Significant rise in GP negligence claims
Medical Negligence Solicitor, Samantha Robson comments on the latest clinical negligence claim stats from the Medical Defence Union
Patients suing their GP for compensation for medical negligence have increased by almost 20% over the last twelve months. Medical negligence claims have risen overall, with the most common reason for the marked rise in GP negligence claims being a late or incorrect diagnosis, along with prescription errors and a failure to refer patients for specialist treatment. The Medical Defence Union (MDU), which insures more than half of Britain’s doctors, acknowledged not only the rise in the number of negligence claims, but also the increase in the value of claims worth more than £1 million, which are up more than tenfold in the past 15 years.
The availability of no win no fee agreements for medical negligence claims enables patients to bring an action with little or no financial risk. The current economic recession may also be a contributory factor. Official figures show that the cost of litigation to the NHS is now £15 billion a year with over 6,500 medical negligence claims being issued in the last 12 months alone. Whilst acknowledging the statistics, the MDU says it sees no evidence of a drop in medical standards of care.
With the impending withdrawal of legal aid for medical negligence cases, the Government hopes that fewer patients will sue the NHS. Parliament is also considering a ‘no fault’ medical negligence compensation scheme. If this is introduced it will almost certainly reduce the levels of compensation being paid to clinical negligence claimants.
If you wish to bring a medical negligence claim you should ensure that you instruct a solicitor with the necessary expertise, who can offer a no win no fee agreement. Slee Blackwell is one of the largest legal firms in the South West and has offices throughout Devon. Samantha Robson (based at our Exeter office) is the head of our medical negligence team and will be pleased to provide you with a free initial assessment of your medical negligence case
