Many might not be aware, but the world over, almost as many people die of medical negligence on part of medical attendants as would in road accidents. And this statistic is only a little different for developed and undeveloped countries. Medical negligence leads to deaths and even more injuries - permanent or temporary. Almost always, they lead to a lot of pain and suffering, trauma and additional costs - all of which could be avoided, had the medical staff been a bit more careful. In all such cases, victims can claim compensation.
Proving medical negligence and seeking compensation is a little more complicated than proving negligence in other personal injury cases. They also take more time, money and effort. However, many people are still of the opinion that most medical negligence cases are fabricated. This is quite untrue.
Many people will agree that not everything can be measured in money; and that monetary compensation will not necessarily wipe away all the pain and suffering one had to undergo. Moreover, medical negligence is more serious because it involves a breach of trust. Patients trust doctors with their lives, and when that is betrayed, there is immense mental trauma. That said, compensation serve some very credible purposes:
- it gives victims some legal recourse in the face of the injustice done to them.
- it brings those who were responsible to task.
- it sends out a social message of caution to the medical fraternity.
- it ensures that although you cannot get back what you've lost, at least you will not be continuously inconvenienced for the rest of your life.
Different types of errors on part of the doctor qualify as different medical negligence claims. If you've been a victim of either of the errors given below, contact a solicitor who will help you deal with this:
Misdiagnosis: The doctor either diagnoses the disease wrongly to an unacceptable extent; or else there is an unacceptable delay in diagnosis
Surgical error: Any error during a surgery that is otherwise unacceptable and avoidable
Prescription error: The doctor writes the wrong prescription.
Delivery room error: An error by the midwife, or the ob/gyn that led to your baby being born with some kind of physical trouble.
