Medical negligence or medical malpractice occurs where a patient of a doctor, hospital or other healthcare or medical professional receives substandard medical care or healthcare, which leads to a new injury or progression and worsening of a pre-existing medical condition. It can happen in several ways, due to misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis of an illness or a medical condition, being given incorrect treatment or not being warned about the consequences of the proposed treatment or alternative treatment options, as well as due to mistakes or errors that are made before, during or after surgical procedures.
If you or anyone you know has suffered a physical or psychiatric injury, death or a complication as a result of negligent medical treatment at the hands of a general practitioner, specialist doctor, hospital or other healthcare provider, our medical negligence lawyers will secure you the compensation you deserve. We’ll be here for you every step of the way guiding you through the process in your medical negligence claim. We have the expert knowledge, expertise and a proven track record needed to obtain outstanding results in all type of medical negligence and medical malpractice compensation claims.
We’ll act for you on a no win, no fee basis with no upfront costs. See our why choose us page for many more reasons as to why so many Australians choose Longton Compensation Lawyers over anyone else for their medical negligence compensation claim.
General Practitioner and Family Doctor Negligence
General practitioners and family doctors or physicians treat all common medical conditions. They are responsible for referring their patients for urgent hospital and specialist treatment and investigation.
Hospital Negligence
Many medical negligence claims arise out of treatment provided at public or private hospitals by doctors, surgeons, specialists, midwifes and nurses. Medical treatment does not always go to plan and mistakes and errors do occur even in the hands of the most experienced medical professionals.
Surgical Errors and Injuries
Thousands of patients are injured because of surgical errors and mistakes each year. These injuries can be very severe, and many patients will require lifelong care and treatment as a result. In addition to the physical damage, the experience can also be emotionally traumatic for both the patient and their family.
Medical Misdiagnosis
Medical misdiagnosis occurs when symptoms of a serious medical condition are attributed to a less serious medical condition. As a result, the more serious condition is missed and not diagnosed. Medical misdiagnosis leads to erroneous or inappropriate treatment, delayed treatment or no treatment at all being provided to the patient.
Childbirth Injury Claims
Thousands of women each year give birth to babies all over Australia. Often, what should be a joyful and happy experience for mothers and fathers ends up being a very traumatic experience as result of negligence on the part of their obstetrician, midwife, hospital staff or other medical professionals responsible for provision of antenatal care, labour and delivery of their baby. This often results in injuries to the mother, baby or both.
Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery Claims
Cosmetic treatment is a thriving billion-dollar industry. Hundreds of thousands of Australians undergo cosmetic medical and non-medical procedures each year. Whilst demand is high, patient confidence in the “murky” cosmetic industry is at its lowest point it has ever been, as thousands of men and women around our country go under the knife of cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons in order to improve their looks and appearance, concerns about standards and the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry mount. Many patients begin to question the safety and skill level of their plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons as well as cosmetic clinics due to poor surgical outcomes and the need for further corrective or revision surgery.
Dental and Orthodontic Negligence
Dental practitioners, orthodontists and dental and oral surgeons owe the same duty of care to their patients as any other medical professionals and treatment providers. They are required to exercise reasonable skill and care in provision of dental treatment to their patients, by taking all available and necessary steps to avoid and minimise the risk of injury during dental treatment.
Anaesthetic or Anaesthesia Errors
Anaesthesia is an inherently risky part of any surgery. Anaesthetists are responsible for administrating and monitoring anaesthesia and the patient’s vital signs during a surgical procedure. They are also consulted prior to surgery to ensure that the patient is fit enough to undergo surgery based in light of their medical history and condition.
Failure to Warn and Informed Consent
Ensuring informed consent is properly obtained is a professional, legal and ethical obligation of every medical professional. It is up to the patient, and no one else, to decide as to whether to undergo a particular surgical procedure or be subject to a particular medical treatment.
Medication and Prescription Errors
Medication and prescription errors are mistakes which occur in prescribing, dispensing and giving of medications. Although most medication and prescription errors can be prevented, they injure hundreds of thousands of people in Australia each year.
Falls in Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Falls among inpatients are the most frequently reported safety incidents in Australian Hospitals today. Majority of hospital falls result in some physical injury and fractures. No fall is harmless, it always leads to psychological sequelae leading to lost confidence, delays in functional recovery and prolonged hospitalisation, especially in the elderly population. Although prevention of falls can be complex, a number measures can often be implemented in order to minimise the risk of falls occurring.
Development of Pressure Sores
A pressure sore, also known as a bedsore, pressure ulcer, or decubitus ulcer, is an area of injured skin because of pressure onto that area. A pressure injury happens when force is applied onto the surface of the skin. This force can be a constant pressure on an area of skin or a dragging or shearing force between the skin and another surface. Pressure injuries usually occur over bony parts of the body such as hips, heels, tailbone, elbows, head and ankles. Moisture in these areas increases the risk of pressure sore development. Pressure sores can become life-threatening if they develop into a deep wound or become infected.
Wrongful Death and Compensation to Relatives
Losing a loved one because of negligent medical treatment or medical negligence can be a very traumatic experience for everyone involved, particularly for family members who are financially dependent on that person and have relied on them for support, care and domestic and childcare assistance.
Nervous Shock Claims or Mental Harm Claims
Losing a loved one because of negligent medical treatment or medical negligence can be a very traumatic experience for everyone involved, particularly if you witnessed your loved one suffer or become injured because of negligent medical treatment or healthcare.
Key Contacts
Yevgeni Shkuratov
Partner | Accredited Personal Injury Law Specialist NSW
Anthony Porthouse
Partner | Accredited Personal Injury Law Specialist NSW