The vast majority of medical treatments in the UK are administered without any problems. But in a minority of cases, things can go wrong – and, sometimes, this might amount to clinical negligence.
If you’re on the receiving end of a medical error, whether it’s negligent or not, then you might suffer a number of physical, mental, and financial consequences. Let’s look at how best to cope.
The Physical and Emotional Toll of Medical Mistakes
The severity of a medical error can vary significantly, and so too can the potential consequences. If your quality of life has been severely impacted by the error, then there might be a number of knock-on emotional and mental effects. If you’re bedridden for a significant period of time, or confined to a wheelchair, then you might feel depressed, anxious, angry, or even afraid.
In some cases, the emotional toll of a medical error doesn’t just fall on the patient. Families and caregivers can also be affected by the pain that follows a medical error.
Financial and Practical Challenges
The costs of a medical error aren’t just mental and emotional. They can also be financial. You might be unable to work as a result of the error, or face additional expenses. Taking time off to undergo things like physiotherapy, and paying for hospital car parking, can be onerous if you’re forced to do these things regularly over a period of months and years. Recently, a study has put the total cost of medication errors in England at around £98 million per year.
Fortunately, there are legal mechanisms in place that might help patients reclaim some of what was lost.
Legal Rights and Compensation Options
There are a number of legal avenues available to those affected by medical negligence. Through these, both individual practitioners and organisations like the NHS can be targeted. Getting a solicitor with particular experience in medical negligence on your side will give you the best possible chance of navigating the process successfully.
Support Services and Resources
There are also a number of charities and other organisations, like Action against Medical Accidents, that will offer free advice to would-be claimants. Support services that offer counselling and peer networks can also be helpful to those who aren’t seeking compensation.
It’s important to be aware of your rights before entering a medical setting. These rights are often changing. For example, in 2024, the introduction of Martha’s Rule empowered patients to flag up a case for urgent attention.
