Compensation for waiting for an ambulance

It’s possible to be able to make a claim for medical negligence compensation that arises from waiting for an ambulance where this has led to suffering and loss.

This is an important topic to cover, especially when we’re facing longer waits across the NHS in general. Although needing to wait for emergency transport in itself doesn’t mean you’re entitled to receive compensation, there are times when a case can be made. In such times, a case may be vital as some form of justice for the patient, especially when severe injury and losses have occurred.

We may be able to offer No Win, No Fee representation for cases of this nature. Patients must be allowed some form of justice for what they have to go through.

When can you claim for waiting for an ambulance?

You may be entitled to make a medical negligence claim for compensation for waiting for an ambulance where further suffering and / or complications arise.

If the wait has resulted in further problems and prolonged suffering, whether you have a valid case or not can then come down to the extent of what has happened. Waiting for a couple of extra hours due to high demand which can lead to pain for longer doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a case to make. A claim can come down to whether we can establish negligence, and whether the suffering is severe enough to warrant a case.

At this time of the year, we know that there’s a greater demand on the NHS in general, and this affects the ambulance service as well. Reportedly, there have been some cases of ambulances taking hours to arrive, which we know can be distressing and painful. But we must still be able to establish a  case of negligence.

How we establish negligence

When it comes to making a claim for personal injury compensation caused by waiting for an ambulance, we’ll usually need to obtain expert evidence from an independent consultant.

This kind of evidence is vitally important for us to be able to determine:

• Whether negligence has arisen; and
• The extent of any suffering caused.

If a finding is made that you should have been treated as a higher priority, but you weren’t, that can be classed as a case for negligence (as one example). In terms of the suffering, if your waiting and the delayed treatment then meant that you went on to suffer avoidable complications, your claim can be for the pain and suffering caused by such complications.

Making a claim for compensation

If waiting for an ambulance has caused you to suffer, claiming compensation can be important.

Your complications could mean that you need further surgery and treatment. This could mean weeks, months or even years of pain and problems. It could mean time off work which can then lead to difficulties paying the bills.

All this is something that a claim can resolve, and that’s why our work is so important.

For free, no obligation advice about whether we can offer you No Win, No Fee representation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert team.