Tag: investigations
French emissions investigations expand to Fiat Chrysler
The French emissions investigations have been ongoing for some time, having their beginnings in the 2015 Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal, in which the carmaker was found guilty of using illegal defeat devices as a means of cheating emissions tests. Now, following charges against a number of other manufacturers across the globe, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Italy has been added to the list of carmakers under the scrutiny of investigators.
Owned by Stellantis, FCA Italy is suspected of alleged consumer fraud in respect of diesel vehicles being sold in France. The allegations against the brand reflect a trend, as many well-known carmakers have been accused of allegedly misleading customers regarding their compliance with emissions regulations. As things stand, carmakers are strenuously denying that they have done anything wrong.
The legal cases here in the UK are still gradually progressing, but we are investigating several carmakers over alleged breaches of consumer law, including Fiat. If you have recently owned or leased a diesel vehicle produced by one of the suspected manufacturers, you can check your eligibility for a compensation claim with us today.
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.
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.
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.
Nissan and Renault emissions claims
Nissan and Renault, two manufacturers in the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance, are among the numerous manufacturers to have been implicated in the ongoing car emissions scandals, which has its origins in the Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal of 2015. If it emerges that these manufacturers did cheat emissions tests, victims may be eligible to make Nissan and Renault emissions claims.
The emissions scandals may have caused untold damage to human health and to the environment due to the alleged excessive production of toxic emissions. Further, if allegations are proven to be true, customers may have been mis-sold their vehicles on false pretences, and they deserve some form of justice.
We encourage anyone who has owned or leased a potentially affected model to come forward, because we think it may emerge that their consumer rights have been breached based on the allegations made so far.
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.
People’s Energy data breach – compensation advice
The People’s Energy data breach is one the latest large-scale breach cases to reach the headlines, reportedly affecting all 270,000 customers who entrusted their personal details to the company.
Among the details exposed were full names, dates of birth, addresses, and phone numbers, as well as the customer-specific tariff and energy meter IDs for some. Furthermore, the breach has adversely impacted small business customers of the energy provider, whose financial details were also understood to have been accessed in the hack.
Although the computer systems involved in the breach were shut down as soon as the problem became apparent, the small window of opportunity may have been enough for the hackers to obtain details that could serve as powerful tools in data misuse. We have taken cases forward, and we may be able to help you too if you are based in England or Wales.
Basildon University Hospital maternity unit rated ‘inadequate’.
Basildon University Hospital maternity unit, once rated ‘outstanding’, has been rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC launched an investigation into the unit after concerns were raised by an anonymous whistle-blower about patient treatment and general safety at the unit.
We know how bad it can be for anyone that has been the victim of medical negligence, but this is a different kind of story entirely. When it comes to something as serious as this, no legal case or punishment issued could ever turn back the clock and undo the damage that has been done.
Royal Derby Hospital gynaecologist malpractice compensation claims
The specialist team at the Group Action Lawyers is able to assist anyone affected by the Royal Derby Hospital gynaecologist malpractice allegations.
If you have been affected by the consultant, or contacted by the NHS Trust to inform you require further care or investigation, you could be entitled to claim medical negligence compensation.
We have a great deal of experience in the complex area of medical negligence and we want to help anyone affected by these issues to get the justice that they deserve. We have a great deal of experience and specialism in large-scale medical matters as well, having recovered millions of pounds for clients over a number of years.
Greater Manchester Police data breach could lead to Group Action
The recently revealed Greater Manchester Police data breach that may have affected thousands of victims of serious crime could lead to a Group Action Compensation Case.
The serious data leak, revealed in an exclusive story from ManchesterMill.Co.Uk, is based on information sourced from an anonymous whistleblower. According to the reports, a test database was accessible online without a password on the website for a third-party IT contractor.
It is unknown if the database was accessed, but the information involved in the incident is understood to have included the names and addresses for victims of serious crime. It is also understood to have included information for witnesses and informants.
Mercedes emissions compensation claims
We are taking forward Mercedes emissions compensation claims in the same way that we have represented thousands for cases against Volkswagen, Porsche and Jaguar.
When we first took action against VW for their huge emissions scandal back in 2015, we strongly suspected that they would not be the only manufacturer to be investigated. Since then, other vehicle makers have been involved with legal actions and have initiated recalls around the world over emissions irregularities.
As we suspected, the VW scandal was the tip of the iceberg.
We are taking claims forward for Mercedes (Daimler) owners whose vehicles have been subject to recalls. We can represent clients on a No Win, No Fee basis for claims.
Raindrop near vision inlay recall
The Raindrop Near Vision Inlay recall has been initiated due to an increased risk of corneal haze that patients implanted with the devices may experience.
A Medical Device Alert was issued via the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) a few weeks ago. There’s a warning to not implant Raindrop Near Vision Inlays and to dispose of any unused stock of them.
Any patients who have already been implanted with the inlays are to be monitored, and any incidents and problems are to be reported. This recall follows the recent news coverage about the Oculentis recall, which is one of the compensation actions we’re representing people for.