Despite that fact that in the UK the prospects of private healthcare providers are increasing pretty randomly and compared to the earlier times people have started depending a lot more on private healthcare services, a recent estimation shows that currently almost 90% citizens of the country are depending on hospital services provided by the NHS. The healthcare framework of the United Kingdom is not only widely celebrated all over the world, at the same time, benefits that the entire system offers the citizens are also of wide importance. Hospitals under the management of the NHS are famous for their effective service providing capacity and assisting patients in every possible way in dealing with complicated situations. However, in certain contexts things go quite wrong and patients suffer from certain forms of injuries due to negligence of the hospital management towards taking the correct decision.
These unfortunate incidents are addressed by the English legal system under the personal injury law, more specifically referred as hospital negligence. It is true that pressure over the NHS professionals have increased significantly, owing to the population growth of the country. In order to meet up the high demand for quality service, on the other hand the resources are not adequate. In this scenario, it is quite normal that acts of negligence would occur and such incidents should emerge as a great threat against overall welfare of patients. While the government should be cautious enough in dealing with such unfortunate incidents, in actuality adequate measures aren’t taken or if taken, are not sufficient to provide a constructive solution to this problem. Clearly claims against the acts of negligence at hospital are the most effective ways to improve the situation and it requires participation of patients from all sections of the UK society.
The greatest obstacle against producing the desired results is people’s lack of awareness about their civil rights and how the English law is serious about protecting such rights. When it comes to dealing with medical negligence of any sort, the court is extra cautious as the process to provide protection to the right to life starts with ensuring reliable healthcare services. The consequences of hospital negligence can vary from moderate to extreme seriousness and capable of leaving both physical and psychological threats. If you or any of your family members have experienced any of such acts of negligence within past three years, it is high time that you take help of a qualified personal injury solicitor and address the situation at the earliest.
How does an act of Hospital Negligence occur?
The two most common threads in any form of medical negligence at hospitals are inability/incompetence to deal with a situation or sheer negligence. Hospitals, today, are not merely healthcare providing centres but also they are effective instruments to run a profitable business. In many cases it has been found that patients have been admitted in the hospitals but professionals working with the establishment don’t really have the expertise in dealing with the problems. Quite naturally, either the patients have been provided with wrong treatment or they don’t get treated at all. This ultimately leads to worsening of the condition and chances are high that the problem becomes a permanent one. In several cases, such incompetence has also been held responsible for the main cause of death of the patient.
The worst types of negligence during hospital admittance for a patient involve misdiagnosis of the health condition or failure of the hospital administration in taking the best measure that will contribute to the benefit of patients in the best possible manner. Misdiagnosis and failure to initiate with the correct treatment measure leads to worsening of the health condition and in turn may cause permanent handicap to the patient. Some of the most dangerous conditions that hospital negligence may lead to include:
- Injury of the brain
- Injury of the brachial plexus
- Permanent paralysis
- Significant spread of a particular health condition as the correct treatment cannot be catered due to misdiagnosis
- Injury of the spinal region or spinal cord
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MRSA infection- Post traumatic stress disorder and
- Brain injury of the hypoxic-anoxic type
How should you file a Compensation Suit?
Like all types of medical negligence claims, establishing a compensation suit for hospital negligence is equally daunting. There are several factors that get investigated at the first place before even the court starts considering the case. Some of the most important of such factors include – judging relevance of the argument, truthfulness of the facts and figures provided along with the compensation suit, and how truthful the petitioner is in terms of specifying about the injury. In order to find out the truth the jurist will also order necessary details from the hospital. After comparing the evidences, if they are convinced that an act of negligence has actually occurred, contributing to the plight of the petitioner, then based on the nature of the injury caused and circumstance in which the situation occurred, decision over the compensation amount is made. In case it is found that the act of negligence is entirely fault of the hospital management and staffs and nothing have you done that may amount to contributory negligence, then you may even receive the opportunity to deal with the case on no win no fee basis. It means upon winning the case you will be eligible to receive 100% of the estimated compensation. The court will also ensure that the solicitor’s fee and other types of legal fees are taken from the offending party separately so that the plaintiff doesn’t have to pay from this share.
In the UK there are several law firms that help people in dealing with different forms of medical negligence cases, including the hospital ones. Doing a bit of research over the internet would lead you to the best source. Afterwards, you are free to contact them along with your details only to know about their requirements, service changes and the opportunity they think you have in winning the case. Finally, opt for the one that seems not only to be the most convincing but also well within your budgetary capacity.
