This article explores when it could be helpful to use a medical negligence calculator to estimate how much you could be awarded in compensation. Additionally, it will explore when you could be eligible to make a medical negligence claim. There are several criteria your claim must meet in order to be valid. We will discuss these in more detail throughout our guide.
Can I Use A Medical Negligence Calculator?
Furthermore, we will look at what medical negligence is, how it could occur, and the different types of harm that could be sustained as a result.
We will also discuss how a No Win No Fee solicitor may be able to help with your potential claim.
Read on to learn more. Alternatively, if you have questions about your potential claim, you can contact our advisers 24/7. Get in touch by:
- Calling 0113 460 1216
- Speaking to an advisor via the onscreen chat box
- Requesting a call back by completing our online contact form.
Choose A Section
- A Guide To Using A Medical Negligence Calculator
- Medical Negligence Calculator – How Do I Use One?
- What Types Of Medical Negligence Could I Claim For?
- Potential Evidence That Could Be Used In A Medical Negligence Claim
- What Could I Receive From A Claim For Medical Negligence?
- Why Make A Medical Negligence Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More About Claiming For Medical Negligence
A Guide To Using A Medical Negligence Calculator
A medical negligence calculator is a fast, easy method of determining how much compensation you could receive following an incident of medical negligence.
Medical professionals owe a duty of care to their patients. As part of this duty, they are responsible for providing the correct standard of care. If they fail to provide care that meets the correct standard and a patient is caused avoidable harm as a result, this is known as medical negligence.
In these instances, you may be able to seek compensation for the harm sustained due to medical negligence. Many considerations will be given when valuing how much you’re owed, such as the severity of the harm and the type of harm sustained.
Below, we have provided guidance on how you can use a compensation calculator. Read on to learn more. Alternatively, contact our advisers for more information on when you could be eligible to claim. They have a great deal of knowledge about various topics, such as how to claim for birth injury compensation, cerebral palsy compensation claims, and more.
Medical Negligence Calculator – How Do I Use One?
When using a medical negligence calculator in order to assess how much compensation you could receive, you may be asked to input the following information:
- Where the incident took place
- The type of harm you experienced, such as mental or physical
- The relevant body part
- The severity of the harm
- Whether you experienced multiple types of harm
- Whether you lost income
- Who was at fault for the harm that occurred
By using a compensation calculator, you could get an idea of the compensation you might receive. This free valuation will be sent to the contact details you input.
Contact our advisers for further information about claiming compensation after unnecessary medical treatment, medical negligence at birth, or other types of harm sustained due to medical negligence.
What Types Of Medical Negligence Could I Claim For?
If a medical professional does not provide a patient with the correct level of care, this could lead to a patient sustaining harm that could have been avoided. There are many different ways this could occur, such as:
- Medication errors: For example, a doctor may prescribe you the wrong dosage of medication, giving you a dosage that is too high. This could cause you to experience symptoms of an overdose.
- Maternity negligence: For example, you may have experienced a perforated bowel in a C-section gone wrong due to the surgeon cutting too deeply.
- Never events: For example, a surgeon may have amputated the wrong limb.
- Medical misdiagnosis: For example, a GP may have failed to correctly diagnose you despite you exhibiting clear signs of a specific condition.
It’s important to note, not all instances of harm sustained in a medical setting will form the basis of a valid claim. In order to make a valid medical negligence claim, you will need to prove the medical practitioner breached their duty of care and caused you unnecessary harm as a result.
If you aren’t certain whether medical negligence played a role in the harm you sustained, ask these questions:
- Did a medical professional owe you a duty of care?
- Was this duty breached?
- Did you sustain mental or physical harm that could have been avoided if the correct level of care had been provided to you?
To learn more about whether you could be eligible to seek compensation, get in touch using the number above.
Potential Evidence That Could Be Used In A Medical Negligence Claim
To make a successful claim, you must be able to show that medical negligence occurred. To do so, you can:
- Keep a diary of your treatment and symptoms.
