There are many different types of negligence claims in the UK. Some cover medical professionals, while others focus on accountants. Negligence is defined as a breach in the duty of care that results in subsequent damage. In some cases, this damage is financial and in others, it is fatal for the person involved.
Here are some of the most common negligence claims in the UK.
Medical misdiagnosis
Clinical negligence is a huge problem in the UK, and it must be addressed. From 2018 to 2019, the NHS paid a whopping £2.36 billion in negligence claims. There were nearly 11.7 thousand clinical negligence claims to the NHS in 2019/20.
A large portion of these claims come down to medical misdiagnosis. For example, a doctor may fail to diagnose a common medical condition. Or, the doctor may purposely keep the diagnosis from the patient and fail to tell them the truth. Misdiagnosis can cause the patient’s symptoms to worsen over time if they do not receive treatment. The patient could carry on with their everyday life, only to receive a much worse diagnosis down the line.
In the pandemic, there were extremely long wait times and referrals of patients. Many patients had to wait for a diagnosis as their condition worsened. Some claim this is a form of medical negligence on the NHS’ part.
Surgical negligence
Surgical negligence is a terrifying thought. Imagine lying on the surgical table, and the surgeon leaves a sponge inside you or amputates the wrong leg. The surgeon may have made a mistake by accident or on purpose. Surgical negligence can have catastrophic consequences in an instant.
Prescription and medical error
Your GP could prescribe you the wrong medication. This medication could worsen your symptoms or react with other medication you are taking. GPs must be extremely cautious when prescribing medication, and they should take into account the patient’s full medical history.
If hospital care has been subpar, you can file a hospital negligence claim. You will have to relive the traumatic situation again when you tell your lawyer and, potentially, in court. Many people struggle to navigate this trauma and avoid filing a claim. Medical negligence can have a profound impact on the victim’s life.
