5 Examples of UK Medical Negligence Claims

When people suffer due to the negligence of a hospital medical expert, they can receive compensation if they file for a medical negligence claim. These claims seek to compensate the victim for the injuries they suffered due to the negligence or the relatives of a patient who died as a result of the same. There are several compensation claims that can be filed in a competent court of law. Below are some examples of cases that have been filed in the UK and the victims got compensated. Case 1: Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury

The victim, an eleven year old boy, received £575,000 as compensation for a brachial plexus injury he suffered on his right side during his birth in a UK hospital in February 1999. The claim was directed at the Hospital trust as the injury resulted from his birth being mismanaged leading to a compromised delivery. The compromise was brought about by shoulder dystocia which caused the damage on the boy’s right shoulder. The injury affected the boy’s functionality, especially in the kind of sport activities he took part in, his handwritten work and general posture causing him to be depressed. The court awarded the compensation amount after assessing reports from orthopedic experts that put the injuries as permanent. The hospital trust opted for an out of court settlement which was approved by the court as the victim was a minor.

Case 2: Fatal Accident owing to an untreated pressure sore

In this case, the compensation claim was filed by a member of the victim’s family on behalf of the victim as she had already succumbed to her injury. The victim, who was the mother of the applicant, developed a pressure sore whilst at a nursing home but the staff did not manage it well. The poor care she received while at the nursing home led her to develop septicaemia, a condition that contributed to the victim’s death. The coroner stated in his evidence that "…had it not been for the pressure sore, the victim would not have died of septicaemia…". The family received £ 17,500 in compensation for the negligent care accorded to their late mother.

Case 3: Hospital Fall

In this case an elderly man was able to receive £12,000 in compensation for a medical negligence claim for an injury that was avoidable. The elderly patient was admitted in the hospital where he fell from his hospital bed fracturing his right hip. His vomit bowl and call bell had been placed far away from his reach increasing his risk of falling out of his bed. The hospital trust was found negligent as it did not follow the right guidelines on the prevention of falls in hospitals.

Case 4: Wrong Diagnosis

This claim was against the NHS, the victim had suffered from a fall which injured her hip. She went to A&E and an x-ray was taken on her hip to determine the problem and she was told she had no fracture. On returning home, she suffered from a lot of pain and had to go back to hospital. Another x-ray was taken and it was confirmed she was suffering from a hip fracture. The first time it was missed caused the victim unnecessary pain and thus she filed the compensation claims and she was awarded £9,000 for her claim.

Case 5: Needle Blunder

The case was brought against a UK hospital trust by a new mother who after giving birth to her daughter required getting some stitches. After she was stitched up, the needle used to do the stitching was forgotten inside her. The Trust did not accept liability but were ready to meet the compensation amount brought by the victim’s advocates. She received £3,000 for her ordeal that lasted for a few days. All the above are some of the medical negligence claims brought against hospitals in the UK.

David Brason is a close source to Tylers Solicitors and likes to write about the latest news and updates within the personal injury sector.