Novum Law recognised in prestigious Chambers & Partners Guide 2024
The team at Novum Law are delighted to be once again recognised as one of the best personal injury law firms in the South West by the leading, independent legal...
Accident and emergency departments provide a crucial service if you or a loved one needs urgent medical attention.
A&E staff are trained to deal with critical situations, but they work in high-pressure environments which can be made worse by staff shortages or financial constraints.
While most A&E patients receive a good standard of care, unfortunately mistakes do happen. The results can be serious, sometimes life-changing, and even fatal.
If you or a family member has been affected by mistakes made in A&E, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have years of experience helping people, who’ve suffered serious injury or illness in A&E due to:
- Misdiagnosis
- Delayed treatment
- Failure to recognise life-threatening conditions (for example: severe internal bleeding, meningitis, sepsis)
- Failure to be referred for tests
- Misinterpretation of X-rays or scans
- Administration of the wrong medication or incorrect dosage
Your solicitor will meet with you in the comfort of your own home, or wherever is most convenient, to discuss the details of your claim and advise you on the best way to proceed. They will take time to listen to your needs and concerns, and can often signpost useful support groups and organisations. As medical negligence specialists, our team will be able to provide the most-expert advice for these types of compensation claims, and can often succeed where other law firms have failed. Your solicitor will work in partnership with renowned medical experts to understand the details of your illness or injury, and secure you the best possible compensation.
What counts as negligence in A&E claims?
If you or a loved one has needed to visit A&E, you have a right to expect an appropriate standard of care which may include being provided with an accurate diagnosis or prompt treatment. Unfortunately, because of the pressures in a busy A&E environment, this does not always happen and mistakes can occur. Perhaps you’ve faced unacceptable delays or your condition has worsened because you were not treated in the correct way. If you’ve received sub-standard care that has resulted in harm which could have been avoided, you may be able to make a medical negligence compensation claim.
Can I make an A&E compensation claim?
If you or a family member has experienced sub-standard care while visiting the A&E department and this has led to injury, illness or further medical complications, you may be able to make an A&E compensation claim. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors have lots of experience helping people who’ve been harmed due to mistakes being made in A&E. To find out if you can make a claim, call our specialist team on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or complete our form to arrange a free, no-obligation chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if your claim is successful and liability is accepted for your injury or illness, your specialist solicitor can help you access any medical treatment and rehabilitation you need during the course of your claim. Novum Law has a strong track record securing early interim payments before final settlements are agreed to pay for care and support.
Yes. The general rule is that you have three years from the date of the negligence or the date when you first realised your injury may have been caused by someone else’s mistake or negligence.
If you are claiming on behalf of a child, you can claim at any time until the child turns 18. When the child turns 18 they can make their own claim but the three year time limit will then apply and they will have until their 21st birthday to make a claim themselves.
There are exceptions to this rule. For example, there is no time limit for people who don’t have the mental capacity to make legal decisions and different time limits apply for some injuries or illnesses sustained abroad.
Time can be a critical factor in compensation claims, so it’s important to get in touch with our specialist medical negligence team as soon as possible for expert advice.
The compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injury or illness and the impact on your life. Severe, life-changing injuries will involve more compensation to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, care and support, adaptations to the home and loss of earnings and pension.
Starting an A&E negligence compensation claim is straightforward. To begin your claim, contact us on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or online for a free, no obligation chat. Click here to learn more about our team and the high level of expertise in your area of injury.
After an initial consultation phone call, your specialist solicitor will come to visit you in your home – or a location at your convenience – to discuss the details of your claim. This will include information such as how your injuries occurred and the impact that your injuries have on your day-to-day life, so they can understand your needs and advise you on the compensation you may be able to claim.
Our legal expert will also use this as an opportunity to talk you through the process of making a claim and to explain your funding options and any relevant paperwork for making your claim.
From that point on, your solicitor will pursue your claim on your behalf. The next step will be to contact the defendant’s insurers and to start gathering evidence to support your claim, liaising with medical experts and healthcare providers to access your records. Your solicitor will keep you updated as your claim progresses and at every step of the process.
There are no upfront or hidden costs when you make a compensation claim with Novum Law…read more
Most cases are settled without going to court. It is often necessary to issue court proceedings…read more
Yes, if your loved one died and someone else was to blame, you may be able…read more
If you are making a compensation claim and you’re unhappy with the service or advice you are…read more
If you have a question that is not listed above, please visit our FAQs page. Alternatively, please call our specialist team on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation chat.
