What is delayed treatment?
Delayed treatment in clinical negligence refers to situations where a patient does not receive timely medical care, leading to negative consequences for their health. This can occur due to various reasons, such as misdiagnosis, long wait times for appointments or procedures, communication errors among healthcare providers, or negligence on the part of medical staff.
When a patient’s treatment is delayed, it can result in worsening of their condition, progression of diseases, increased pain and suffering, and even death in severe cases. Patients who experience delayed treatment may also face additional medical expenses, loss of income due to prolonged illness, and emotional distress. Healthcare providers have a duty of care to provide timely and appropriate treatment to their patients.
Can you claim for delayed treatment or a misdiagnosis?
It is important for patients to be aware of their rights and to seek legal advice if they believe they have been a victim of delayed treatment or misdiagnosis in clinical negligence. Patients may have legal recourse to seek compensation for the harm caused by the delayed treatment or misdiagnosis.
Here are some examples where you may be able to make a claim for negligent late treatment:
- Your doctor or GP failed to diagnose your symptoms
- You were not referred to a specialist
- A medical professional diagnosed your condition incorrectly
- You were not prescribed the right medication or at the correct time
- Administrative errors caused delays in your referral
- A failure to conduct follow-up assessments meant you did not receive appropriate care
- Long waiting times for surgery or treatment led to your condition deteriorating.
What conditions could you claim for?
These are some common conditions we see in clinical negligence:
- Cancer
- Strokes
- Heart conditions
- Infections such as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia
- Orthopaedic conditions
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Aneurysm’s
This is not an exhaustive list of conditions and a Solicitor who specialises in clinical negligence will consider all medical conditions.
How much compensation can I receive for delayed treatment?
Each claim is different and the amount of compensation you can claim for delayed treatment will depend on your own personal circumstances.
The following factors will be taken into consideration when deciding the delayed treatment compensation amount:
- The extent of any injury or illness caused by the negligent medical treatment
- Future needs, including treatment and rehabilitation
- Expenses incurred, including loss of income
The value of a claim can be quite difficult to determine, but our highly experienced Solicitors will provide you with an informed estimate based on the above information.
Comment
Delayed treatment or misdiagnosis can have severe consequences for your health. Mistakes of this type can result in important, potentially life-saving treatment being delayed or not being carried out at all. If this has happened to you or someone you know it is essential that legal assistance is sought to secure a compensation amount that can make an important difference as you continue with your life.
How can Nelsons help
Burhan Alam is a Paralegal in our Medical Negligence team, which has been ranked in tier one by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
At Nelsons, we have an experienced team of solicitors across our offices in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham who are always happy to discuss the circumstances of your claim and advise you on whether you are likely to be successful.
Please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form for more information.
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