Mental health negligence claims

As well as needing to talk about our mental health, we also need to make sure that we talk about, and address, mental health negligence claims.

Mental health has never been more prevalent than it this day and age. It’s not the misunderstood and sometimes even taboo topic that it used to be. With World Mental Health Day passing last week, we wanted to briefly talk about the issues surrounding diagnosis and treatment, and how they tie in with claims for compensation.

In the same way that a lack of treatment or a lack of a diagnosis for a physical ailment can leave patients suffering more, and suffering worse, the same can be said about our mental health as well.

What are mental health negligence claims?

Like other medical or clinical negligence matters, mental health negligence claims are compensation cases for those who have been let down when it comes to treating mental health concerns.

Any condition, be it physical or mental, that isn’t treated in an adequate time frame can become worse. Patients can be left suffering for longer, and further complications can arise. That’s why a timely diagnosis and treatment referral is key.

When we’re talking about something as serious as mental health, timing can be everything. If patients are left without treatment for too long, we know what can happen.

Simply put, lives are at risk.

Any negligent delay or misdiagnosis that leads to more suffering is something that can form as part of a claim for compensation. Mental health treatment must be readily available, and the quality of care on offer must be high.

We can offer No Win, No Fee representation for these types of cases as well.

A growing problem

We may unfortunately see a rise in mental health negligence claims for compensation because of the reported decline in the services that are currently on offer.

Concerns have been raised that there’s reportedly a long-term neglect issue when it comes to funding for mental health services. The number of recorded safety incidents appears to have risen in recent years, so it’s clear that improvements are needed. There were also so-called “Never Events” taking place, which in terms of mental health care is incredibly worrying.

Last year, a CQC (Care Quality Commission) State of Care report is understood to have suggested that many of the UK’s mental health wards are in need of improvement. Poor quality care and unsuitable environments were cited, so it seems clear to me that government funding needs to be improved.

How we can help you

We do represent victims for mental health negligence claims, and we can offer No Win, No Fee representation.

We’re happy to have a free, no-obligation chat with anyone that feels that they may need our help.