The BBC has recently reported that a Trust audit of West Midlands Ambulance Service stated that ‘more than half of all serious incidents where patients came to harm were due to clinical errors’.
They have also ‘identified a number of incidents that were not investigated’. The service has since taken steps to investigate these matters.
Further, it has been reported that a decision was previously made to remove the community ambulance station without taking a full risk assessment before the event.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has confirmed that they are going to be looking into the serious incidents and carry out an inspection of the service in due course to ensure that it is providing a satisfactory service to patients using it.
As a result of these incidents, more and more patients are suffering harm as a result of negligence on behalf of the ambulance service. As such, patients are being left in a worse position, potentially causing life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
If you consider that you have suffered harm as a result of negligence within a healthcare setting, you may be entitled to bring a clinical negligence claim.
Who can bring about a claim?
The patient who has been affected may be able to bring about a claim. However, it can also sadly be the case that the patient has passed as a result of the delay. In such instances, the executor of the estate or the next of kin/dependents may be able to bring about a claim.
Our specialist team will be able to discuss whether you have a right to bring about a claim, so if you or a loved one has been affected do not hesitate to contact us.
How much would my claim be worth?
It is often difficult to value clinical negligence claims at their outset given the complexities involved however we will pursue two forms of compensation for you:
- General damages – An award of money for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the negligence.
- Special damages – An award for all of your out of pocket expenses such as travel expenses, medication costs, loss of earnings, treatment costs both past and future. This list is not exhaustive and is very case-specific.
Why choose Oakwood Solicitors?
We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly trained to deal with all aspects of clinical and medical negligence.
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd wishes to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon or medical terms that they don’t understand and aims to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.
Further reading
Accident and emergency claims – Oakwood Solicitors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have been affected by lack of treatment, late diagnosis or lack of care within the NHS, or require any advice about legal proceedings, call us on 0113 200 9720 for a free initial consultation.
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