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The United Kingdom is one of the best places in the world to receive medical attention – the World Health Organization ranks it 18th in its global table – despite this, clinical negligence does occur, sometimes even before patients begin treatment for their ailments.
How is this possible? Well, depending on the circumstances, if a medical professional misdiagnoses a condition, fails to send a patient for further tests, misinterprets test results, or provides a correct but late diagnosis, this can be classed as clinical negligence.
In most circumstances, any of the above scenarios will have a negative impact on an individual’s health. However, in some situations this type of medical negligence can be particularly catastrophic and may result in severe injury or even death. One example of where this might happen is where a patient is suffering from a cavernoma.
If you have experienced pain and loss as a result of negligent medical professionals, contact Healys today.
A cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, usually located in the brain or spinal cord. It changes in size as it bleeds and then reabsorbs blood. Sufferers could have more than one cavernoma. Cavernomas occur in around one percent of the population. A single bleed brings a risk of disability of about 40% and a risk of death of around 10%. The average age to be diagnosed with a cavernoma is 40.
Some people don’t develop any symptoms, but others might experience weakness, slurred speech, numbness, and double vision. Furthermore, cavernomas can cause an individual to suffer a stroke or seizure.
It is important that someone who has suffered the above symptoms has their case properly investigated and given a correct diagnosis. If they are not offered the right treatment they could experience serious brain injury, severe personal harm, or even death.
Patients may be able to keep symptoms under control with prescribed medication, or might need to undergo surgery to have the cavernoma removed.
Although individuals cannot claim compensation for a cavernoma – it is an inherited condition – they can claim for incorrect or delayed diagnosis.
The medical negligence solicitors at Healys could tell you whether you have a valid and viable case against the person or medical establishment responsible for misdiagnosing or failing to diagnose you with a serious medical condition, including cancer, diabetes or cavernoma.
4th December 2018
Jonathan Austen-Jones represented the Claimant (“ER”), a 53 years old man who was taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital on 4 March 2017 after suffering with abdominal pain over the previous two days. Continue reading »
RH sought help and advice from Jonathan Austen-Jones to investigate a potential claim for clinical negligence against the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust following back surgery carried out by one of its orthopaedic and spinal specialists.
Continue reading »
29th November 2018
Gazebos are used by all kinds of organisations when attending events up and down the country. It may not seem that an employer’s duty to assess and minimise workplace risks would extend to tasks such as carrying and assembling gazebos, but a recent case shows that it does. Continue reading »
28th November 2018
In order to succeed in a ‘secondary victim’ claim as a result of clinical negligence it is necessary to establish that the claimant suffered psychiatric illness or injury – as opposed to grief, sorrow, deprivation or the need to provide care for the loved one who has suffered the injury – as a result of witnessing a sudden, shocking event. Given the number of hurdles a claimant has to clear to show that the many tests have been met, there have been very few successful claims to date. Continue reading »
26th November 2018
Two recent cases illustrate that employers need to be vigilant in assessing tripping and slipping hazards in areas where workers perform their tasks. If they fail in this duty, those who are injured as a result may be able to claim compensation. Continue reading »
23rd November 2018
A radical proposal for cycling awareness has been unveiled by the government. The plans include a series of measures to improve safety for vulnerable road users, and to encourage and support cycling. The aim is to reduce the significant number of serious and fatal accidents suffered by cyclists. Continue reading »
24th July 2017
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced measures to tackle fraudulent sickness claims. Fraudulent claims of food poisoning by holidaymakers which are false or exaggerated claims, could result in British tourists paying higher package holiday prices. Continue reading »
27th February 2017
The last revision of the discount rate was undertaken on 25th June 2001, when it was set at 2.5%. From 20th March 2017, the rate drops from 2.5% to minus 0.75%. It is a change of 3.25 percentage points. Continue reading »
21st January 2016
Jonathan Austen-Jones acted on behalf of the applicant in this case who was the subject of sexual abuse at the hands of his step-father between the ages of about 5 and 7.
An initial application for compensation pursuant to the 1990 Scheme was made in 1992 and in June 1996 he was awarded £10,000.00 in respect of the abuse he had suffered. This award was clearly too low and it appears that no psychiatric evidence was before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). Continue reading »
Jonathan Austen-Jones acted on behalf of the claimant in her claim for damages for clinical negligence. The claim arose from the tragic loss of her baby’s life as a consequence of the failure of the Defendant Trust, appreciating that baby B had a Group B streptococcus infection at his birth on the night of the 1st January 2009, resulting in baby B’s death at 00.55 hours on the 3rd January 2009. Continue reading »
