Have You Been the Victim of Medical Negligence in Queensland?
Medical negligence usually originates in a hospital setting. Normally, this type of claim covers injuries that result from the negligence of a medical provider. This provider can be a doctor, nurse, or a specialist such as a therapist. The claim can also be directed at the hospital or medical facility where the injury occurred.
What You May Be Entitled to Receive
By contacting a legal representative who handles medical negligence claims, you can receive the compensation you deserve. A medical negligence lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation for the following damages:
- Loss of wages – past, present, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Medical treatment costs covering past, present, and future treatments
- Past, current, and future costs for care at home
- General out-of-pocket expenses
Making a Complaint in Queensland – Your Options
If you live in Queensland and believe you have a medical negligence claim, you are entitled to complain to the Queensland Health Care Complaints Commission. The agency will investigate the facts surrounding your claim. However, the Commission’s reward of damages is limited. As a result, the Commission’s investigatory role is much narrower than that of medical negligence lawyers.
How Medical Negligence Happens
Medical negligence can take the form of various incidents, ranging from a wrong diagnosis to a lack of reasonable care. In some instances, a patient is not advised about the risks associated with a procedure. In other cases, a medical practitioner may not sufficiently follow up on testing or post-operative care.
Medical Areas
The areas where medical negligence occurs are numerous and include the following:
- Gynaecology
- Neurology
- Obstetrics
- Urology
- Infectious disease
- Paediatrics
- General surgery
- Orthopaedics
- Nursing
- Psychiatry
- Emergency medicine
If you feel you are a victim of medical negligence, you need to consult a legal expert today if you want to make sure you receive an equitable settlement. That is because medical negligence can be difficult to prove. However, once you align yourself with a lawyer, he or she can gather the evidence needed to show that you did not receive proper care.
Keeping the Legal Costs in Check
You can feel better about taking your case to court, as medical negligence cases are no-win, no-fee type cases. Therefore, if medical negligence is not proven, you do not owe your lawyer a fee. The fee is only remitted if a settlement is reached. Therefore, for you to pay the legal costs involved in a medical negligence case, you must win the lawsuit.
Arrange a Free Consultation
If you feel you have a claim, speak to a lawyer about the process in the near future. All legal consultations are free. Again, do so now or as soon as possible. It takes several months for a lawyer to prepare this type of proceeding.
Also, you have three years to bring an action to court. If you can review the case with a lawyer now and gather the appropriate evidence, you can stay within the timeframe permitted for the complaint. Once all the evidence is gathered, the lawyer can strategize how to present your claim so you receive a fair settlement. By being well prepared, you will have a greater chance for success. Therefore, make preparation for the claim a priority.
