By Olivia North. Last updated 16th September 2021. Welcome to our Ipswich Hospital negligence claims guide. In this guide, we’re going to be looking at compensation payments made for negligence at Ipswich Hospital.
Ipswich Hospital negligence claims
While many patients are treated successfully by the hospital every year, there are occasions where things go wrong and a hospital negligence claim has to be made.
We believe that if you are made to suffer because of medical negligence, then you could be able to use one of our personal injury solicitors to help seek compensation.
During this guide, we’re going to look at two extreme cases of negligence at Ipswich hospital that have led to significant damages being awarded. However, we could help with any form of a medical negligence claim, not just the extreme cases. Therefore, we’ll provide examples of negligence that could lead to a claim later in this guide.
Could I make a hospital negligence claim?
In order to have grounds to make a hospital negligence claim, you must be able to prove that you suffered as a result of third-party negligence. Whether a pre-existing condition was exacerbated by a doctor’s misdiagnosis or you sustained a new injury due to surgical malpractice, if you have sufficient evidence of their negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. To learn more about whether you could claim, please speak to one of our specialist advisors today for a free consultation.
Here at Accident Claims, we work with a panel of solicitors that have three decades of experience making claims, including those for hospital negligence. If you’re ready to discuss your claim now, please call 0800 073 8801 today.
Alternatively, should you wish to know more about the types of negligence at Ipswich Hospital which could lead to a compensation claim, please continue reading.
Select A Section
- A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- What Is Considered Hospital Negligence?
- How People May Be Affected By Hospital Negligence?
- Claimant Awarded £6.7m For Brain Damage Caused By Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- Annual Ipswich Hospital Negligence Payouts
- £8m In Annual Compensation Claims Against Ipswich Hospital
- Calculating Compensation Settlements For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- How Do I Claim Compensation For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- No Win No Fee Claims For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- Start Your Claim For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
- Our Panel Of Doctors Covering Ipswich
- Essential Links
A Guide To Claiming Compensation For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
In this Ipswich Hospital negligence claims guide, we’ll explain how you could be entitled to compensation if you have evidence that you suffered as a result of third-party negligence. To be eligible to claim medical negligence against hospitals, you need to be able to prove that:
- You were caused to suffer an injury, be made ill or an existing condition was made worse;
- By a medical professional working in the hospital;
- Who breached their duty of care to you.
While you might think that’s an easy thing to do, it can actually be quite a tricky task. That’s why we always recommend having a specialist personal injury lawyer on your side. You’ll need medical evidence as well as independent medical reports to back up your claims so using a solicitor who has experience dealing in such things, could mean the difference between winning or losing your claim.
In this guide, we are going to look at the types of negligence that could lead to a claim, the size of hospital negligence payouts and what you need to do to begin your own claim.
If you are considering making a claim against Ipswich hospital doctors, you need to bare in mind that there’s a 3-year personal injury claims time limit. The time starts from the day you were injured or from the day you receive a diagnosis confirming your injury or illness.
While we could help you with any type of medical negligence claim, we’re also going to look at two case studies regarding medical negligence at Ipswich Hospital which resulted in 7-figure settlements.
When you’ve read this guide, if you’d like to begin your own claim, please call the number at the top of the screen.
What Is Considered Hospital Negligence?
If you want to make Ipswich Hospital negligence claims, you may be wondering what negligence is and how you can prove it. When you attend a hospital, all staff have a duty of care to try and keep safe while you’re at the hospital. There is an obligation to provide a reasonable standard of care and to act in the patient’s best interests.
Failure to meet the duty of care could mean that the medical professional or member of staff has been negligent. In general terms, medical negligence can be defined as any suffering caused by substandard treatment by a medical professional. In a hospital, that could include a doctor, nurse, anaesthetist, midwife, surgeon or pharmacist.
While it is possible to claim for medical negligence against the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, the same is true for private hospitals too. Furthermore, you could claim compensation if you suffered due to negligence while undergoing a cosmetic procedure.
Ipswich Hospital negligence claims could be made for a range of types of negligence, including the following:
- Contributory negligence – this is where the patient has caused the suffering and compensation won’t be awarded.
