A&E negligence claims arise when patients suffer further injury or harm due to delayed diagnosis or treatment in an Accident and Emergency department. A&E departments are high-pressure environments where medical professionals must make rapid decisions about patient care. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, and these mistakes can have devastating consequences for patients. Â
Understanding A&E Negligence
A&E negligence occurs when the standard of care falls below what a patient is reasonably entitled to expect. This can include a failure to diagnose a condition promptly, delays in providing necessary treatment, or administering incorrect treatment.
When a patient arrives at A&E, they have the right to expect that their condition will be assessed in a timely and competent manner. Any unreasonable delays in diagnosis or treatment can constitute negligence if they result in the patient’s condition worsening.
Common Causes of A&E Negligence
A&E departments are often overcrowded and understaffed, which can contribute to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Other common causes of A&E negligence include:
Inadequate examination:
A doctor or nurse may fail to carry out a thorough examination of the patient, leading to a missed or delayed diagnosis. Â
Misinterpretation of test results:
X-rays, blood tests, and other diagnostic tests may be misinterpreted, leading to incorrect treatment or a failure to diagnose a serious condition. Â
Failure to refer to a specialist:
In some cases, a patient’s condition may require the expertise of a specialist. A delay or failure to make a referral can have serious consequences. Â
Poor communication:
A lack of communication between medical staff, or between staff and the patient, can lead to errors in diagnosis and treatment. Â
The Impact of Delayed Diagnosis & Treatment
Delayed diagnosis and treatment can have a significant impact on a patient’s health and well-being. In some cases, it can lead to:
- Worsening of the original condition: A delay in treatment can allow the initial injury or illness to progress, potentially causing irreversible damage.
- Development of new complications: Delayed diagnosis can lead to the development of new medical problems, such as infections or blood clots.
- Increased pain and suffering: Patients may experience unnecessary pain and suffering due to delays in receiving appropriate treatment.
- Psychological trauma: The experience of A&E negligence can be traumatic for patients, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of earnings: If a patient’s condition worsens due to delayed diagnosis or treatment, they may be unable to work, resulting in a loss of income
Making a Medical Negligence Claim with National Claims
At National Claims, we understand the devastating impact that medical negligence can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you believe you or a family member has suffered harm due to substandard medical care, such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication errors, or delayed treatment, we are here to help you by connecting you with a solicitor from our panel who will be able to assess your case.
Free Consultation
We recognise that every medical negligence case is unique, and we’re here to offer you a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your specific situation. During this consultation, we’ll listen attentively to your experience, and assess the potential strength of your claim. Our team will then connect you with a qualified solicitor from our panel who specialises in medical negligence claims, ensuring that you receive the expert legal representation needed to pursue your case effectively.
*Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Contact us today to speak to one of our claims agents who will be able to help you get started on your claim.
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