What Is Death By Negligence Or Wrongful Death?
Losing a loved one is never easy and the last thing most people think about is claiming compensation. However, if you have lost a loved one due to medical negligence, then you may be able to make a claim against the hospital or medical professional who was responsible. This could give you money to help fulfil any wishes they might of had or it could help to ensure their spouse, partner or children are looked after financially. We understand that money will never replace a lost loved one, however compensation can be a form of justice on their behalf and a way to ensure this kind of mistake is recognised and action taken to prevent it happening again. Death by medical negligence is typically listed as a wrongful deaths and they happen when medical professionals fail in their care towards individuals or when poor levels of care result in the death of a patient.
Who can bring a clinical negligence claim resulting in death?
Only certain people have legal standing to bring a claim when a person dies. There are 2 types of claims that can be pursued, a claim on behalf of the Estate of the person who has died and a claim on behalf of a person who was financially dependent on them such as a spouse, a partner or a minor child. It is also possible for the parent of a minor child who has died to bring a claim even if there is no financial dependency on them.
When Can Compensation Be Claimed For Medical Negligence Resulting in Death?
Some examples of claims arising out of the death of a patient due to medical negligence are:
- Incorrect dosage or wrong medication
- Patient claims of illness being dismissed or ignored.
- Failure to diagnose the condition a patient is suffering from.
- Delays in diagnosis that lead to the patient's condition worsening or becoming terminal.
- Failure to act on test results.
- A&E not identifying a serious conditions and discharging the patient without referral
- Lack of support and supervision for mental health patients resulting in death or suicide.
- GPs failing to refer patients to the correct department or specialist for medical assistance.
- Surgical negligence causing complications resulting in death.
- Failure to identify and treat infection or sepsis.
- Failure to identify and treat a pulmonary embolism.
Getting Help and Support
We fully understand that this can be a traumatic, stressful and painful situation for people to go through and we are here to help. We appreciate how hard it will be to discuss these events and to deal with the aftermath and our solicitors will be there to support you at every stage. You will have one solicitor for your case who you can approach for advice and assistance and throughout the case their in depth knowledge of your claim will help to make the process as easy as possible for you. Our aim is to help you find out exactly what has happened and to obtain the compensation due to you or your family. We can also help you get justice after the loss of a loved one and in doing so the compensation that may. give their family financial security in what has become an uncertain future.