The Medical Negligence Blog

Cauda Equina Syndrome compensation claims advice

Cauda Equina Syndrome is a neurological condition that is usually classed as a surgical emergency. It is rare; but is a very serious condition that is caused by pressure on the nerves in the lumbar spine and / or a narrowing of the spinal canal.

Treatment is required very quickly to relieve or stop the pressure on the nerves. If treatment is not sought quickly enough, this can lead to the patient suffering paralysis, neurological problems, loss of bladder and bowel control, and (sometimes lifelong) physical impairment.
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Multiple medical errors at the Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust

Both Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary have come under fire recently due to multiple failings found within the Trusts.

One such incident was a clear and serious error when staff at Calderdale Hospital undertook an intimate examination of the wrong patient between July and September 2016.

We all know the NHS has a tough job in tough conditions, but there are some things that are clearly preventable.
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Sepsis compensation claims advice

Sepsis – also known as blood poisoning – is a potentially life threatening condition that can be triggered by an infection where the body works overtime in order to fight it. By working overtime, the body can reduce the amount of blood flow that it sends to the vital organs, which can eventually cause them to shut down.

This can lead to multiple organ failure, or even death.

For those reasons, sepsis needs to be caught early to prevent it developing to the point where the body begins to shut down organs or ultimately kill someone. In cases where medical staff have failed to do this, patients may be able to claim compensation for medical negligence.
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GPs and hospitals are unnecessarily prescribing antibiotics

A recent survey shows that antibiotics and narcotics are often over-prescribed, with some experts worldwide suggesting that they’re frequently prescribed when they’re not necessary, and may actually do more harm than good.

The survey revealed that patients use antibiotics or narcotics despite guidelines showing little effectiveness of taking them. There is rising concern in the U.K. that the NHS are providing patients with services and products that aren’t needed, which is concerning from both a health and a cost perspective.
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“NHS failings caused avoidable deaths” – An internal report showed many mothers and babies tragically died due to ‘clinical errors, poor staff attitudes and chronic shortages’

According to a recent NHS report, numerous mothers and babies tragically died at NHS hospitals in Manchester and Oldham.

The medical review was carried out in June by the maternity director, Deborah Carter, at the Pennine Acute Hospital Trusts, which operates North Manchester General and Royal Oldham hospitals. The report highlighted that mothers and babies were dying due to ‘clinical errors, poor staff attitudes and chronic shortages’. Ms Carter highlighted that negligence caused a ‘string of avoidable deaths and long-term injuries caused by failures over many years’.
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Gynaecology compensation claims

As gynaecology is the care of the female reproductive organs, it’s understandably a very sensitive subject.

Its scope can include investigating fertility problems, different types of contraception, any medical disorders (such a polycystic ovaries), issues relating to the menopause, pregnancy problems (such as miscarriage,) and illnesses like ovarian cancer.

It’s therefore a very important thing for medical professionals to get right, as getting it wrong can lead to serious and often life changing problems.
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Meningitis compensation claims

Meningitis is a deadly disease where the protective membrane that surrounds the brain and the spinal cord becomes infected. It can come in two forms: viral and bacterial.

Viral meningitis can be less serious and generally gets better by itself, and can be treated at home. If it is bacterial, however, it can be very serious indeed.

If it’s not treated quickly it can lead to partial or full loss of hearing or vision, possible amputation of limbs that have been affected, epilepsy, and co-ordination and balance problems.
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Failed Vasectomy and Sterilisation compensation claims

Sterilisation is a procedure that is designed to stop a woman being able to get pregnant. This is typically done by cutting, blocking, or sealing fallopian tubes so that eggs cannot reach the uterus where they would be able to develop.

It’s said to be more than 99% effective in preventing women from getting pregnant, and can be a permanent method of contraception.

For males, a vasectomy is the male version of sterilisation, where a man undergoes an operation where the tubes that carry the sperm from the testicles to the penis are blocked, cut, or sealed. Vasectomy’s are more than 99% effective and can also be a permanent method of contraception.

So, what happens if things go wrong?
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Advice on anaesthesia awareness and claiming compensation

Anaesthesia awareness is a horrendous thing to even think about; let alone to have to go through…

When a patient goes under general anaesthesia they are given pain relief medication and / or medication to cause unconsciousness. If this fails to work correctly then the patient could wake up and become aware of what is going on during the surgery – which is commonly known as anaesthesia awareness.

There are also cases where the pain relief is not adequate as well, so the patient is not only awake during the surgery, but also feels the pain. Patients also require medication that will prevent movement when general anaesthesia is administered.
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Surgical error claims for compensation

Many operations performed are successful and go without any complications. However, in some cases, mistakes are made, and a patient may have to deal with the adverse consequences.

Having surgery can already be very stressful, so to discover afterwards that something went wrong can be even more distressing; especially if this is going to affect the person’s life.

Surgical errors can happen for a number of reasons, and where they have taken place due to negligence, you may be able to claim for compensation.
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Medical negligence compensation claims for prescription errors

GP’s and pharmacists can easily make mistakes when it comes to prescribing medication. As scary as that may sound, it’s true! We have represented people for prescription errors for years.

There can be a number of reasons why mistakes happen when prescribing medication. Although some people may have a minor prescription error and not have severe side effects, there are those who do suffer serious complications.

If a person has been prescribed the incorrect medication, and has suffered adverse side effects, then they may be entitled to compensation if it was due to medical negligence.
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Inadequate safety at Hull mental health services

Mental health services in Hull and East Riding have been deemed as inadequate, investigations have revealed.

England’s health regulator has disclosed that patients have been waiting too long for help; senior managers are chaotic and nurses are pushed to the limit because of severe staff shortages.

The Care Quality Commission rated the Trust as inadequate at providing safe services.
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