Never Event claims
Never Events should not occur if medical professionals are following appropriate patient safety guidelines. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case, and sometimes serious events can happen to a patient that could have been avoided.
If you or your loved one have experienced a Never Event while receiving medical treatment, you may be eligible to bring a claim. Call our Never Event solicitors free on 0808 164 0808, or request a call back and we will call you.
What is a Never Event?
According to the NHS, Never Events in healthcare are defined as “serious incidents that are entirely preventable because guidance or safety recommendations providing strong systemic protective barriers are available at a national level, and should have been implemented by all healthcare providers” (NHS).
The fact that these events are avoidable can make them cause emotional upheaval and unnecessary stress to any patients who may experience them. We understand how this may feel, which is why we try and do our utmost to help patients who turn to us for legal advice. We provide transparency throughout all clinical negligence claims, and Never Events compensation claims are no exception.
Types of Never Event
Below we’ve listed some of the common types of Never Event:
- Wrong site errors during surgery
- Scalding patients with heated surgical equipment
- Retained foreign objects post-surgery
- Misplacing of gastric tubes
- Administering incorrect insulin doses
- Use of incorrect implants/prosthetics
- Overdose of methotrexate for cancer treatment
- Administering medication incorrectly (i.e via an incorrect route)
- Incorrect administration of midazolam during sedation
How do I know if a Never Event has happened?
If a Never Event occurs during a patient’s treatment, they or their carers or loved ones should be told. The healthcare provider can notify about the Never Event either face-to-face, or by phone call or written letter.
However, if you suspect that you or your loved one have experienced a Never Event, but have not been properly notified, you may still be eligible to claim for Never Event compensation.
How our Never Event solicitors can help
Often, a patient who has suffered a Never Event will face a longer recovery period, which can have an impact on their life in different ways. There’s the physical and mental impact, but also the financial impact. Our team of Never Event solicitors will work with you throughout your claim to make sure you have the support you need throughout your recovery, and ongoing should you require it.
We also know how important it is for victims of clinical negligence to receive an apology for all the harm caused. Our team will give you the appropriate legal advice and guidance should you choose to instruct us, and will work to achieve the best possible outcome.
Disclaimer
In general you have three years from the date of injury or reasonable knowledge of mistreatment by a healthcare professional causing you harm to bring a compensation claim. There are some exceptions to this rule for instance where the matter involves a child in which case the child has three years from the date of their 18th birthday to bring a claim, therefore expiring on the individual’s 21st birthday.
It is important to speak to a legal team as early as possible to avoid any issues with limitation dates.
