Category: Medical
Hernia mesh compensation case – we can help
Despite their use in patient treatment for a long time, hernia mesh implants have become a huge cause for concern after many patients have come forward to report complications resulting from the use of mesh. According to some estimations, as many as tens of thousands of patients who have undergone mesh surgery in recent years could face complications further down the line. In a hernia mesh compensation case, people could pursue compensation claims for any suffering from harmful consequences from hernia mesh, and it may be that they were victims of medical negligence.
Prior to recent shocking revelations, many patients who agreed to undergo surgery to implant hernia mesh may have had little to no knowledge of the potential dangers associated with the medical device. Where doctors may have offered the treatment with little regard for potential pain and injuries, they may have breached their duty of care, and their actions could constitute medical negligence.
If you are among those who have been affected by mesh implants, we know that the pain and suffering may have taken a severe toll on your life. We are here to support you through this difficult time, and to give you the chance to claim the compensation you deserve.
Medoject hypodermic and blunt fill needles
An update has recently been issued by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) warning of the potential dangers of Medoject hypodermic and blunt fill needles produced by the manufacturer. After concerns were raised about certain batches, the manufacturer issued a Field Safety Notice recalling the five batches of needles in question, according to the MHRA. Used by healthcare services across the UK, there is a worry that a potentially harmful substance may have been unknowingly injected into patients.
Over the years, we have taken on a number of claims regarding faulty or harmful medical products, including hernia mesh and metal-on-metal hip implants. One of our biggest group litigation cases is that of the PIP breast implants – in our action, we have already recovered over £1m in compensation for the victims.
Although there is currently no evidence to suggest that anyone has been harmed by the Medoject needles, we believe that all cases like these require thorough investigation.
MHRA raises alert regarding potential “incomplete sterilisation” – Steril Milano
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the UK government regulator that monitors the practices of medical product manufacturers and the safety of the goods they produce, has reportedly identified fraudulent activity involving a company based in Italy. Steril Milano is understood to provide services for sterilising medical equipment and devices for a number of manufacturers, including some who supply products to the UK.
However, following its acquisition by a new parent company in 2021, it is believed that Steril Milano did not complete sterilisation processes to the required standard for dozens of manufacturers to whom it provides its services. In response, according to the MHRA, they were forced to take action to ensure that the risk to patients in the UK is minimised.
Whenever concerns are raised about the safety of medical products, it is essential that regulators act to investigate the manufacturers suspected of negligence, as well as alerting relevant hospitals and healthcare centres to give them an opportunity to protect their patients. The MHRA has hopefully acted quickly enough in this case to prevent as many patients as possible from being harmed.
Lister Fertility Clinic data breach action
The Group Action Lawyers is in the early stages of working on a potential group action for anyone affected by the Lister Fertility Clinic data breach.
Correspondence is understood to be going out to those who may be affected, which could be as many as 1,700 patients. Medical records and sensitive clinical information could be exposed in the breach, so the impact on the victims could be significant.
The team is on hand now to offer free, no-obligation advice on a confidential basis here now.
Ian Paterson compensation claims
In 2017, former breast surgeon Ian Paterson was reportedly jailed for 20 years after being found guilty of 17 counts of wounding with intent, with an additional three wounding charges. The criminal conviction demonstrates the severity of the case, which represents one of the most serious and wide-reaching cases of medical malpractice ever seen in the UK. However, the case against Paterson is far from over, with latest reports revealing that thousands of further victims may be able to engage in the Ian Paterson compensation claims processes.
A new patient recall issued by Spire Healthcare, a private provider by which Paterson was employed for a number of years, is understood to encompass some 5,500 former patients of Paterson. This may mean that thousands more victims might have suffered due to unnecessary procedures, including breast surgery and harmful ‘cleavage-sparing’ mastectomies. Additional victims could now be eligible to recover damages also.
As specialists in medical negligence and group actions, our legal representation has been available to victims since the scandal first came about. We urge any further victims who have been notified by the hospitals who employed Ian Paterson to come forward and claim the compensation they may be owed. Although nothing can reverse the harm caused to you, it is vital that those responsible are held to account for the harm caused.
NHS Digital data breach three-year anniversary
In July, it was three years since the NHS Digital data breach was first reported. This was a wide-reaching data protection incident in which tens of thousands of people had their personal information misused. NHS Digital was found to have caused personal data misuse after a system error denied patients the ability to choose how their information was processed and used.
