Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence, occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the expected standard of care, leading to injury or the worsening of an existing condition. This guide is designed to help you understand your rights and the steps involved in filing a medical negligence claim.
Medical Negligence Defined
Medical negligence arises when healthcare professionals fail to meet the standard of care expected in their profession. Among these are:
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Diagnosing wrongly or taking an unreasonable amount of time before making correct diagnosis which can make the condition/ symptoms get worse.
Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery, like operating on the wrong site or leaving instruments inside the body.
Medication Errors: Prescribing wrong medication and wrong doses that cause harm.
Lack of Informed Consent: Patients are not informed about the risks involved with a procedure leading them to make uninformed decisions.
Poor Follow-Up Care: Inadequate care after treatment or discharge leading to complications.
Your Rights as a Patient
Understanding the rights that accompany medical care is essential for patients. These guidelines have been put in place to ensure that you receive treatment which is both safe and effective and at the same time maintain your dignity. When you are aware of your rights, you can make informed decisions regarding your health care and get justice when substandard services are given to you. There are some main legal and professional rules in Ireland that guarantee some rights of patients in relation to their dealing with healthcare providers.
Right to Safe and Competent Care
This sets out that you can expect healthcare professionals to provide care according to established practices. That means that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers must have proper skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to deliver appropriate treatment. In addition, they should be familiar with the latest advancements in medicine as well as best practices. When this standard is not met causing injury it may amount to malpractice.
Right to Informed Consent
This says that before undergoing any medical procedure or treatment, you must be fully informed about the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. Informed consent involves a conversation between you and your healthcare provider, where you are given all the necessary information to make a voluntary and informed decision about your care. This right ensures that you are an active participant in your healthcare decisions and helps to prevent unwanted or unnecessary treatments.
Right to Confidentiality
Your medical information is private and should be treated with confidentiality. Healthcare providers are obligated to protect your personal health information and only share it with others who are directly involved in your care or with your explicit consent. This right is crucial for maintaining trust in healthcare and ensuring that sensitive information is not disclosed improperly.
Right to Redress
If you suffer harm due to medical negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. This involves holding the responsible party accountable for their actions and receiving financial compensation for the injury suffered. The compensation process can cover various damages, including medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Being aware of these rights can improve your healthcare experience. If you believe that your rights have been violated, it is important to seek legal advice. Legal professionals specialising in medical negligence can provide the necessary guidance and support to navigate the complex process of filing a claim and ensure that your rights are protected.
Steps to Filing a Medical Negligence Claim
Filing a medical negligence case can be daunting so having the support of a professional is important. Understanding each step involved can help you manage the process more effectively and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
1. Seek Legal Advice
The first and most crucial step is to consult with a solicitor. We can assess the merits of your case, provide expert advice, and guide you through the legal complexities involved. We can also inform you about the statute of limitations, which is typically two years from the date you became aware of the negligence .
2. Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence is a critical part of building your case. This includes obtaining your medical records, test results, treatment notes, and any letters/emails related to your care. Detailed documentation will help us and medical experts understand what went wrong and support your claim. It is also a good idea to keep a personal record of your symptoms, treatments, and any conversations with healthcare providers.
3. Obtain Expert Opinion
Medical negligence claims require expert testimony to establish that the care you received was below acceptable standards. We will arrange for independent medical experts to review your case. These experts will provide an opinion on whether negligence occurred and how it contributed to your injury. This step is important as it forms the foundation of your claim .
4. Submit a Complaint
Before starting legal proceedings, we often advise you file an official complaint with the healthcare provider or facility where the alleged negligence occurred. This can sometimes lead to an early resolution. The complaint should be detailed and precise, outlining the believed nature of the negligence and the impact it has had on you. We can assist in drafting this complaint to ensure it is comprehensive and effective.
5. Draft and Send a Letter of Claim
If the complaint does not resolve the issue, we will draft a Letter of Claim. This letter outlines the specifics of your claim, including the allegations of negligence, the injuries sustained, and the compensation sought. It invites the healthcare provider or their insurer to settle the claim. The response to this letter will determine the next steps, either leading to negotiations or moving forward with court proceedings .
6. Negotiation and Settlement
Many medical negligence claims are settled out of court. We will negotiate on your behalf to achieve a fair settlement. This phase may involve several rounds of offers and counteroffers. A successful negotiation may save time and reduce the stress of court proceedings.
7. Court Proceedings
If a settlement cannot be reached, we will then move to file court proceedings. This involves submitting legal documents to the court and formally initiating the legal process. We will prepare your case, gather further evidence, and represent you in court. Court proceedings can be long and complex, but they are sometimes necessary to achieve justice and appropriate compensation.
Key Aspects of Compensation
When considering a medical negligence claim, understanding the different components of compensation is important. Compensation, often referred to as "damages," aims to cover the various types of losses and injuries you may have due to negligent medical care. These components are designed to make you whole, addressing both the financial and non-financial impacts of the harm suffered.
1. General Damages
General damages cover the non-economic aspects of your injury, mainly focusing on the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity you may have experienced. This is a subjective assessment and considers the following factors:
• Pain and Suffering: This includes physical pain and mental anguish resulting from the injury. The severity and duration of your pain are taken into account.
• Loss of Amenity: This refers to the reduction in your quality of life and your ability to enjoy activities you previously engaged in. It includes the impact on your day-to-day life and overall well-being.
2. Special Damages
Special damages cover the financial losses you have incurred as a direct result of the medical negligence. These are quantifiable expenses and losses, including:
• Medical Expenses: Costs related to additional medical treatments, rehabilitation, and any ongoing healthcare needs. This includes expenses for consultations, surgeries, medications, and therapy.
• Loss of Earnings: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work. This includes <Bold>both past and future earnings if the injury has long-term or permanent effects on your employment capabilities.
• Travel Expenses: Costs incurred for traveling to medical appointments and treatments.
• Home Care and Assistance: Expenses for any in-home care or assistance you need as a result of your injury. This can include professional nursing care or modifications to your home to accommodate your needs.
3. Future Losses
Future losses address the long-term impact of the injury on your life and finances. These include:
• Future Medical Costs: Anticipated costs for ongoing or future medical treatments and care. This ensures that you are not burdened with future healthcare expenses resulting from the negligence.
• Loss of Future Earnings: If your ability to work is permanently affected, you can claim for the future loss of income. This considers your potential career trajectory and earning capacity before the injury.
• Pension Loss: Compensation for the reduction in your pension benefits due to the inability to continue working until retirement age.
4. Psychological Injuries
Compensation for psychological injuries recognises the mental and emotional impact of the negligence. This can include:
• Emotional Distress: Trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues arising from the incident.
• Loss of Consortium: The negative impact on personal relationships, particularly with a spouse or partner, due to the injury and its consequences.
5.Additional Things to Consider
Aggravated damages: in some instances, if the defendant’s conduct has been particularly bad or they have shown a complete disregard for your welfare, you might be awarded aggravated damages to reflect the extra damage that their actions have caused.
Exemplary (punitive) damages: these damages, although rare in medical negligence cases, are intended to punish the defendant and discourage similar behaviour from happening again.
Understanding your rights and the process of filing a medical negligence claim can be daunting, but with the right legal support, you can navigate the system effectively. Always consult a qualified solicitor to guide you through each step and ensure your rights are protected.
For personalised advice and further information, consider contacting the team here at MyCase.ie. We will ensure you receive the support and compensation you deserve for any harm suffered due to substandard medical care.
Comments