Clinical negligence is a broad term that denotes a breach in the duty of care involved in medical treatment.
Duty of care is a legally binding obligation for medical professionals and healthcare professionals; as such malpractice can occur in any field of healthcare.
When we go to the doctors or to the hospital we place our lives in their hands, and we are reassured that in any clinical work there is a duty of care and we trust in the knowledge, expertise and well meaning of doctors and nurses.
But unfortunately things can go wrong and people can sometimes make mistakes; these are usually minor and are generally identified before more severe consequences take effect, for the most part there is generally little cause for concern and you can have confidence in the competence of medical professionals. However you may find you are on the receiving end of an unexpected outcome. If so, given the extremely personal and intimate nature of malpractice errors, it is natural you shouldseek compensation for any physical or mental trauma you incur, as well as any loss of earnings owing to extended periods of recovery.
Malpractice errors range in severity according the nature of the treatment; claims for compensation will likely be proportionate to the effect, treatment required to rectify it and any consequential loss. Whether you’ve been subject to a misdiagnosis that has caused unnecessary suffering or a surgical error, you may be entitled to compensation.
Some of the most common violations of the duty of care include:
- Misdiagnosis
- Failing or delaying diagnosis or treatment
- Faulty devices and medical products
- Accidents during surgery
- Leaving equipment inside the body during surgery
- Improper or inaccurate treatment
- Overlooking or failure to recognise symptoms of ill health
