Negligent Knee Surgery and How To Claim Compensation
A common and usually highly successful operation, knee surgery can, nonetheless, occasionally result in long-term problems for the patient and may justify a claim for compensation.
Knee surgery and medical negligence
Negligent medical care in relation to knee surgery can present in a variety of ways:
- A 'Never Event' may occur. This refers to events in the course of medical care which, simply put, should never happen with an appropriate standard of care. In the case of knee surgery a 'never event' may be the use of an incorrect implant, carrying out a procedure to the wrong knee or even carrying out a procedure to the wrong patient. A 'never event' is clearly an act of negligence.
- A post-operative infection in a knee joint can cause severe problems for the patient. It may require the patient to undergo further surgery. It may trigger sepsis which can be life-threatening. If an infection is felt to have been due negligent infection care, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
- Accidental damage, such as damage to a nerve, during the course of knee surgery may further compromise the patient's mobility and justify a claim for compensation.
- Poor surgical technique requiring further surgery and affecting the patient's long-term mobility and quality of life may be regarded as negligent and may justify a claim for compensation.
The right to compensation
If a patient suffers a worse outcome following negligent or substandard medical care than would have been the case with an acceptable level of care, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation.
In the case of negligent knee surgery, a patient may find that their mobility is permanently compromised, affecting their ability to earn a living and reducing their quality of life. Likewise the impact of a severe infection in the joint can be life-changing and may justify a claim for compensation.
For a compensation claim to succeed, it must be found that an act of negligence or breach of duty has occurred and that the negligence has been responsible, to some degree, for the patient's long-term problems.
Speak to a legal specialist
A solicitor who specialises in medical negligence law will have access to the best medical experts who can investigate the quality of your medical care. They will also have the experience to negotiate the best settlement on your behalf if, indeed, it is found that you have been the victim of negligence.
Glynns Solicitors is a dedicated medical negligence legal practice with a team of experienced lawyers. Contact us to speak with a specialist solicitor, free of charge, about the possibility of making a claim for compensation.
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