What is a clinical negligence claim? Medical negligence, which is sometimes referred to as clinical negligence, happens when a medical professional has taken a certain action or has failed to act appropriately, and this has caused an injury or an illness. You can claim for this using the services of a clinical negligence solicitor. What is a clinical negligence solicitor? A personal injury solicitor with specific experience in medical negligence claims.
Read on to learn more about what to consider if you’re interested in hiring a medical negligence solicitor to assist with a medical negligence claim in Bognor Regis or elsewhere. We’ll share some tips on how to make sure you find a high-quality solicitor that suits your requirements. We’ll also talk about how our own team of solicitors can help out and what types of medical negligence claims we can support.
Also in this guide, we’ll discuss some relevant statistics regarding NHS medical negligence claims. We’ll also talk about time limits to consider when making a claim and how damage payments work. We also explain how claiming under a No Win No Fee agreement works and how such an approach could benefit you.
How To Claim For Medical Negligence In Bognor Regis
Bognor Regis Medical Negligence Solicitors
From doctors to dentists, and NHS hospitals to private clinics, medical negligence can be attributed to anyone in the healthcare sector. Moreover, there are many different ways medical negligence can happen. Examples include misdiagnosis, late diagnosis, surgical errors, illnesses contracted due to a lack of hygiene, and mistreatment. The consequences of any of these incidents can be severe, resulting in further injuries and sometimes even fatal consequences. With that in mind, if you or someone you love has been the victim of medical negligence, read on to discover more about finding the best solicitor in Bognor Regis for your claim.
Tips For Choosing The Best Medical Negligence Lawyer In Your Area
If you take a look online, you will see that there are many different solicitors for you to choose from when launching a claim. This can make it difficult to narrow down your search, but if you consider a number of different factors carefully, you should be able to find the best solicitor for you. This includes looking at the solicitor’s level of experience, not only in the personal injury claim sector but also in regards to clinical negligence claims specifically.
You should also make sure the solicitor has a good track record and is experienced. Using a professional service like the one offered by Legal Expert is the best way to find the most suitable solicitor for your claim.
Is It Best To Use A Local Solicitor?
You may assume that your only option is to use the services of a solicitor based in Bognor Regis, but this is not the case. In today’s modern world, we have so many different communication methods available to us. This includes talking over the phone, video chats, instant messaging, emails, and much more. Because of this, there is no need to meet with your solicitor in person. This means you can find a solicitor based on more important factors, like experience and reputation.
Check Bognor Regis Solicitor Reviews
Another important step when looking for the best solicitor if you have been the victim of a clinical negligence breach of duty is to read reviews that have been left by previous clients. This will give you objective and honest insight. Nevertheless, this is no match to working with industry professionals that can provide free advice on the claims process and supply you with the right solicitor for your case. That is what we can do at Legal Expert.
What Types Of Claims Does Our Bognor Regis Medical Negligence Team Handle?
The clinical negligence team at Legal Expert has the capacity to handle all types of medical negligence claims. It does not matter whom you are claiming against or how your injury or illness occurred; we have the experience to assist. You can find out more about all of the types of claims that we cover below.
Hospital Negligence
No matter whether you were being treated in a private or NHS hospital, you can make a claim if you have been the victim of negligence. Common hospital negligence claims include cases whereby there have been errors during surgery, as well as illnesses that have been contracted due to poor sanitation, anaesthetic errors, incorrect medication being given, and much more. We can help you claim against local hospitals in Bognor Regis, as well as any other hospitals in the UK.
Dental Negligence
A lot of people do not realise that dental errors also count as medical negligence. If your dentist has extracted the wrong tooth, failed to pick up on a problem you are experiencing, or given you the wrong medication, you can make a claim.
GP or Doctor Negligence
When unwell, our doctor or GP is typically tasked with diagnosing the problem. If they make a mistake, for example, they overlook an illness or diagnose it incorrectly, this can cause many problems, as you will not be treated correctly. You may be given the wrong medication or no medication at all. Either way, you should make a claim to get the payout you deserve.
Instances of Cancer Negligence
When cancer is not treated quickly and effectively, it can spread, which can result in fatal consequences. If you or someone you love has been the victim of cancer misdiagnosis or late diagnosis, you will definitely have grounds for a claim.
Negligence In A Nursing Home
If a loved one has been the victim of nursing home negligence, you can make a claim on their behalf. Not only can you claim if they have been mistreated by staff members, but you can also claim if they have been the victim of any other type of negligence, for example, if they have not been given the correct medication or if they have fallen because a member of staff left an object in their way.
Negligent Treatment During Childbirth
When giving birth, you put your faith in the hands of the midwife and the other medical professionals to look after you and make sure that you and your newborn are fine. In most cases, this is exactly what happens. However, if mistakes are made, and they cause injuries to you or your baby, it can be devastating. We can help you to claim for such incidents. Some examples of issues that can happen during birth include fracturing a baby’s bones, intervention errors, failing to identify or intervening too late when the baby or mother is in distress, cerebral palsy caused by limited oxygen supply, organ damage, mismanaged pre-eclampsia, and third and fourth-degree perineal tears.
Medical Negligence Claims Against NHS Foundation Trusts In The Area
You may be wondering how many claims are made in Bognor Regis, and how many payments have been made to medical negligence victims. You can find this information in the table below. However, please note that the data only refers to NHS accident compensation claims. This is because there is no data available for private medical organisations. However, we can still help you to launch private claims, so please get in touch if you require assistance.
