Views

  • So farewell then Legal Aid June 1, 2021 Posted in: News, Views - When we started this Firm in 1992, over 95% of the claims we handled had the benefit of Legal Aid.  The remaining 5% were private paying clients.  Back then there weren’t any ‘no win no fee’ agreements (CFA’s) – they didn’t come in until 1998. Slowly and over time, successive Governments have reduced the eligibility… Continue Reading
  • Public support for Clinical Negligence Claims during Covid-19 January 4, 2021 Posted in: News, Views - At the beginning of the outbreak of Covid-19 there were calls by some medical defence organisations for doctors not to face liability for negligence occurring during the pandemic.  This approach has been adopted by some States in the USA however it has not garnered much endorsement and in response to this, the Association of Personal… Continue Reading
  • NHS Resolution Annual Report – costs of clinical negligence claims down for 2019/20 October 2, 2020 Posted in: News, Views - NHS Resolution, the body responsible for managing claims on behalf of hospital Trusts and now GP practices, released their Annual Report in July for the period 2019/20.  The figures have not been widely reported so despite what we are often told by the press, you may be interested to learn that the total cost of… Continue Reading
  • Success Rates when you sue the NHS – 2020 update October 2, 2020 Posted in: News, Views - The latest NHS Annual Report provides some interesting facts that don’t always make it into the mainstream media.  For example: The number of claims made in 2020 was just over 11,000 and virtually identical to the previous year and down from a high of 12,000 in 2013. About 60% of claims made result in the… Continue Reading
  • Second Opinions – how to get them June 1, 2020 Posted in: News, Views - A lot of what Doctors and lawyers tell you is their opinion and not necessarily factual.  As professionals we need to exercise our judgment based on our experience.  Often what we say is not what you want to hear, but it is our job to tell it as we see it. So, for example your… Continue Reading
  • Hospital tells unsuspecting parents we may have caused brain damage to your baby during birth! May 7, 2020 Posted in: News, Views - Since 1 April 2017 all NHS Trusts have been required to report to NHS Resolution, the body which has responsibility for managing clinical negligence claims against Trusts, of any incidents of babies born at term (from 37 weeks) with a potentially severe brain injury diagnosed in the first 7 days of life following labour.  These… Continue Reading
  • Delay in diagnosis of Lung Cancer – Judge in High Court Trial found in Claimant’s favour April 2, 2020 Posted in: Case studies, News, Views - Whilst many clinical negligence claims are defended, very few go all the way to trial for a Judge to determine the outcome.   This is because a claim has to go through many stages before trial, all of which are aimed at narrowing the issues between the parties and encouraging settlement. In February, one of our… Continue Reading
  • Claims data from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust February 4, 2020 Posted in: News, Views - Our latest FOI request reveals some interesting information: The Trust received 173 requests for medical records from solicitors in the year ending 5 April 2019. This is up 60% on the previous year. They received 83 formal letters of claim, up 36% on the previous year. I suspect that the increase is probably down to… Continue Reading
  • Patients owed a duty of care by non-medical Emergency Department staff December 3, 2019 Posted in: News, Views - The Supreme Court in Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust has unanimously decided that patients attending an Emergency Department are owed a duty of care not just by medical staff but also administrative staff such as receptionists. Briefly, in May 2010, Mr Darnley was assaulted and struck on the head.  He complained of a… Continue Reading
  • NHS Resolution latest annual report (2018/19) October 1, 2019 Posted in: News, Views - This is the document that gives detailed audited and accurate information about the cost of claims against the NHS.  It is interesting reading and is usually at odds with what is reported in the media.  We are all led to believe that the NHS is on its knees as a result of people suing it. … Continue Reading