Medical negligence claims (also called Clinical negligence claims) arise for all kinds of reasons. At Serious Accident Solicitors Ltd, the claims we deal with often relate to –

• Cauda equina syndrome
• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Nervous shock
• Pressure sores
• Surgical mistakes

Many medical illnesses and conditions depend on a timely diagnosis. Broken bones need to be re-set or they will become misaligned. Infections such as appendicitis require immediate treatment to avoid serious consequences. Cancer should be detected in the early stages to stop it spreading.

These are just a few examples. However, they show just how important it is to get a correct diagnosis as quickly as possible or a patient could receive the wrong treatment, or no treatment at all. This could result in ongoing pain, additional injuries and even a poor future prognosis.

If a misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis has caused your medical condition to worsen, please do not hesitate to contact us. We can establish whether a reasonable medical practitioner would have diagnosed your condition earlier. If so, there could be grounds for a claim.

We all expect to receive a good standard of care from medical professionals. When something goes wrong, it can be extremely distressing. Some patients even develop psychiatric symptoms because of the trauma they have suffered. This is known as nervous shock. 

We help victims of medical negligence claim compensation for their psychological injuries. In certain circumstances, a loved one who witnessed an unexpected traumatic event may also develop nervous shock.  While these claims are not common, if you have suffered in this way, call us for advice on whether you may have a claim as a secondary victim.

Pressure sores happen when the tissue is subject to a prolonged period of pressure – something which will occur if a patient lies in bed for too long without moving. What happens is that blood cannot reach the area, depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. The tissue then breaks down, resulting in an open sore. 

Nurses and other care professionals should take steps to prevent pressures sores. For example, a patient who cannot move of their own accord should be turned regularly. If a pressure sore does develop, it should be quickly spotted and treated.

This stops it from deteriorating any further. Otherwise, it can easily get infected. If you or your loved one developed a pressure sore in hospital or other care setting, please contact us for advice. We can explore whether negligence is a factor.

All surgical procedures have an element of risk. Not all poor surgical outcomes are the result of medical mistakes or negligence. However, if you have been injured during surgery because of a mistake that could have been prevented, you may have a claim.

This might include if the surgical team:

• Operates on the wrong part of the body
• Leaves surgical instruments inside you
• Performs the wrong surgical procedure
• Damages the internal organs and does not diagnose and repair the injury

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when the nerves at the bottom of the spine are compressed. If the nerves are not decompressed quickly enough, permanent nerve damage can occur. This can be a terrible affliction to live with, as it can mean ongoing pain, leg numbness and bowel and bladder dysfunction.

If you sought help for your symptoms but medical professionals failed to diagnose and treat your cauda equina syndrome in time, please contact us. We can investigate whether delays in your treatment caused you to suffer unnecessary harm.