Medical Mishaps are never out of the news these days.

'Clinical negligence' is a highly specialised field.  The term clinical negligence (often referred to as medical negligence) is a term used to cover a wide variety of problems arising out of clinical care.  It is simply a legal term used to describe where a patient has been harmed due to a medical accident, where a healthcare professional did not give the correct standard of care.  It is not always the case the the medical professional is incompetent, but it could simply mean that they made a mistake.

'Clinical negligence' can include:

• making a mistake during surgery

• making the wrong diagnosis

• not giving you treatment you need

• giving you the wrong drug

• not getting your consent to treatment

• not warning you about the risks of a particular type of treatment

The purpose of a legal claim is to obtain compensation in an attempt to restore you to the position you would have been, if the mistake had not taken place.  Money is no  substitute for your health, but it assists in a loss of income to the household.  If there is a serious disability then it may provide the funding to enable the purchase of suitable equipment or a motor car for transport.

There are two parts to the compensation which can be awarded, these being General Damages and Special Damages.

General damages are for the pain and suffering both past and future.  This often includes the emotional effects and the loss of your ability to continue with your previous lifestyle in regard to work and hobbies etc.

Special damages are for pure financial loss including loss of earnings (past and future), prescription charges, clinical costs (private treatment), home nursing, travelling expenses etc.

If you think you may be a victim of clinical negligence, the it is a good idea to keep a record or a diary of the things that have happened, both during and after your treatment. This will greatly assist a solicitor when investigating your claim.

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