Our expert medical negligence lawyers will handle your claim at no cost to you* and in the vast majority of cases you will receive 100% of your compensation**.
Expertise And Understanding From Irwin Mitchell
Most of the time, the UK’s A&E departments provide an invaluable, life-saving service. A&E doctors are constantly challenged to make a quick diagnosis under pressure. However, this shouldn’t affect your right to expect high standards of care in hospitals. If you’ve suffered an injury or illness as a result of a medical accident, a misdiagnosis or poor management and care in A&E, you may be able to recover compensation.
At Irwin Mitchell we are renowned for our understanding of the issues affecting you and your family due to A&E related problems, and we know what positive action to take to make a difference.
Our lawyers offer the highest level of professionalism and expertise, combined with dedication and sensitivity.
Above all, we put you first.
Handling Accident And Emergency Negligence Mistakes With Expertise And Sensitivity
Irwin Mitchell is the UK’s leading legal practice for medical negligence cases. We regularly see just how deeply mistakes made in A&E departments can affect people’s lives.
That’s why our specialist solicitors will take a real interest in finding out exactly what happened to you and why in order to best support your accident and emergency negligence claim.
If they can prove your suffering has been caused by medical negligence or a breach of your human rights, they’ll work to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Proven Expertise In Cases Involving Accident And Emergency Mistakes
Irwin Mitchell is one of the largest and most experienced law firms in the country and our team includes many of the country’s finest specialist lawyers. They work in highly focused teams, offering the best legal expertise when recovering compensation in cases involving A&E mistakes.
Case study 1
Paul went to A&E with nausea and vomiting. After an examination and an x-ray, he was diagnosed with renal impairment and discharged.
The following day, his GP referred him back to the same hospital for another x-ray. This time, it showed an obstruction in Paul’s bowel. He was admitted and monitored for a few days, then discharged.
Days later, he collapsed and, after being re-admitted, his bowel was found to be perforated. Paul then had surgery, after which he developed MRSA.
He was awarded a six-figure sum in settlement for his accident and emergency negligence claim against the local NHS Trust.
Case study 2
Lara’s baby Wendy was sixteen days old when she began showing signs of discomfort and constipation. Her GP advised Lara to take Wendy straight to hospital if her symptoms got any worse.
When Wendy’s condition deteriorated, hospital A&E staff put her breathing difficulties down to constipation and discharged her. No one checked her heart rate, blood pressure or tested he neurological functions.
Since her symptoms persisted, Lara sought a second opinion at another hospital. After an examination, Wendy was diagnosed with meningitis. She died shortly after.
We helped Lara to make an accident and emergency negligence claim against the local NHS Trust and she received over £30,000 in damages.
Irwin Mitchell’s Commitment To Accident And Emergency Casework
Irwin Mitchell’s first commitment is to you, and to assisting you to recover appropriate accident and emergency negligence compensation.
We also have a long history of campaigning with leading organisations in numerous medical and clinical negligence fields. Together with those organisations we seek improvements in health and safety, prevent accident and injury where possible, and improve the quality of life and levels of compensation for those who have suffered injury.
We have also pursued many leading legal cases in order to improve the prospects of success of compensation recovery for various forms of medical and clinical negligence, and to ensure that fairer compensation is awarded.
Making a complaint about your treatment
Various schemes exist to deal with complaints about GPs and hospitals. In some cases, they award small amounts of compensation or make an official apology.
Taking the matter a step further
If you’re not happy with the response, the next step is to request an independent inquiry. The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service may be able to help you with this. If your complaint is more general, then it should be referred to the Health Service Ombudsman.
Involving the General Medical Council
If your complaint is more serious - if there is evidence that the doctor treating you was not qualified, for example - the General Medical Council (GMC) may investigate your case. They discipline doctors and identify those who may not be competent enough to practice medicine. Although the GMC cannot award compensation, many patients feel it is necessary to involve them to prevent the accident being repeated.
The above information relates to the law and procedures in England and Wales.
* Subject to entering a ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreement with us and complying with its terms.
** Does not apply to group actions, criminal injuries or accidents and illnesses outside England and Wales and is subject to compliance with the terms of your funding arrangements.
All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.