A&E medical negligence claim - delay in treatment of ruptured achilles tendon
Mr S obtained £25,000 in compensation following the delay in diagnosis and treatment of a...
There are over 21 million attendances at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in the UK every year. Mistakes happen frequently due to understaffing, overwork or straight forward errors of judgement.
Whilst treatment provided in A&E departments is usually of an excellent standard, errors are made, and injuries sustained. When this happens it is possible for a patient to pursue a claim for compensation. At Boyes Turner we are experienced in dealing with claims from attendance at Accident and Emergency departments.
A&E medical negligence claim - delay in treatment of ruptured achilles tendon
Mr S obtained £25,000 in compensation following the delay in diagnosis and treatment of a...
Failure to diagnose snapped achilles tendon - £21,500 compensation recovered
Our client, Mr W, injured his Achilles tendon whilst playing football in June 2004. He...
£37,500 compensation claim settled - delayed diagnosis of footballer's injury
An accident and emergency negligence claim was brought on behalf of our client...
£205,000 compensation after A&E delayed diagnosis of haematoma
Subdural haematoma went undetected Beryl, aged 75, suffered a closed head injury and fractured...
I am overwhelmed by the outcome in terms of the monetary value and know I should consider it as a near a 'sorry' as I am likely to get from the hospital. It will be nice to start the process of closure on the whole issue now and look towards the future for us as a family.
Mrs T, Surrey
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Common A&E claims
Over the years we have dealt with a large range of cases involving negligent treatment in A&E departments. Typical cases include:
Specific examples of situations in which we have succeeded in medical negligence claims include:
There is always a lot written in the press about problems with emergency care in the UK, with frequent references to hospitals being at "crisis point". But why? This is a complex issue with no straightforward answer. Possible explanations for the problems faced by A&E departments include an ageing population with long term and complex health issues, staff shortages, too few beds for those who need to be admitted, and a lack of information about where else patients can turn for help. This is all placing a strain on A&E departments.
When examining the A&E negligence claims we have dealt with, certain errors appear time and time again. These include:
For those who are in urgent need of care, there are other alternatives which include:
These services are run with a mix of NHS and private provision. In considering the care provided by these services it is essential to understand who/which company or organisation is responsible for the care provided as well as assessing exactly what care should have been provided and how, had that care been given, the patient’s treatment and outcome would have been improved.
Accident & Emergency definitions
The medical language associated with Accident and Emergency negligence can be technical. We have identified some of the key terms in use every day in relation to A&E negligence.
An Accident and Emergency department is a medical treatment facility which provides acute care to patients. An appointment is not required. Patients can self-refer, although some are brought in by ambulance. Also known as an Emergency Department, Casualty or Emergency Room.
Acute describes an illness or disease with a rapid onset, or short course. This is in contrast to chronic conditions. The related medical specialty is 'acute medicine'.
Cauda Equina Syndrome is a neurological condition caused by compression of the nerves causing symptoms which can include bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, reduced sensation in the saddle area and sexual dysfunction.
Chronic describes a condition or disease that is persistent or long-lasting in its effects.
An examination is the process by which a medical professional investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease.
A fracture is a break to a bone.
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
A Minor Injuries Unit is a hospital department largely staffed by emergency nurse practitioners who treat minor injuries.
NHS 111 is a telephone advice service designed to make it easier for patients to access local NHS healthcare services, particularly out of hours. It can be used when medical help is needed but it is not a 999 emergency.
Out of hours, in the medical context, is usually defined as 18.30 - 08.00 on weekdays and all weekend and bank holidays.
The term patient history refers to information obtained by a medical professional, by asking the patient (or someone accompanying them) questions, with the aim of reaching a possible diagnosis.
Sepsis is a life threatening illness caused by the body over-reacting to an infection. Also known as blood poisoning.
A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone, for instance, the achilles tendon.
An Urgent Care Centre is a facility which provides medical care, generally situated outside of a hospital's Accident & Emergency department, and usually with no appointment being required. These centres primarily treat patients who require immediate care but their condition is not serious enough to require the Accident & Emergency department.
A Walk-in Centre is a facility usually managed by nurses, again with no need for an appointment.
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