Trends in Negligence Compensation Claims Against the NHS
NHS Resolution, the branch of the NHS which deals with resolving clinical negligence disputes, has recently published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2021/2022. What does it tell us?
Overview of trends
The report identifies that Obstetrics, the medical specialty dealing with pregnancy and maternity, continues to represent the highest amount in terms of the value of the claims. In 2021/2022, out of a total value of claims reported in excess of £6,000 million, the value of Obstetrics claims represented 62%.
In terms of the number of claims per year, Obstetrics again represents one of the three areas of medicine which produce the highest number of claims along with Emergency medicine and Orthopaedic surgery which each also represented 12% of the number of claims during 2021/2022.
Looking at the bigger picture, and taking other medical specialties into account, the total number of claims over the most recent twelve-month period had increased over the previous year from 13,351 to 15,078. The number of claims closed over that period also increased, both those where damages were awarded and those where no damages were awarded.
Payments against all clinical negligence schemes by the NHS also increased in the year 2021 - 2022, including both damages paid and legal costs.
Claiming compensation for negligent medical care
If a patient suffers due to negligent medical care, they are legally entitled to make a claim for compensation. If the impact of the negligence has caused debilitating symptoms, leading to a loss of income and additional costs, those financial losses will be included in a successful claim to the extent that they have been caused by the negligence.
However, it is vital to remember that claims for compensation for medical negligence need to be initiated without three years of the date of the alleged negligence. This is not the date by which a solicitor is instructed but the date by which the claim is issued by the solicitor. A solicitor will need plenty of time before this deadline to obtain the relevant medical records, instruct medical experts and investigate the validity and value of the claim. If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent care, contact a specialist solicitor promptly.
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