When we place our trust in hospitals and medical professionals, it's with the hope and expectation of receiving the best possible care. Hospitals are places of healing, where skilled professionals work diligently to safeguard our wellbeing. However, there are instances when the care provided falls short of the standards we expect and deserve. Mistakes, oversights or lapses in judgement can lead to injury and cause undue pain, suffering or even long-term consequences for patients and their families.

If you or a loved one have experienced such an unfortunate event, it's essential to know that you have rights. At Switalskis, we're here to make sure those rights are upheld, guiding you through every step of the claims process to seek justice and compensation for the harm you've experienced.

To speak to one of our specialist hospital and clinical negligence claims solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458 , or contact us through the website.

When we talk about hospital negligence, we're referring to situations where the care provided by a hospital or its staff falls below the accepted standard, causing injury to a patient. It's essential to understand that not every undesirable outcome in a hospital setting is due to clinical negligence, and not every mistake can be described as negligent. However, when the care provided falls short of expected professional standards, it becomes a cause for concern. Here's more detail about what hospital negligence involves:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: a timely and accurate diagnosis is vital for effective medical treatment. If a condition is misdiagnosed or there's a significant delay in diagnosis, it can lead to unnecessary complications, prolonged suffering, or even reduced chances of recovery.
• Surgical errors: these can include damaging neighbouring structures, failing to achieve the outcome of surgery and poor suturing. Such errors can have severe, sometimes life-altering consequences.
• Medication mistakes and drug interactions: administering the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or failing to account for patient allergies can lead to adverse reactions, complications or even fatality.
• Poor post-operative care: after surgery, patients are particularly vulnerable. Neglecting post-operative care, like not monitoring vital signs or failing to prevent infections, can lead to complications that might have been avoidable.
• Infection management: hospitals should be places of healing, but sometimes infections can arise that can delay healing and cause complications if treated adequately. 
• Communication errors: effective communication between medical professionals and patients is vital. Miscommunication can lead to errors in treatment, medication or patient care.
• Lack of informed consent: patients have the right to choose what is done to their bodies, and to decide what treatment they will receive. In order to make a fully-informed choice they must be told of any proposed procedure, medication or other treatment any available alternatives and their respective risks and benefits.

Understanding the nuances of hospital negligence is the first step in recognising when you might have a valid claim. If you believe you've experienced any of these or other forms of medical negligence and this has caused you additional harm, it's essential to consult with hospital negligence solicitors to understand your rights and the potential path forward.

Typically, you have three years from the date on which you first suffered injury due to negligence. If at that time you did not suspect that the injury was caused by negligence, then the three-year period starts when you later realised that the injury might have been due to negligence. However, there are exceptions:

• Children: if the person who suffered an injury due to negligence is under 18 at the time, the three-year period doesn’t start until their 18th birthday. This means they have until they turn 21 to start legal proceedings.
• Mental capacity: if the person who suffered an injury due to negligence lacked the mental capacity to make their own decisions at the time of their injury, then the three-year time limit doesn’t start to run until and unless they regain such capacity.
• Fatal cases: if you’re claiming in respect of a family member who passed away, the claim must be made within three years of the date of death, or the date of knowledge that negligent treatment caused their death.

It's always best to consult with us as soon as possible to make sure you don't miss any critical deadlines.