There are two trusts covering this area:
1. Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
| Trust | Number of claims | Number of incidents | Payments made by the trust |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | 79 | 86 | £3,875,961 |
| Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust | 81 | 84 | £9,227,290 |
Statistics For NHS Medical Negligence Claims Across Britain
You may be asking just how many negligence claims are made against the NHS across Britain and not just within Bognor Regis. Statistics published by NHS Resolution can give us insight into this matter. NHS Resolution is a department within the health service that exists to handle personal injury claims on behalf of the organisation.
The NHS Resolution Annual Report for 2020/21 shows that the NHS received 12,629 medical negligence claims and reported incidents within the covered time period. This marked a 7.5% in claims when compared to the 2019/20 period. During that particular time period, the NHS received 11,678 claims.
The 2020/21 annual report also confirms that the NHS settled 15,674 clinical and non-clinical claims during the covered period. Out of these settled claims, 11,704 (74.7%) of them were resolved before any court proceedings were required. Some court proceedings were involved with 3,914 (25%) of the claims. 56 (just 0.3%) of the claims required a court trial to be settled.
Time Limits For Starting Claims In Bognor Regis With Medical Negligence Lawyers
If you’re seriously considering making a medical negligence claim, then you need to make sure you have enough time to get your claim underway. Under the Limitation Act 1980, a three-year time limit is usually applied to potential personal injury claims. This time limit starts from the day your injuries occurred or the day they could be diagnosed.
We would always urge you to start a medical negligence claim as soon as possible if you have evidence to support one. Personal injury claims, including those related to medical negligence, can prove complex and can therefore take a while to start up.
In certain circumstances, the three-year time limit for starting a claim may be put on hold at least temporarily. If, for instance, a victim of medical negligence is a child, then the time limit for starting a claim won’t apply to them until the day they reach their 18th birthday. Before reaching the age of 18, a victim will not be able to start a claim on their own behalf.
Also, if a victim lacks the mental capacity to make decisions independently, then the time limit for claiming will be frozen. It will only be activated if and when the victim regains enough mental capacity to make their own decisions.
If a victim of medical negligence is unable to claim on their own behalf, a claim could potentially be started on their behalf by a representative. This representative, formerly referred to as a Litigation Friend, is usually someone close to the victim, such as a parent or guardian.
What Damages May be Claimed Through Bognor Regis Claims With Medical Negligence Lawyers
If you meet all the requirements to start a medical negligence claim, then something to be considered is what exact damages to claim for and how they’re categorised. The damages which you could potentially be compensated for through a personal injury claim can be put into two main categories:
General damages
Payments for general damages are given to compensate you for the physical and mental injuries you’ve suffered as a direct consequence of negligence. Money can be offered for each individual injury which can be diagnosed and linked to the negligence you’ve suffered. How much is offered for a single injury depends on how severe it is deemed to be through a proper medical assessment.
Special damages
Usually with personal injury claims, it is only possible to receive compensation for special damages if you are able to receive any payments for general damages. Special damages focuses mainly on financial losses and certain other losses which can be directly connected with the negligence you’ve experienced. As an example, if the injuries caused by negligence have led you to lose out on earnings from work, special damages compensation may be able to compensate for this.
No Win No Fee Lawyers Covering Bognor Regis
You now know about all of the different factors you must consider when looking for a solicitor to handle your claim. However, there is one final aspect that has not been discussed, and this is the payment for the solicitor. A lot of people worry that they cannot afford legal assistance. They fear they will spend money on a solicitor and then the case will be unsuccessful, meaning they will be out of pocket. This is where the No Win No Fee approach comes in. This means you will pay the lawyer a percentage of your compensation, and so if the case is not a winning one, you do not need to pay anything at all. This means that all monetary risk is eliminated. It also means that anyone can claim no matter their financial standing.
Taking The Next Steps With Legal Expert
If you are ready to get in touch with us here at Legal Expert, we are ready to provide you with the assistance you need. We are available seven days a week, and our personal injury claims line is open from 9 am until 9 pm. The number you need is 0800 073 8804. We will happily answer any questions you may have, and all of the legal advice we provide comes free of charge. You are not obligated to proceed with our service, but if you wish to, we will provide you with the best solicitor for your case. You can also contact us via our live chat feature at any time of the day, as well as via our online contact form or by requesting a free call back on our website.
Useful Links
Hopefully, you have found this guide useful in your quest to discover more about medical negligence claims in Bognor Regis. Nevertheless, if you need more information, you should find the following links helpful:
Clinical Negligence
This is our comprehensive guide to clinical negligence.
Legal Fee Restrictions
There are limits on the legal fees for this type of case. Find out more here.
NHS England – data
Data on NHS England cases of negligence can be found here.
Claiming guide
Head to this link to find out more about the process involved when making a claim.
Other Helpful Links for Medical Negligence
- Billericay Medical Negligence Solicitors
- Medical Negligence Solicitors For Birkenhead
- Medical Negligence Solicitors For Blackburn
- Medical Negligence Solicitors For Blackheath
- Medical Negligence Solicitors For Bolton
- Bootle Medical Negligence Solicitors
- Borehamwood Medical Negligence Solicitors
- Bournemouth Medical Negligence Solicitors
- Medical Negligence Solicitors For Bracknell
- Cosmetic Surgery Claims Guide
- Surgical Error Claims Guide
Links to the local hospital, GP and dentist in this Bognor Regis
NHS hospital
Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital
Shripney Road
Bognor Regis
PO22 9PP
Tel:01243 865418
Web: www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk
Private hospital
Chichester Hospital
78 Broyle Road
Chichester
PO19 6WB
Tel: 01243 884613
GP
The Health Centre
West Street
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 1UT
Tel: 01243 826541
Dentist
Bupa Dental Care
Belmont Street
Bognor Regis
West Sussex
PO21 1LG
Tel: 01243 823880
Thank you for reading our guide on hiring medical negligence solicitors for Bognor Regis claims.
