Bladder Injury Compensation Claims

Sustaining a traumatic bladder injury as a result of medical negligence can be a deeply distressing and life-altering experience. The physical pain and emotional distress can have a significant impact on your quality of life, work and relationships, while some injuries can affect your natural bladder function over the long term and lead to serious side effects.

If the care you received from a medical professional, such as a doctor, surgeon or nurse, fell below an acceptable standard and caused you to sustain a bladder injury, you may be entitled to make a bladder injury compensation claim. Bladder compensation claims can support your recovery, cover lost earnings and any care and assistance you need, or pay for any medical devices or aids you need if you are left with permanent symptoms.

At JMW, our experienced medical negligence solicitors understand the sensitive nature of these injury claims. Our team provides compassionate, expert legal advice to help you secure the injury compensation you deserve. We are here to support you through every step of the process, handle your case with the care and dedication it requires, and allow you to focus on recovery.

To learn more about how we can help or what to expect from a medical negligence claim, contact JMW today. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or use our online enquiry form to request a call back at your convenience.

How JMW Can Help

JMW has a dedicated team of specialist medical negligence solicitors who are experts in handling sensitive and complex bladder injury claims. Led by renowned clinical negligence experts Eddie Jones and Angharad Hughes, our team includes members of the Law Society's specialist panel for clinical negligence solicitors and the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) solicitors panel who have been recognised for their proven experience.

Our experts understand the physical and emotional challenges you are facing and are committed to providing a supportive and understanding service. We know that bladder damage can lead to difficult symptoms, ranging from an overactive bladder to impaired control, with the most serious injuries potentially leading to double incontinence alongside the pain and suffering of an injury. We work to account for all of the effects of a bladder injury on your life, to secure the maximum compensation based on your needs.

We will handle your bladder injury compensation claim with the utmost sensitivity, professionalism and empathy. Whatever the impact of your injury, compensation can help you to move forward, and JMW's team will ensure you receive the support you need.

Meet Our Team

JMW's bladder injury solicitors have many years of combined experience in medical negligence claims of this type and a strong track record of success. We can help you to claim compensation to support your recovery from a serious bladder injury and represent your interests at all stages of the claims process.

How Can Clinical Negligence Lead to a Bladder Injury Claim?

Clinical and medical negligence are terms for situations when a healthcare provider delivers substandard care that directly causes an avoidable injury or worsens an existing problem. To make a successful compensation claim for your bladder injury, we must show that the care you received was below the standard expected of a competent medical professional, and that this directly caused your injury and its consequences.

Examples of medical negligence that can lead to a bladder injury include:

• Surgical errors: damage can occur during abdominal or pelvic surgery, such as a caesarean section, hysterectomy, or keyhole surgery, if the bladder is accidentally cut, torn or perforated. The bladder’s proximity to other organs in the abdominal area makes it vulnerable during many procedures. A ruptured bladder or perforation can occur if a surgeon fails to take appropriate care.
• Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis: conditions like cauda equina syndrome require urgent diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent nerve damage affecting bladder function. A failure by a doctor to promptly diagnose and treat such a condition, or a serious bladder problem like urinary retention or an infection, can lead to permanent damage and represent negligence.
• Improper catheter insertion: incorrect insertion or management of a urinary catheter can cause traumatic injury to the bladder and urinary tract.
• Untreated urinary retention: when the bladder cannot empty properly, it can become stretched, leading to long-term damage if not treated as an emergency.
• Prolapsed bladder complications: a failure to correctly diagnose or treat a prolapsed bladder can lead to worsening symptoms and the need for further, more invasive treatment.
• Negligent post-operative care: a failure to monitor a patient’s bladder function after surgery can lead to serious complications.
• Childbirth injuries: negligent care during labour and delivery can sometimes lead to a prolapsed bladder or other traumatic injury.

If you have sustained a bladder injury in these or similar circumstances, you may be able to claim compensation. When you contact JMW, our team will thoroughly investigate your case and the treatment you received. By gathering evidence from your medical records and independent medical experts, we will establish what happened, whether the treatment you received fell below the necessary standards, and whether you are able to claim.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Bladder Injury?

A bladder injury can have a profound impact on your daily life and lead to severe pain, issues with bladder control, and psychological distress. The amount of injury compensation awarded in a bladder injury claim is designed to account for all of these effects. Because each case is unique, the amount of compensation you will receive varies significantly.

Compensation is split into two parts:

• General damages cover the pain and suffering caused by the injured bladder and its impact on your quality of life. The amount awarded depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, the level of pain experienced, and the long-term prognosis for recovery. It is based on the Judicial College Guidelines' compensation brackets for different types of injuries.
• Special damages cover any financial losses and expenses incurred as a direct result of the medical negligence. This is designed to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the injury not occurred. This can include:
• Lost earnings and future loss of income if you are unable to work.
• The cost of private medical treatment, therapy and rehabilitation.
• Prescription costs and other medical expenses.
• Travel expenses for medical appointments.
• The cost of care and assistance, even if provided by family members.
• Modifications to your home or vehicle.

To prove financial loss, it is helpful to keep records such as receipts, invoices and bank statements. Our solicitors can provide expert guidance on calculating these losses for your claim, and estimate how much the claim may be worth if you are entitled to compensation.

The final compensation payment is a combination of all of the above elements and is calculated based on the severity of the bladder injury, its long-term effects on your life, and any financial loss you have experienced. The team at JMW will work to resolve your claim as soon as possible without compromising on the amount of compensation to be claimed.

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Bladder Injury Compensation Claim?

In most cases, you can make a bladder injury compensation claim on a no win, no fee agreement, known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Whilst your solicitor will of course discuss this with you and advise on the best options available, the important thing to remember is that if the case is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay any legal fees, so there is no financial risk to you.

Is There a Time Limit to Claim Compensation for Bladder Problems Caused by Negligence?

In most cases, you will have three years from the date that you experienced medical negligence to start a bladder injury claim. However, this time limit may not begin from the date that the negligence occurred, but from the date that you realised your injury was caused by negligence. For example, if you notice discomfort or problems with your urinary system and are diagnosed with a bladder injury, the time limit may begin from this date.

There are other limited exceptions. For children, no time limit applies until they turn 18. A parent or guardian can claim on behalf of the child at any time, or they can begin a claim for themselves after they turn 18 but before they turn 21. If the person who has sustained a bladder injury lacks the mental capacity to make a claim on their own behalf, no time limit will apply unless their capacity returns.

You can learn more in our guide to medical negligence time limits.

What Is the Bladder Damage Claims Process?

The claims process begins when you contact JMW. We will gather evidence relating to your injury, the circumstances in which it arose, and the impact it has had on your life. If we believe you are entitled to claim, we will send a letter of claim to the party we suspect was responsible - which could be a GP surgery, hospital, private healthcare facility or insurance provider. They will have a few months in which to investigate and decide whether they accept liability for your injuries or not.

In most cases, we will begin to negotiate over how much compensation you are owed. In cases where the matter needs to go to court, we will represent and support you in proceedings to secure the compensation you are owed.

Our guide to the medical negligence claims process offers more detail on how a claim unfolds and what you can expect from the experience/