- Request a copy of your medical records. This can help illustrate the nature of the harm you suffered.
- Keep prescriptions.
You must also begin your claim within the time limits set out in the Limitation Act 1980. These include:
- Within 3 years of the date the incident occurred
- Within 3 years of the date you became aware the harm was caused by medical negligence.
These limits may be suspended in certain situations, such as when the harmed party is a child or an adult without the mental capacity to claim. Speak to our advisers about these time-limit suspensions.
What Could I Receive From A Claim For Medical Negligence?
Compensation payouts for medical negligence may include up to two heads of claim. The first is called general damages, which are intended to provide compensation for the pain you experienced due to the incident of medical negligence.
We have provided a table showing guideline compensation brackets from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document that many solicitors refer to when assessing the general damages portion of claims.
These figures are intended only as guidelines, as your compensation may vary according to your exact circumstances.
| Type of Harm | Compensation Brackets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bowels (a) | Up to £184,200 | This bracket includes cases of a complete loss of natural bowel function alongside a complete loss of urinary control and function with other medical complications. |
| Bowels (c) | In the region of £79,920 | Passive incontinence and faecal urgency persisting after surgery and causing embarrassment and stress. |
| Kidney (a) | £169,400 to £210,400 | Cases where both kidneys are either lost or seriously and permanently damaged. |
| Kidney (b) | Up to £63,980 | Significant risk of future urinary tract infection or other total loss of natural kidney function. |
| Bladder (b) | Up to £140,660 | There is a complete loss of control and function. |
| Bladder (c) | £97,980 to £132,990 | Control is seriously impaired and there is some pain and incontinence. |
| Male Reproductive System (a) | In excess of £153,870 | Cases where reproductive organs have been completely lost. |
| Female Reproductive System (a) | £114,900 to £170,280 | Infertility through injury or disease causing several issues such as, severe depression, sexual dysfunction, and scarring. |
| Spleen (a) | £20,800 to £26,290 | The spleen is lost and there is an ongoing risk of internal infection and other disorders as a result of a damaged immune system. |
| Spleen (b) | £4,350 to £8,640 | The risks in more serious cases of the spleen are not present or are minimal. |
As an alternative, you can use a medical negligence calculator to help you get an estimate of how much you could receive.
When Can I Receive Special Damages Compensation?
You may also be able to claim special damages. This is the second head of claim intended to help you recoup financial losses incurred because of the incident of medical negligence. For example, they may help you recover:
- Lost earnings, past and future
- The cost of medications and specialist consultations
- The cost of modifications to your home
You should produce evidence of these financial losses, so keeping receipts and financial records is a good idea. Speak to our advisers to learn more.
Why Make A Medical Negligence Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
The No Win No Fee solicitors on our panel may be able to offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee agreement. Hiring a solicitor under these terms means that you generally do not have to pay fees for their services if your claim fails. Similarly, you usually don’t have to pay fees for their services upfront to begin a claim or during the claims process itself.
Instead, your solicitor will take a success fee from your compensation at the end of the process, if your claim is successful. This fee is capped by law, meaning that the solicitor cannot take more than a certain amount.
Contact Us Today To See If You Can Make A Medical Negligence Claim
If you have further questions about using a medical negligence calculator, you can contact our advisers. They have a lot of knowledge regarding compensation claims and may be able to offer legal insight into your circumstances. Reach us by:
- Calling 0113 460 1216
- Speaking to an advisor via the onscreen chat box
- Requesting a call back by completing our online contact form.
Learn More About Claiming For Medical Negligence
More guides about medical negligence:
- A Guide To Erb’s Palsy Claims
- Medication Errors – How Do I Report Them?
- Could I Claim Compensation For Prescription Errors?
Further links that may be of use:
- General Medical Council – Good Medical Practice
- NHS Resolution – Annual Report Statistics
- GOV – NHS Constitution For England
Thank you for reading this guide about how to use a medical negligence calculator. Contact us using the information below if you still have questions about your potential claim.
Writer Morgan Filly
Editor Meg McGloughlin
