Medical Negligence

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Medical negligence lawsuits are becoming more prevalent as people seek to protect their rights in regards to medical malpractice. These types of personal injury claims can be complex, which is why it’s important to contact a medical negligence lawyer as soon as possible.

Medical negligence (also known as medical malpractice) occurs when the treatment provided by a health service provider is deemed to be less than an acceptable standard by law and is cause for compensation. Health service providers include doctors, surgeons, dentists, as well as health service organisations such as public or private hospitals, clinics or medical centres.

Understanding medical negligence with Owen Hodge Lawyers

Medical professionals are under a common law duty to take reasonable care for the safety and well being of their patients. Breaches of that duty of care may give rise to claims for damages, and this is called medical negligence or medical malpractice. Lawyers for medical negligence can help you in the following instances.

So if you find yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to get in contact with Owen Hodge to lodge a medical negligence claim.

Suffered an injury from professional negligence instead? Talk to a professional negligence lawyer about submitting a claim.

Medical negligence law claims may involve the following:

  • Failure to diagnose a condition or misdiagnosis;
  • Failure to warn a patient about possible complications or risks of surgery and other procedures;
  • Failure to conduct appropriate tests such as blood tests, scans, biopsies to diagnose a condition or failure to advise patients of test results;
  • Failing to or delay in providing the appropriate medical treatment or referral to a specialist;
  • Failing to perform surgery with reasonable care and skill;
  • Failing to report correctly on test results;
  • Failing to provide post-operative care or diagnose and/treat complications after surgery.

To prove medical malpractice/negligence, you need to show that:

  • A duty of care was owed to you. For a medical negligence case to be considered, you need to prove that a duty of care was owed to you and that it was breached.
  • The standard of care was not met. You need to prove that the medical professional/hospital acted outside of competent practice. This can only be done by an independent expert.
  • Causation. You have to show that the actions of the medical professional/hospital caused (or contributed to) an injury.
  • Damages. After it has been proved there was medical malpractice, you need to determine what you can claim compensation for. This could be:
    • Pain and suffering damages
    • Loss of current and future wages
    • Medical expenses
    • Future at-home care costs

This process can be complicated, so we highly recommend seeking legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Learn more: 

Some people choose to make a complaint in addition to or instead of a medical negligence compensation claim. Whether or not you decide to pursue a compensation claim, you can still make a complaint to an independent government body/commission. In NSW, you can lodge a claim with the Health Care Complaints Commission and/or seek compensation for medical negligence.

A complaint about medical negligence must be lodged in writing as required by the Act. To lodge a complaint online, or download a complaint form, visit the Health Care Complaints Commission website. Alternatively, you can write a letter and send it to the Commission via mail, email or fax.

It is not only the person who has allegedly experienced negligent treatment that can make a complaint about medical negligence.

Under common law, any person, including the following, can make a complaint:

  • The person who experienced the alleged medical negligence.
  • A parent or guardian of the person or child concerned.
  • A relative, friend or representative chosen by the person concerned for the purpose of making the complaint.
  • A health service provider or other concerned person.

However, if a complaint is made on behalf of the person who experienced the problem, written authority is required to lodge the complaint. It is also required where access to medical records is necessary under the existing medical negligence law. If the person is under 18 years of age or deceased, written authority is not required.

You can make a complaint under current medical negligence law against anyone who is a medical practitioner, health provider and/or health organisation in NSW.

This may include practitioners and organisations such as:

  • Health professionals such as doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists
  • Health service organisations such as public or private hospitals, clinics, medical centres, day surgery centres or
  • Service providers not requiring registration in NSW such as acupuncturists, naturopaths, psychotherapists.

What happens when the complaint is lodged?

Once the Commission receives a complaint, it will be allocated to an Assessment Officer. The Commission usually notifies the health service provider that a complaint has been made about them and provides a copy of your complaint. The Commission has 60 days to assess your complaint. When the Commission has made its assessment decision, all the parties involved will be notified of the decision in writing within 14 days.

If you would like to know more about how to lodge a complaint against medical negligence, learn about your rights, or to make a compensation claim, contact our personal injury lawyers during business hours on 1800 770 780.

Further information relating to personal injury:

Owen Hodge is here to help

If you’ve sustained an injury from medical negligence, and want to make a claim for compensation, speak to the lawyers at Owen Hodge.

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Medical Negligence Lawyers

Rolf Howard

Managing Partner, Commercial Litigation Lawyer