Lawford Kidd's Blog

A number of cases of compensation being awarded to patients who were the victims of medical negligence have been reported in the media recently.

One such case involved a teenage girl who has permanent nerve damage in her shoulder as a result of medical errors when she was born.

Courtney Webb was born at Liverpool Women’s Hospital in October 1999 but during labour her shoulders became stuck, reports the Liverpool Echo. At that point, a caesarean section would normally have been carried out, but medical staff instead decided to proceed with a natural birth.

Medical negligence is a very serious but all too common issue in the UK. Over the last four years, almost 1200 serious events have taken place in hospitals in England.

An all-new Private Members’ Bill – namely The Negligence and Damages Bill - published by Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, is calling England & Wales to follow Scotland by introducing ‘greater fairness’ for bereaved people and victims of psychiatric harm.

It passed, the Bill will extend firstly, the statutory list of relationships in which there is a close tie of love and affection and secondly, the list of family members who should be eligible for bereavement damages. New additions will include civil partners and children over the age of 18.

Helping medical professionals across the United Kingdom avoid the risk of needle-stick injuries is very much the focus of a new drive by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Needle- stick injuries are those caused when, during a medical procedure, a needle accidentally punctures the patient's skin.

Non-profit organisation, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) believes a change in attitude of National Health Service (NHS) bosses towards compensation claims for medical negligence, would help address Government concerns about the cost the associated litigation.

According to APIL, should the NHS choose to take a more 'professional and efficient approach' to dealing with compensation claims, then major savings could be achieved.