Accident and emergency claims
- Although the majority of care and treatment in A&E is of excellent quality, occasionally it is not.
- Enormous pressure on the NHS means that on the rare occasions treatment is below the required standard and health complications can arise.
- If you think you may received sub-standard care, it is important to contact a solicitor as soon as possible.
One of the most essential components of the healthcare system is the ability to gain access to effective medical care in emergency situations. As such, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments of hospitals around the country are in place to help patients who experience serious injuries or illnesses, some of which may be life-threatening.
A&E departments are busy with over 22.9 million attendances every year. Around 11 per cent of individuals who attend A&E are discharged without requiring treatment and a further 38 per cent only receive guidance or advice.
Pressure on the NHS
Worsening A&E performance has been linked to high bed-occupancy rates. In addition, A&E departments are known to face difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff. Clinicians are under huge pressure to meet waiting time targets and move patients in and out as quickly as possible. It is therefore unsurprising that A&E departments represent the most error-prone part of the NHS.
Whilst many people receive high-quality medical care in A&E departments, some are not as fortunate. All too frequently people attending A&E experience complications as a result of misdiagnosis, delayed treatment and a failure to refer for appropriate tests.
In addition to the common claim types that arise, there can also be a complete failure to treat. Some patients are simply sent home before even being seen by an A&E doctor at the time of triage, or far too early given their symptoms and underlying medical issues.
Claiming compensation
- Misdiagnosed bone fractures
- Incorrect medication prescribed
- Incorrect treatment given
- Delayed treatment
- Hospital infections
- Inadequate patient examination
- Inadequate medical investigation
- Misinterpreting examination findings or test results
If you believe that you have sustained an injury as a result of medical negligence and may have a compensation claim you or your family should contact a solicitor as soon as possible. The sooner we can begin work investigating your claim the sooner we can begin to help you.
Whilst dealing with your claim we can advise you on your benefit rights and on dealing with any debts which may have arisen due to you being off work.
If you believe that you or someone you know has suffered as a result of medical negligence please contact Anne Cassidy.
We have offices in London, Southampton, Richmond, Lymington and Woking. We deal with clients throughout the country and we will visit you at your home, hospital or rehabilitation unit.
Explore our recent cases
More A&E negligence case studies from Moore Barlow
- Substantial six figure sum for a delay in diagnosis of a young lady’s cauda equina syndrome
- Six figure compensation relating to a delay in diagnosis of appendicitis
- Woman succeeds in claim for unexpected death of her husband from sepsis
- Former vet receives over £3,000,000 for delayed diagnosis of Cauda Equina syndrome
- £140,000 compensation following inappropriately managed fracture
- £130,000 settlement for a client who suffered injury as a result of delayed management of cauda equina syndrome
