Medical negligence and malpractice have a devasting impact on patients across the UK, and they can lead to worsened existing conditions, new injuries and even death. It’s important to be aware of medical negligence and malpractice within the healthcare system. You might be currently receiving treatment, or you may need access to healthcare in the future.
If you experience medical negligence or malpractice, seek advice from a personal injury lawyer. They can handle the legal side of things while you take time to cope with any emotional distress following the injury.
So, what is the difference between medical negligence and malpractice?
Medical negligence
Medical negligence is an unintentional mistake made by a healthcare professional that results in patient harm. For example, they might have accidentally administered the wrong medication or left a surgical instrument inside the patient. Medical negligence is often down to human error. If you file a personal injury case, you can hold the person and company liable for the damages you have received since the injury.
A medical negligence case could be extremely triggering for you and make it difficult to move on from the event. You will have to recount the event in detail and talk about how much the injury has cost you – both financially, physically and mentally.
Medical negligence patients will often experience challenges with their mental health. In some cases, patients can feel betrayed by their healthcare provider and vulnerable.
Medical malpractice
Medical malpractice is when a healthcare professional knowingly provides an inadequate standard of care. The extent to which they did not follow the proper standards of care varies and determines the severity of the injury caused. Malpractice can span from a misdiagnosis to a failure to treat the patient at all.
There have been some terrifying examples of medical malpractice throughout the years. Surgeons have amputated the wrong leg, the wrong sperm has been used at a fertility clinic, and a screwdriver was once inserted into a patient’s back. Healthcare professionals have enormous control over their patients’ bodies, and things can go very wrong.
Medical malpractice can happen for a number of reasons. Some medical malpractice cases have malicious intent, while others are a result of laziness. A court can delve deeper into your medical malpractice case to determine the reasons behind the injury.
What should you do if you have experienced either?
If you have experienced a medical injury, you need to consider whether it was an unfortunate complication of treatment or a result of substandard care. A lawyer can take a look at your case and offer some advice on your circumstances. You must have experienced an injury from the medical professional’s recklessness to sue for either medical negligence or malpractice.
Substandard care can have awful consequences for the patient and should not be taken lightly.
