Signs You Might Have Experienced Clinical Negligence: What to Look Out For

If you've ever felt like something went wrong during your NHS care and wondered if it could be clinical negligence, you’re not alone. Many patients aren’t sure how to identify negligence in their treatment, but understanding the signs can help you feel more informed and confident about your next steps.

What is Clinical Negligence?

Clinical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional provides care that falls below the acceptable standard, resulting in harm to the patient. Unlike a simple unexpected outcome, negligence involves mistakes, oversights, or omissions that directly cause harm, such as an injury, worsening of a condition, or preventable complications.

In the UK, proving clinical negligence typically requires showing that the care you received was not only below expected standards but also that it directly caused you harm.

Key Signs of Clinical Negligence to Watch For

If you’re questioning your care, look out for these common signs of clinical negligence:

• Unexpected Worsening of Your Condition: If you left your treatment feeling worse or if your symptoms escalated in a way that seemed preventable, it might be due to errors or delays in care.

  
  

• Delays in Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis: If a diagnosis took much longer than expected or if you were given the wrong diagnosis, this can lead to missed treatment opportunities. Clinical negligence could be involved if this delay or error in diagnosis directly worsened your condition.

  
  

• Errors in Surgery: Surgery is a serious medical procedure, and certain mistakes—like operating on the wrong body part or leaving tools inside the body—are preventable. Surgical errors that cause harm or require additional surgeries may be a sign of clinical negligence.

  
  

• Wrong Medication or Dosage: If you were prescribed the wrong medication or dosage, this can lead to adverse reactions or make your condition worse. Medication mistakes are often preventable and can indicate negligence if they cause further harm.

  
  

• Lack of Informed Consent: Before any procedure or treatment, your healthcare provider should inform you about potential risks and outcomes, so you’re able to make an informed decision. If they didn’t explain these risks or skipped vital aftercare steps, you might not have been given proper care.

  
  

• Inadequate Follow-Up Care: After treatment, follow-up care can be essential to prevent complications or help with recovery. If a healthcare provider failed to offer or recommend necessary follow-up, and you suffered as a result, this might indicate clinical negligence.

  
  

Why Does Clinical Negligence Happen?

In the busy NHS system, where healthcare providers work under pressure, mistakes can unfortunately occur. However, NHS patients have the right to safe, standardised care, and clinical negligence is more than just an “unfortunate” outcome. It means that preventable errors were made that led to avoidable harm.

What to Do if You Suspect Clinical Negligence

If any of the signs above resonate with your experience, consider taking the following steps:

1. Obtain Your Medical Records: NHS patients can request access to their medical records. Reviewing these records can provide insight into your treatment and whether errors may have been made.

   
   

2. File a Formal Complaint with the NHS: Submitting a complaint can prompt an investigation into your case and may lead to explanations or corrections within the NHS. While it doesn’t guarantee compensation, it can still help highlight what happened.

   
   

3. Consult a Clinical Negligence Solicitor: If you suspect that your case involves clinical negligence, a solicitor specialising in this area can review your situation. They’ll explain if you have a valid claim and guide you through the process, often on a no-win-no-fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about upfront costs.

   
   

Need Help Understanding Your Rights?

If you’re uncertain about your treatment or need more information, we’re here to help. Fill out the form below with any questions or concerns about clinical negligence, and we’ll provide guidance specific to your scenario.

Understanding your options can help you feel more empowered. Contact us today to discuss your clinical negligence concerns and let us support you on the journey to understanding your rights.