Medical negligence is on the rise due to many reasons. There are some medical negligence claims in the UK that are more common than others and there are many reasons for this. Below are some of the most common within the UK, what they can entail, and why they are continuing to happen. If you believe you or a loved one are owed compensation for medical malpractice, read on to learn more.
 

Cosmetic Surgery Negligence

Unfortunately, cosmetic surgery negligence is one of the highest medical negligence claims for many reasons. Cosmetic surgery was once only thought of as something that the rich and famous can afford, but with cheaper cosmetic surgery comes greater negligence. Many customers will see a good deal and may not realise the standards that these “professionals” are working in. If they cannot produce certification that they are able to perform cosmetic surgery, do not allow them to carry anything out, no matter what the price. Although many cosmetic surgery clinics look professional, ensure you thoroughly research and check customer reviews online.
Cosmetic negligence does not just cover if something has gone wrong, it can cover things such as being promised a look that has not been given, anesthesia errors, or not informing a patient of all the risks involved. Make sure you are fully aware of everything that can happen before, during and after any cosmetic surgery, so you know if something has gone wrong. If you are going to a trusted professional, cosmetic surgery shouldn’t go wrong.
 

Care Home Negligence

This is another big negligence claim throughout the UK and is mainly due to poor staffing issues or poor living conditions. Care homes can be very busy places and often staff turnover is frequent, as many people can find the job very hard. Often, care homes can be desperate for staff and sometimes these staff do not follow the correct conduct and procedures whilst looking after the elderly.
Choosing to put a loved one in a home is an extremely hard and upsetting decision and they deserve the best standard of care. If they are not getting this, you may be due a medical negligence claim. Some of the ways a care home can be classed as negligent are giving a patient the wrong dosage of medication, or giving them another patients medication, failure to prevent bed sores and inadequate support during mealtimes leading to malnutrition or dehydration. Often, these can be hard to detect as the reason a loved one may be in a home is due to confusion or dementia and, therefore, they may not remember the events or may confuse them.
Take note of anything your loved one says and take notes of any bruising, weight loss or any other signs you may be suspicious of. Report to the care home manager if you are worried at any point about your loved one’s safety and the care they are receiving. If you believe you have sufficient evidence for a claim, you need to get in touch with the best medical negligence solicitors for your case. A good example of someone you can turn to is The Medical Negligence Experts who work on a no win no fee basis and can ensure you and your loved one get the compensation they deserve.
 

Hospital Negligence

Being in a hospital, you expect to treat your illness and get better. Unfortunately, for some patients, this is not always the case. Hospital negligence can cause a longer stay in the hospital and, in the worst instances, death. This can take a myriad of forms including poor hygiene standards causing MRSA or other infections, causing damage to a patient during surgery, and delayed referrals. Some other cases include being assessed and treated for the wrong illness, which can cause more damage to the body and a longer healing process.
All of these can mean longer stays in hospital, meaning you are missing out on work and home life, which can be an extremely stressful time. Doctors and nurses can make mistakes, especially when on long, busy shifts, but this also doesn’t mean as a patient we should pay the price. If you believe you have been treated unfairly or unjustly whilst staying in hospital, you may also be due a claim. Hospitals follow a certain code of conduct, which means patients should have their privacy and dignity maintained at all times, to be told what is happening at each stage, and to get the medicines you need at the correct time and intervals. You have the right to protest against anything you do not understand and if you have ever been left in the dark about your care, you could be due compensation.
 

Dental Negligence

Dental negligence claims are on the rise, and whether you receive care from the NHS or a private company, the care you receive shouldn’t be any different. Dental negligence covers anything that causes more pain or suffering, from instances such as the wrong tooth being taken out to causing nerve damage during any surgical dental procedure. Always go to a dentist you trust, often taking reviews from family or friends is the best bet to ensure you are going to a trusted professional. Look out for any big warning signs such as improper hygiene standards, including not using gloves or washing hands.
Dental misdiagnosis is one of the biggest reasons that irreversible damage is caused, although you should take good care of your own teeth including regular brushing and flossing. If a dentist has failed to inform of the risk of gum disease or offered any treatment, even with regular dental appointments, you may be able to claim. You may also claim for dental negligence if you have not been fully informed of the procedure and anything that may happen afterwards, including how to look after your teeth after the surgery. Always ensure you have been given any and all information and you understand everything about any procedure you may be having. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions you may have.
 

Pharmaceutical Negligence

Although every effort goes into ensuring the correct dosage and instructions are given to patients regarding their medications, errors can happen. Taking the wrong dosage can cause an increased level of infection or can cause another ailment. With blister packs being administered for many elderly people to make it easier for them to take their tablets, the risk of error increases.
A doctor may make a mistake whilst writing out a prescription or the pharmacist could make an error whilst filling out a prescription. This may take many forms such as prescribing or dispensing any medication that is known to counteract another medicine that the patient is taking and advising a patient to take the wrong dose, which is more commonly an error with children as their doses are often worked out based on weight. If you believe you have been misinformed, you may be due compensation, so consult medical negligence lawyers.

As the population of the U.K increasingly lives to be older, the need for medical help will continue to rise, meaning, unfortunately, so will mistakes. You should never suffer in silence if you believe you or a loved one have been misinformed, under-informed, or mistreated. Gather as much evidence of any errors you can and talk to a trusted medical negligence solicitor to begin getting the compensation you deserve.
 
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