AvMA's Challange To Proposals Backed By Experts

New plans to launch a judicial review of the government’s proposals to scrap Legal Aid funding for victims who have been seriously injured as a result of medical negligence have been welcomed by experts at Irwin Mitchell.

The charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) have launched the challenge in an effort to encourage MPs to rethink plans which would see people left with long-term difficulties as a result of errors in care and treatment left without access to the funding.

According to the organisation, the move would be ‘irrational’ and also prevent many people from being able to access justice over the problems they have endured.

David Body, Head of Irwin Mitchell’s Medical Negligence team, has welcomed the organisation’s renewed efforts to prevent the progress of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill through Parliament.

He outlined: “Over the past few months we have seen a number of organisations raise concerns over the decision to remove Legal Aid funding from medical negligence cases, including the NHSLA and the Judges Council.

“In addition, Lord Justice Jackson’s opposition to Legal Aid cuts has been ignored by the Government, though they have accepted all of the other recommendations in his independent report.

“Our work has shown that clinical negligence often leads victims to suffer devastating, life-changing injuries which mean they need long-term rehabilitation and care.

“However, the removal of Legal Aid means that many people who need funding for such care as a result of someone’s negligence may be denied the access to the justice that they deserve. In addition, there are also major concerns that the change would lead to greater costs to the NHS.

“We welcome AvMA’s efforts to raise greater awareness of the issue and will also ourselves continue to campaign against these incredibly worrying proposals.”