New Study Finds Medical Negligence Victims Are Now in Fear of Hospitals

Hospitals are supposed to be places where people should feel safe. Under the supervision of medical professionals whose top priority is their patients’ health and well being

People who work in hospitals and other medical establishments have a duty of care towards anyone under their supervision, but what happens when the carers become negligent?

With a shortage of doctors and nurses in hospitals in Australia becoming more of a problem, the number of people seeking compensation for the medical negligence they have suffered is rising.

A Study

A recent study conducted by medical negligence lawyers at Australian Accident Helpline found that 59% of victims of negligence now say that they would not attend the hospital unless it were a life or death situation.

From that 59%, 19% of those stated that they wouldn’t even go if their life depended on it.

Although these statistics may seem extreme to some people, medical negligence can leave a lasting effect on those that have been affected by it.

Damian Shaw of Australian Accident Helpline said, “People have put their trust into someone to take care of them and make them better, and they have broken that trust in an irreparable way”.

What Is Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence is when a medical professional fails to take reasonable care of a patient.

If their carelessness or negligence results in the harm or injury of a patient, this is known as clinical negligence or medical negligence.

Common Types of Medical Negligence

The list of what falls under medical negligence is enormous.

Some of the most common types of medical negligence include:

  • Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
  • Failure to treat
  • Surgical Errors
  • Birth Injury
  • Hospital or care home negligence
  • The types of medical negligence a person can suffer are not limited to this list.

    If yourself or a loved one thinks they may have suffered from medical negligence, it would be best to seek legal advice.

    How Many People Suffer from Medical Negligence?

    According to an article that appeared on abc.net.au, they stated that around 18,000 people die each year as a result of medical negligence or a medical error.

    They go on to state that around 50,000 suffer a permanent injury at the hands of a negligent medical professional or professionals.

    This article was published back in 2013, so the numbers will have changed drastically since then.

    What If I Think I Have Suffered Medical Negligence?

    If you think you have been a victim of this, your best option would be to speak to a specialist solicitor.

    An experienced lawyer will look at the circumstances surrounding your case and advise whether you are eligible to make a claim.

    If they can prove that medical malpractice has taken place, then you may be entitled to compensation.

    In Conclusion

    The fact that someone wouldn’t want to go to the doctors or hospital when they are unwell can be baffling to some people, but for those affected the fear could stay with them for the rest of their lives.

    Many people, after a car accident, avoid driving or become anxious when travelling in a vehicle especially if they are not in control. This is the same thing.

    If you feel there has been a breach in the care you or a loved one has received, it may be wise to speak with a medical negligence lawyer.

    Contributed by:

    The Correspondent