If you have been harmed, either physically or mentally, because of the negligence of a health care professional, you may be able to claim medical negligence compensation.
The harm needs to be serious enough to make it worth paying the costs of making a claim. In most case it is not worth pursuing legal action if the injury is fairly minor or if a rapid recovery is expected.
In cases such as these the cost of making a claim could be greater than the damages. However, if there has been an admission of fault it may be worth pursuing a low value case. We can advise you on this.
Medical negligence compensation that can be claimed following successful legal action may include some or all of the following items:
- General Damages Claims
General Damages represents that part of the settlement for the pain and suffering of the personal injury, loss of physical ability in the long term or ongoing pain and discomfort for whatever period is appropriate. Interest can also be claimed on certain elements of this part of the claim. This figure is often difficult to calculate accurately or mathematically and includes an element of ‘opinion’ from the judge when he assesses damages based on previous awards together with representations made to him by the interested parties.
- Special Damages Claims
Special Damages represents the actual past loss and estimated future loss caused as a result of the personal injury. Interest can also be claimed on certain elements of this part of the claim. These items can usually be calculated with a high degree of accuracy often from available documentation or from projections based on known information. The sums awarded may include:
- Loss of income
- Care costs
- Help and assistance
- Medical expenses
- Loss of the enjoyment of life
- Prescriptions
- Reduced employment prospects
- Legal expenses
Claiming damages for clinical negligence is a specialist area of law which requires solicitors who have specific training and experience in medical negligence compensation claims. JMW Medical Negligence Solicitors have one of the most experienced and respected medical negligence compensation claims teams in the United Kingdom.
For an assessment of your potential claim, please click here to complete our online enquiry form and one of our specialists will contact you shortlyor please contact us on 0845 402 0001.
