Orthopaedic Surgery Compensation Claims 2016-2017
The annual report recently issued by NHS Resolution has identified that orthopaedic surgery accounted for 13% of all clinical negligence claims received by the NHS in the twelve-month period 2016 - 2017.
Causes of orthopaedic negligence
Orthopaedic surgery represented the single biggest category of claim by one specific medical specialty. With the total number of clinical negligence claims received at 10,686, thirteen per cent relates to something in the region of 1400 occurrences of alleged orthopaedic negligence.
One of the reasons why orthopaedic surgery is the cause of so many compensation claims could be because it is a specialty that encompasses a huge range of surgical procedures. Orthopaedics can deal with operations such as hip or knee replacements, spinal surgery, dealing with broken or fractured bones, surgery to hands or feet, to name but a few.
Orthopaedic negligence that might lead to a claim could include incidents such as a failure or delay in diagnosis, an injury to a nearby nerve or organ or blood vessel during the operation, a failure to obtain proper consent or poor surgical management.
'Never Events'
The NHS Resolution report further revealed a shocking 424 occurrences of events which should never happen during the course of NHS treatment. Several of these events relate to orthopaedic surgery, perhaps indicating why it is an area prompting significant numbers of compensation claims.
Examples of 'never events' relevant to orthopaedic surgery, which occurred over the 2016 - 2017 period included wrong site surgery on the hand and hip, procedures on the wrong side of both knee and hip, use of the wrong prosthesis in both hip and knee operations, and surgery at the incorrect level of the spine.
Other major claims areas
The other major medical fields which generated high numbers of claims during 2016 - 2017 are casualty or A&E, responsible for 12% of claims, and obstetrics - relating to pregnancy and childbirth - responsible for 10% of claims. Both categories represent over 1,000 clinical negligence claims each against the National Health Service over a twelve month period.
Have you experienced negligent treatment?
If you or a loved one have received substandard or negligent medical treatment, you should speak to an experienced solicitor. You may be able to make a claim for compensation for the pain and injuries you have suffered.
Glynns Solicitors is a specialist medical negligence legal practice. Contact us to discuss your experience with one of our team of skilled solicitors.
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