- Comparative negligence – a patient is partly to blame and so is a medical professional. Compensation is paid accordingly.
- Gross negligence – Where a medical professional has been shown a disregard for their duty of care causing an error to occur.
When claiming for medical negligence, we recommend that you have a specialist working for you. Proving hospital negligence can be a very complex task that takes a long time and requires specialist knowledge to ensure the correct evidence is provided. Our solicitors all work on a no win no fee basis so you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s fees unless you receive compensation.
How People May Be Affected By Hospital Negligence?
While in most cases, patients visiting hospitals receive a good level of care and the expected outcomes occur, there are times when things go wrong. When that happens, Ipswich Hospital negligence claims could be possible if you can prove that medical professionals breached their duty of care to you. There are many types of hospital negligence that could lead to a claim, including:
- Misdiagnosis – If you are seen by a doctor who fails to diagnose your condition, it could mean you suffer more. That’s because failure to diagnose as early as possible could result in a delay in treatment which means your condition worsens. Also, you might have to undergo more painful and invasive treatment because conditions such as cancer have spread while waiting to be treated.
- Medication errors – If you the wrong medicine is prescribed, dispensed or administered; you might suffer adverse side effects. Also, your underlying condition could worsen (because it’s not being treated), meaning you suffer more.
- Childbirth injuries – When a mother or child is injured during pregnancy, labour or post-birth, a claim might be possible, if it can be proven that the injuries were avoidable.
- Anaesthetic error – You might be entitled to claim compensation if during any form of treatment, you feel pain due to an anaesthetic error. Obviously, the pain can vary depending on the type of treatment but anaesthetic errors during surgery could lead to extreme pain and also cause psychological issues.
- Hospital acquired infections – You could claim if you’re made ill by infections like MRSA.
- Surgical negligence – If you suffer an avoidable injury during surgery, you might be able to sue for negligence even if you’ve signed a waiver or consent form.
If you’d like to discuss a claim for any type of negligence at Ipswich hospital, please call an advisor today.
Claimant Awarded £6.7m For Brain Damage Caused By Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
In this section of our Ipswich Hospital negligence claims guide, we’ll present a recent case study to illustrate. In the first case study, we’re going to look at, Ipswich hospital were told to pay compensation of £6.7m by the High Court. The payment was made to an 11-year old girl who suffered brain damage following mistakes when she was born. Her mother represented her in the proceedings.
It was heard by the court that, a delay in delivery of the child, born by caesarean section, was the cause of suffering.
The girl, who is dependent on a wheelchair, was starved of oxygen in the womb. This caused her to suffer acute cerebral palsy. This has had an effect on her speech as well as her mobility. Although the girl was described as a happy and spirited child who enjoys horse riding and swimming, she will need care for the rest of her life.
The hospital has made an initial £2.6m payment which will be followed by further tax-free payments throughout her life.
Closing the case, the Judge said, “This doesn’t turn the clock back, but it does give you the security of knowing your child will be secure in the future”. The hospital’s barrister offered a sincere apology on behalf of the trust and the hospital. He went on to say, “Nothing I can say or do will give back to her or her family that which was taken away.”
[Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-34702225]
Annual Ipswich Hospital Negligence Payouts
Welcome to the compensation calculator section of our Ipswich Hospital negligence claims guide. In the table below, you’ll find figures which relate to the compensation payments made by the Ipswich Hospital NHS trust from the past 2 years. While the payments were made during the time periods listed, they might actually reflect negligence from further back, due to the time taken for some cases to be concluded.
| Accounting Year | Total Payments Made | Number of Claims Settled |
|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | £9,376,491 | 29 |
| 2016/17 | £4,648,671 | 53 |
You can also look at NHS data breach reports with nationwide findings on the organisation’s website.
£8m In Annual Compensation Claims Against Ipswich Hospital
Another report has shown how negligence at Ipswich Hospital led to nearly £8m of compensation being paid out during 2013/14. That compares to £6m in 2012/13, over £8m in 2011/12 and just under £4m in 2010/11.
The figures were released by the NHS litigation authority (who pay compensation on behalf of NHS trusts) and led to the local MP admitting that when things go wrong, it is right that people are compensated for their suffering.
