When you visit a general practice, you expect more than just medical advice; you expect a more personalised check-up and someone who can help you navigate your health concerns with honest and impartial advice.
Although the standard of care given by GPs in the UK is one of the highest in the world, there are instances where sadly things can go wrong. GP negligence defines errors made by doctors that can lead to avoidable consequences for your health.
What is GP negligence?
GP negligence occurs when a general practitioner fails to meet the expected standard of care. Here are some examples that could be GP negligence:
Inadequate examination
Your GP is expected to thoroughly examine your symptoms. Neglecting this step may lead to misdiagnosis or missed health issues.
Not considering your medical history
A comprehensive understanding of your medical and family history is one of the first steps in identifying your health problems. Failing to take your medical history into account can result in mistakes.
Failing to refer to a specialist
A GP must recognize potential serious health issues and refer patients to the appropriate specialists for investigations and diagnosis. The failure to do so doesn’t allow for further evaluation and can delay the appropriate care you require.
Prescribing the wrong medication
A wrong prescription can be a serious negligence that can lead to dangerous complications or even exacerbate a patient’s condition.
Not diagnosing your illness or injury in a reasonable time
Delayed diagnosis can lead to the progression of the patient’s condition and could even affect the available treatment options when the diagnosis is finally complete.
The impact of a GP’s mistake or failure to properly diagnose an illness or injury can lead to physical suffering, emotional distress, and financial burdens for the patient. Fortunately, there are legal avenues to seek compensation if you have suffered GP negligence.
The time limit for clinical negligence claims is three years from the date you received the treatment or three years from when you became aware that your illness or injury was caused or exacerbated due to the treatment you received.
By bringing your claim to us we promise to do everything we can to get you the compensation that you deserve. You will be assigned a personal claim handler who will guide you through your claim and will provide you with regular updates from start to finish.
Give us a call today for a free consultation to discuss your claim!