Tag: medical negligence
Eye injury group action claims for compensation
Eye injury group action cases can mean representing some of the most seriously injured people there can be when this vital sense is harmed or adversely affected by a problem.
We have, and still do, represent people claiming in group/multi-party cases for eye injury claims. If you need advice about an ongoing action, or about a potential new action, we are always happy to hear from you.
You can speak to the team for free, no-obligation advice here now.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thousands could make Essure compensation claims
If you have suffered as a result of complications arising from the use of Essure, perhaps leading to the removal of the device or a recommendation by your doctor to have Essure removed, you could be one of the many eligible to make Essure compensation claims with the Group Action Lawyers.
Essure is a form of permanent birth control that is usually fitted whilst a patient is awake. It is then designed to sterilise the recipient and was manufactured by Bayer HealthCare in the United States but has been fitted in women across the globe.
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.
Rise in anti-depressants prescriptions for children
The reported rise of anti-depressants prescriptions for children could be a cause for concern, particularly when the use of anti-depressants is not generally recommended by the NHS for under 18’s.
Recent figures reportedly show over 1,500 children under the age of 5 were prescribed anti-depressants, with the numbers reaching over 91,000 for 16-year olds.
Any recent reported rise in anti-depressants prescriptions for children could be partially attributed to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March. Many people, children included, have struggled to receive professional mental health services as the waiting times are so long. With the NHS staff under further pressure to cope during the pandemic, many surgeries and treatments have seen pauses and delays as resources are directed elsewhere.
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.
Gosport hospital deaths could have been avoided
According to an independent report, 450 Gosport hospital deaths could have been avoided after life-shortening opioids were reportedly given to elderly patients who did not need them.
The damning report found that a GP working at the hospital, Dr Jane Barton, routinely overprescribed drugs to patients in the 1990s, and consultants who were aware of her actions did not intervene. Further, nurses and pharmacists would have known that the high levels of opioids administered would not always have been appropriate, and they too failed to stop the deaths.
After years of the families campaigning and suffering over the Gosport hospital deaths, the report has finally confirmed what they already knew.