While the MP said that there were some excellent staff at the hospital, he also stated there was a need to improve the training of staff. This would then improve patient safety he said. Also, he went on to say that training was required so that staff know how to act in an emergency situation and to “own up when things have gone wrong.”
The report suggests that mistakes made while treating or delivering babies were often the most expensive. That’s because the compensation settlement could have to provide care for the child for the rest of their life.
A spokeswoman for the hospital explained that because of the amount of time claims take to process, the figures don’t necessarily relate to recent mistakes. They also said that safe, high-quality compassionate care for all patients was their number one priority.
[Source: www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/8million-spent-on-clinical-negligence-claims-against-ipswich-hospital-1-4006422]
Calculating Compensation Settlements For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
When making a personal injury claim, clients often ask how much compensation they’ll be entitled to. In truth, this is impossible to estimate until a solicitor has been through the case and worked out how the claimant was affected by their injuries.
However, to help you understand one part of your claim, we’ve listed the personal injury claims calculator table below:
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Range | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck | Severe | In the region of £139,210 | A severe neck injury resulting in incomplete paraplegia or no movement in the neck after wearing a collar 24-hours a day for a number of years. |
| Neck | Moderate | £23,460 to £36,120 | Fractures of disclocations of the neck with severe symptoms and which might require spinal fusion. |
| Neck | Minor | £4,080 to £7,410 | Soft tissue type injuries with full recovery between 1 and 2 years. |
| Back | Severe | £85,470 to £151,070 | The most severe spinal injuries which cause incomplete paralysis with impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function. |
| Back | Moderate | £26,050 to £36,390 | Includes compression/crush fractures and a traumatic spondylolisthesis causing severe pain and requiring spinal fusion. |
| Back | Minor | £7,410 to £11,730 | Where full recovery occurs, without surgery, within 2 to 5 years. |
| Shoulder | Severe | £18,020 to £45,070 | Injuries that are linked with neck injuries involving damage to the brachial plexus causing significant disability. |
| Shoulder | Minor | £4,080 to £7,410 | Soft tissue type injuries with full recovery between 1 and 2 years. |
| Pelvis | Moderate | £24,950 to £36,770 | Significant hip or pelvis injury with minor permanent disability. |
| Pelvis | Minor | Up to £3,710 | Minor tissue damage with complete recovery. |
| Arms | Loss of both | £225,960 to £281,520 | The complete loss of both arms causing a state of consisderable helplessness. |
| Arms | Loss of one | £102,890 to £122,860 | Above elbow amputation causing difficulty in using prosthesis. |
| Arms | Moderate | up to £11,820 | Injuries including simple fractures, elbow fractures, lacerations and tennis elbow syndrome. |
| Hand | Serious | £27,220 to £58,100 | Injuries which cause 50% loss of function such as multiple fingers being amputated and re-attatched. |
| Hand | Moderate | £5,260 to £12,460 | Such as crush injuries, penetrating wounds and deep lacerations. |
| Legs | Loss of both | £225,960 to £264,650 | Where both legs are lost above the knee. |
| Legs | Severe | £90,320 to £127,530 | Where a leg isn’t amputated but the injuries are so severe that the effect is the same. |
| Foot | Severe | £39,390 to £65,710 | Includes injuries such as the fracture of both heels or feet with a substantial restriction on mobility. |
| Foot | Moderate | £12,900 to £23,460 | A risk of long-term oesteoarthritis or displaced metarsal fractures. |
| Foot | Modest | up to £12,900 | Ruptured ligaments, puncture wounds and simple metarsal fractures. |
It contains details of some different injuries that could be caused by negligence at hospitals in general. As you’ll notice, each injury is compensated based on its severity. Therefore, your solicitor needs to provide evidence such as medical records and reports to prove how serious your injuries were. If they aren’t able to, you might not receive the correct amount of compensation for your Ipswich Hospital negligence claims.
If you’d like to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to, please speak with an advisor today. Once they’ve assessed your claim, a solicitor might be able to offer a more personalised compensation estimate.
How Do I Claim Compensation For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
If you’re ready to begin Ipswich Hospital negligence claims, you might be wondering where to begin.
