What is orthopaedics?
Orthopaedics is a branch of medicine covering the musculoskeletal system relating to the bones and muscles. It covers injuries affecting bones and joints as well as damage to muscles, cartilage, tendons or ligaments.
Common types of orthopaedic injuries include:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Tendon injuries
- Joint (such as hip, knee, ankle and shoulder) replacements
- Nerve injuries
- Amputations
Negligence claims for orthopaedic treatment
In the majority of cases, orthopaedic treatment and surgery result in no complications.
However, mistakes can happen when it comes to orthopaedic injuries. This could be prior to diagnosis, relating to the treatment given, or during surgery. This may result in a potential claim for negligent orthopaedic care or treatment.
The most common examples of where a patient may be able to make a claim relating to orthopaedic care includes:
- Delay in diagnosis of an orthopaedic injury
- Misdiagnosis of an orthopaedic injury
- Incorrect or delayed treatment of an orthopaedic injury
- Substandard surgery to treat an orthopaedic injury
- Substandard post-operative orthopaedic care
- Nerve damage resulting from orthopaedic care
Substandard orthopaedic care can result in significant complications and can result in the need for further treatment. In extreme cases, complications can substantially impact a patient’s quality of life.
It is important for patients to seek legal advice if they suspect that their treatment has fallen below a reasonable standard resulting in complications.
How can Nelsons help?
Marcus Williams is a Paralegal in our Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500.
If you are concerned that you have received substandard orthopaedic care, it is important to seek specialist legal advice from solicitors who are experienced in dealing with these types of claims to ascertain whether a claim in clinical negligence can be brought. If successful, you can recover compensation for the injuries sustained, financial losses incurred as a result of the negligence and cover the cost of any further treatment required.
For advice, please get in touch with Marcus or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
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