Every patient should be able to exercise control over the use of their confidential health information, so the NHS Digital data incident represents a significant breach of patients’ data protection rights. It is for this reason that many patients affected by the incident could be eligible to claim compensation, and we are working on behalf of victims on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We began to offer advice to potential claimants soon after the breach was reported, and we will continue to help as many victims as we can. However, given that three years have passed, claims may be different for anyone only just bringing one now, and further dates can prevent more victims from making a claim. As we often say, it is important that you seek advice as soon as possible if you were affected.
Spire Healthcare court case leads to fine
The Spire Healthcare court case has now come to a conclusion after the group was reportedly told to pay a total of £20,104.36, £5,000 of which was a fine, according to Leeds Live. The Care Quality Commission, which is understood to have never taken an independent healthcare provider to court before, pursued Spire Healthcare with legal action over allegations that the provider had allegedly delayed telling patients that they had been subjected to potentially negligent care.
The court case was not related to the medical negligence itself, but the case did concern Spire Healthcare’s reported failure to act upon the failings in patient treatment carried out by Michael Walsh, a former surgeon at the company.
As specialists in medical negligence, it always triggers alarm bells for us when we hear that negligent treatment may have been covered up or played down. Healthcare organisations have a duty to thoroughly scrutinise any suspicions of malpractice, or they could be responsible for letting patients down and putting them at risk. We are pleased to see that the Care Quality Commission has taken successful legal action in this case.
Group Action Lawsuit in the UK
A group action lawsuit in the UK usually involves collating multiple similar claims against a common Defendant(s) to fight for justice in one lawsuit.
When all claimants join the same group action, it can increase the efficiency of the legal battle and can also strengthen the force which lawyers can oppose the Defendant with.
At The Group Action Lawyers, we are pioneers of group action lawsuits in the UK, having represented thousands of claimants in dozens of group and multi-party claims. From huge actions against medical manufacturers, to our ground-breaking work in the emissions lawsuits against carmakers, our experience stretches far and wide. We are here to help anyone who thinks their consumer rights may have been violated, as we aim to hold both large corporations and local organisations to account for their abuse of power.
Hundreds of victims of breast surgeon Ian Paterson yet to be identified
Disgraced breast surgeon Ian Paterson was imprisoned several years ago, having being found guilty on 17 counts of wounding with intent.
The criminal prosecution only scratched the surface of what may have been going on, with widespread beliefs that many more patients could have been harmed by Paterson. Recent reports have suggested that hundreds of Paterson’s patients have yet to be contacted, meaning that many more might be still in the dark about the mistreatment that they may have been exposed to.
Some victims have already been awarded compensation for the harm caused to them, but we suspect that many more may be entitled to claim. Paterson’s undeniable guilt has strengthened the legal action against him. We encourage any further victims to come forward for advice, even if the hospital has yet to contact you.
The difficulties of vaginal mesh removal
As stories of vaginal mesh complications continue to emerge, many of those who have suffered from the implants are seeking treatment to lessen or stop the pain and injuries they have faced. However, the difficulties of vaginal mesh removal can mean that some of the harmful consequences are, unfortunately, irreversible.
Vaginal mesh implants, used to treat things like urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, have been the subject of controversy for many years. While approved by the UK regulator, the MHRA, the issue of serious complications can be shocking, with many women speaking out about the complications that they have suffered. In response, we have taken on claims from many women affected by the implants, who we believe are eligible to claim compensation for the harm they have been caused.
Commissioner to champion people harmed by medicines or medical devices
In a huge win for anyone harmed by medicines or medical devices, the government has agreed to the appointment of an Independent Patients’ Commissioner. Their role will be to stand up for people who have fallen victim to the dangerous side-effects of certain medical products.
At The Group Action Lawyers, we have been raising the unheard voices of suffering patients for many years, taking on many clients in large group and multi-party actions against powerful medical companies and manufacturers. As such, we welcome the news of this new public service, which represents a significant step in the right direction for patients and overall safety.
Royal Derby Hospital gynaecologist investigation updated
Since the Royal Derby Hospital gynaecologist investigation was revealed, the Group Action Lawyers has anticipated news of further women being added to the list of affected patients.
In December 2020, 110 more women were reportedly informed of their involvement in the inquiry so our suspicions have, unfortunately, been confirmed.
The allegations surrounding obstetrics and gynaecology consultant Daniel Hay first came to light amid a statement from the Royal Derby Hospital which revealed that eight women had been “unnecessarily harmed” by the doctor. At that point, the hospital had contacted 136 women regarding a review of their treatment, with fears that the number of patients harmed may rise. Now, the number of patients involved in the investigation stands at 382.