Have you been injured as the result of negligent treatment by the ambulance service or in Accident & Emergency?
Powell & Co is able to offer specialist advice and assistance in bringing claims for compensation regarding substandard ambulance and/or A&E care.
Our specialist team has considerable experience in handling claims involving emergency care and treatment whether that be by the ambulance service on in A&E. The spectrum of injuries in claims involving ambulance or A&E care is understandably quite wide but we most frequently encounter emergency care negligence in cases involving: orthopaedic injuries such as fractures, dislocations and tendon injuries; infections and sepsis; and chest pain and heart attacks.
Every case is different and whatever the injury we take care to provide a personal service, combining empathy and compassion with our legal know-how and expertise. You can be sure that we will be with you all the way through your compensation claim.
Receive the compensation that you deserve
How much you will receive in compensation will depend upon a number of factors including the nature and severity of your injury, the effect of your injury on your day to day life, whether you now need care and assistance you did not need before, your mobility needs, and whether your injury is likely to get worse in the future. If you have had to take unpaid time off work or are unable to return to work, it may also be possible to claim for loss of earnings. It is important to keep receipts in respect of any equipment you have had to purchase or other expenses you have incurred as the result of your injury as it may be possible to include these as part of your claim.
The team at Powell & Co will use all of their expertise to get you the compensation that you deserve. Please bear in mind that there are time limits for bringing a claim and so it is important to instruct solicitors sooner rather than later so there is sufficient time for a thorough investigation to be conducted before proceedings are issued.
We are able to help with claims regarding ambulance and A&E negligence, including those involving :
- Misdiagnosis
- Delays in diagnosis of orthopaedic injuries including fractures, dislocations and ruptured tendons
- Delays in diagnosis and treatment of infections and/or sepsis
- Delays in diagnosis of heart conditions and heart attacks
- Delays in diagnosis of brain haemorrhage
- Delays in diagnosis of TIAs and stroke
- Delays in diagnosis of allergic reactions
- Mismanagement of drug overdoses
Case studies
MC v. Barts Health NHS Trust
The Claimant suffered injury to her cervical spinal cord from a prolapsed disc. She alleged there was a negligent delay on the part of the Defendant in diagnosis of her injury following attendance at the Defendant’s accident and emergency unit and thereafter outpatient clinic appointments. The Claimant eventually underwent surgery for her injury but due to the delay, was left with impaired mobility, double incontinence and weak limbs.
Liability was initially disputed by the Defendant. Subsequently, partial admissions of fault were made in relation to the delay in surgery. However, the Defendant did not admit the Claimant had suffered any injury because of this delay.
The claim was settled shortly before the trial with the Claimant receiving an award of damages in excess of £2.3 million.
M v. Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust
The Claimant claimed damages arising from delay in diagnosis and treatment of a brain tumour. Following attendance at the Defendant’s A&E department he was initially incorrectly diagnosed with Bels Palsy.
Fortunately, the Claimant made a good recovery from his injury despite the delay in treatment. The claim was initially disputed so proceedings were issued. The claim subsequently settled with the Claimant receiving agreed damages of £35,000.
M v. Barts Health NHS Trust
The Claimant claimed damages for clinical negligence arising from a delay in diagnosis and treatment for a heart attack following emergency attendance at hospital. Due to delay in treatment, the Claimant suffered an extended absence from work together with psychological symptoms. Supportive expert evidence was obtained following which a Letter of Claim was submitted to the Trust. The Trust subsequently admitted negligence but put the Claimant to proof as to his injuries and losses arising from the errors made.
The claim eventually settled prior to the issue of proceedings with the Claimant receiving agreed damages of £51,700.
S v Barking, Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
This claimed involved a failure to diagnose and treat a pulmonary embolism following long distance travel reported to clinicians. We acted for the children of the deceased who had suffered from the loss of a parent both emotionally and financially. The Defendant initially denied breach of duty and causation, however, we obtained supportive evidence. The case went on to settle following the issue of court proceedings but before trial for the damages in the sum of £90,000.
S v Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
This claim involved a delay in diagnosis and treatment of Cauda Equina Syndrome, a serious spinal condition. The Defendant made some limited admissions relating to the substandard examination of the Claimant. It put the Claimant to strict proof on causation and alleged contributory negligence on the part of the Claimant. The case went on to settle without the need to issue court proceedings for damages in the sum of £75,000.
