case, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
The right to compensation
If a patient suffers a significantly worse outcome following negligent medical care, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
A successful claim will address the consequences of the negligence and the financial losses caused as well as taking account of the patient's general pain and suffering. Where significant symptoms are regarded as being the result of negligent prescription or administration of medication, the patient may struggle to work and the associated loss of earnings would be incorporated into a claim.
If the individual also required some degree of personal care or specialist equipment in order to cope with the symptoms they are suffering, the costs of this could be included in a claim.
Medication negligence
Negligence in relation to medication could take a variety of forms:
- Prescribing medication to which the patient is allergic, causing a life-changing response
- Prescribing or administering an inappropriate dosage of medication which causes life-changing symptoms and consequences
- Failing to provide medication such as antibiotics in a situation where this would normally be regarded as necessary, thereby leaving the patient vulnerable to infection
The consequences of negligence in relation to medication may affect the patient in a myriad of ways, causing difficulties such as balance problems, cognitive difficulties, abdominal issues, hearing problems as well as, in the most severe circumstances, threatening the patient's life.
When to make a claim
An important factor to bear in mind is that compensation claims for negligent medical care are associated with a three-year deadline.
If you think that you may be entitled to make a claim, you should speak with a specialist solicitor at the earliest possible moment. This will give them time to investigate the quality of your medical care and its impact on you well before the deadline.
Speak to a legal specialist
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced solicitors and a long-standing history of success in high-value claims.
Contact us today to talk to a solicitor, free of charge, if you think that you may be in a position to make a claim for compensation.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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