First of all, we recommend you write down what happened. Explain why you were in the hospital, what you expected, and what actually happened. Try to include as much detail as possible including dates, times and the doctor’s name.
Next, you should write down all of the expenses you’ve incurred because of your injuries. This could include travelling costs, medication costs and care costs. Also, you might be able to claim for lost income when you need to take time off work. That could be time off for recovering or to attend medical appointments. Therefore, collate any receipts, wage slips or bank statements that show your financial losses.
If you have any visible injuries, we recommend you photograph them as evidence. Finally, if there were any witnesses, it could be beneficial to get their contact details for future reference.
Then, when you have as much evidence as possible, give our advisors a call. They’ll review your circumstances in a no-obligation assessment of your claim. In addition, they’ll take a look at the supporting evidence. If they believe you have a strong case, they could refer you to our panel of solicitors.
No Win No Fee Claims For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
Our panel offers no win no fee services for Ipswich Hospital negligence claims because they allow people to get legal representation with ease. That’s because the financial risk and stress involved with a claim are greatly reduced when you sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
The CFA is a contract between you and your solicitor. It makes it clear that there are no solicitor’s fees to pay unless you are awarded compensation. Also, the CFA will let you know what ‘success fee’ you’ll pay should you be compensated.
The success fee is deducted from your compensation before its paid to you. This means you don’t have to have the funds available to pay the solicitor. The CFA will explain what percentage of your compensation will be used to pay the success fee. However, by law, it can’t be any higher than 25% of your final settlement amount.
Other fees might be payable during your claim. However, we believe the fact that you only have to pay your solicitor’s fees once you receive compensation makes it easier.
Would you like to see whether you could claim on a no win no fee basis? If so, please call one of our advisors today.
Start Your Claim For Negligence At Ipswich Hospital
We hope that you’re now ready to begin your Ipswich Hospital negligence claims with Accident Claims UK. If so, you can contact us by:
- Calling one of our specialist advisors on 0800 073 8801
- Using the live chat feature on this site to connect with an advisor 7 days a week.
- Sending an email to office@accidentclaims.co.uk so that we can get back to you.
- Or request a call back at a convenient time by completing an online form.
Remember that however you contact us, we’ll offer a no-obligation assessment of your claim. We can also provide free advice regarding your options. Our team are friendly and professional and willing to work at a pace that suits you. Also, our solicitors are dedicated to trying to ensure you are compensated fairly and fully for your injuries.
Our Panel Of Doctors Covering Ipswich
An essential part of any personal injury claim is a medical assessment performed by an independent doctor. To save you from having to travel too far, we have a panel of doctors and specialists across the UK. Here are some of the doctors covering Ipswich we could use:
Alba Sanchez Mascunano
Civic Drive,
Ipswich, IP1 2QA.
Rajeev Jahagirdar
Ipswich Clinic,
Duke Street,
Ipswich, IP3 0AQ.
Kunai Rathod
The Havens,
Ipswich, IP3 9SJ.
The doctor will assess you and ask a number of questions regarding your injuries. They’ll then produce a report for your solicitor. They’ll use the report to help determine how much compensation they’ll request for you. It will contain information about your injuries, the severity of them and how they affected you in the short term. Also, it will explain whether there will be any longer-lasting impact.
Essential Links
Thanks for reading this guide about medical negligence at Ipswich hospital. To assist you further, we’ve provided some additional links and resources below.
- Ipswich Hospital CQC Report – The latest inspection report from the Care Quality Commission.
- Ipswich Hospital Complaints – This page explains the complaints procedure for Ipswich Hospital.
- NHS Complaints – A detailed look at how to complain about an NHS service including the different stages of a complaint.
- Hospital Negligence Claims – This guide provides information on hospital negligence claims payouts and the different types of claim that are possible.
- GP Negligence Claims – If you believe your GP has caused you to suffer due to negligence, you could use this guide to help you make a claim against them.
- Birth Injury Claims – A guide which explains when it could be possible to claim compensation for injuries sustained during childbirth.
Thank you for reading our guide on how to make Ipswich Hospital negligence claims with help from our panel of No Win No Fee personal injury lawyers.
Article by BH.
Edited by CE.