If you've suffered due to a medication error, you could make a compensation claim
When we go to a medical professional for help, we put a lot of faith in them to appropriately determine our care. Sometimes this can go wrong. We know how unfair and frustrating this can feel, as well as causing you physical harm.
Unfortunately, inaccurate or incomplete medication for an injury or illness can cause your condition to get worse. It can have psychological as well as physical effects and, in severe cases, medication errors can even be fatal.
If you or a loved one has suffered because of a medication error, either by NHS or private care, then you could make a medical negligence claim. You can speak to us for free, impartial advice on , or fill in our secure online form to arrange a call back.
We'll never rush or pressure you into going ahead with a case - we give you the support you need and can let you know whether you can claim.
What counts as a medication error?
A medication error can mean that you received medication that made your condition worse, rather than better.
You may have been supplied with the wrong type of medication to administer to yourself, or have been given incorrect medication by a healthcare professional.
Some examples of medication errors might include:
- Being given the wrong type of medication for your condition
- Receiving an accidental overdose
- Being prescribed medication that affects another previously diagnosed condition
- Combining medications that shouldn't be taken at the same time
- Giving medication to a patient who is allergic
- Being given medication at the wrong time
If you're feeling unsure whether you could make a compensation claim, you can speak to us for free on . We'll be happy to answer your questions, and can help you understand whether you can claim.
Medications errors in care homes
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of medication errors. Unfortunately, the impacts on their health are usually more severe.
Care homes should have procedures in place to avoid medication errors, and to take action quickly if they do happen.
If these procedures aren't followed, or if a care home makes a mistake when giving out medication, then the consequences can be very serious.
Claiming won't stop other people getting the care they need
Whether the medical negligence you experienced has occurred because of an NHS or private doctor, you can still claim without worrying that it will affect anyone else's care.
Both the NHS and private healthcare organisations are insured for these types of mistakes, and medical negligence claims are dealt with through their insurers, not the individual healthcare professional who may be at fault.
It's also important to remember that making a medical negligence claim can help to highlight safety issues so that changes are made; this could stop other people being injured in the same way.
How to find out whether you can make a claim
If you've suffered a preventable mental or physical injury due to medical negligence within the past 3 years, there's good reason to believe that you may be able to make a claim.
Medical staff have a ‘duty of care' to treat you without causing any further injury or unnecessary harm. If they've failed to provide you with the correct medication or dosage and it's made your condition worse, then it's likely we can help.
We can also help you make a claim on behalf of a loved one. Children have within three years of their 18th birthday to start a case.
You can talk to us to find out whether you have a claim either on or via our online claim form. All our advisors are legally trained, and they'll be able to give you the advice you need, without any pressure to take the next steps.