Medical negligence involving elderly people can be very severe and, in some cases, even fatal. While some incidents reach national news, many significant events involving elderly medical negligence don’t make the headlines. Discussions about the treatment of elderly people happen frequently in the media, and various public figures use their platform to raise awareness on this issue.
### Encouraging Elderly People to Speak Up
Problems with medical negligence can arise when elderly individuals can’t voice concerns about health issues. Many elderly people have complex medical histories, which might mean they miss out on necessary care. They shouldn’t have to accept substandard care due to their location or specific circumstances. Negligence commonly occurs in nursing homes and hospitals, with many care providers facing actions against them for failing to provide the required quality of medical care. Claims for medical negligence in care homes have been increasing in recent years. Medical negligence includes a range of poor treatments such as not providing necessary medication on time, not feeding them properly, or not assisting with basic needs like going to the toilet.
### Examples of Medical Negligence
Negligence is evident if an elderly person falls when it could have been prevented, suffers from malnutrition or dehydration, or isn’t properly bathed in a hospital or nursing home. If this happens to you or a loved one, it might be time to consider legal action. Other examples include unsupervised patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia. As life expectancy rises, so will the number of medical negligence cases.
### More Examples of Poor Treatment
Medical negligence can also include GPs failing to make accurate diagnoses or referrals. If staff at a nursing home don’t seek medical help when needed, that’s medical negligence. Inadequate risk assessments, unavailable facilities like bedpans, or lack of monitoring also fall under this category. Falls are common among elderly people, and you could make a claim if fractures aren’t diagnosed promptly following a fall. Poor medication decisions are another frequent reason for claims, such as being prescribed the wrong medication or medications that interact negatively with others.
### Act Quickly
If you need to discuss medical negligence with a legal professional, it’s wise to get recommendations or talk to a few different law firms to make an informed decision. Ensure the lawyer you choose has experience with similar cases. Elderly individuals often take longer to recover from trips, slips, and falls, and accidents can worsen existing issues. By addressing medical negligence, you can help prevent others from experiencing mistreatment. Act as soon as possible if you believe someone with a duty of care has mistreated an elderly person.
### Improving Communication
One way to minimize the need for medical negligence claims is by ensuring the highest quality of communication between doctors and care providers. Elderly individuals should feel welcomed to express concerns about their treatment. Abuse is another common problem in hospitals and care homes, with around 1 in 25 elderly people experiencing negligence or abuse. This abuse can include threats, physical harm, exploitation, or verbal abuse. When elderly people lose some of their senses, they may become more susceptible to abuse or negligence. Many reputable law firms can assist if you or a loved one has experienced medical negligence.
### Choosing the Right Law Firm
It’s crucial to work with a reputable law firm to get the best legal representation. The firm should fight diligently to secure the best possible outcome and help gather ample evidence to support your case. It’s important for elderly people and their families to achieve justice and compensation after experiencing medical negligence. Always report abuse and neglect to the police. Medical negligence isn’t confined to nursing homes and hospitals; it can also happen at home. Family members have also been prosecuted for failing to provide the necessary care to their elderly relatives. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation, so reach out to experienced medical negligence solicitors.
### Ensuring Experience
Make sure that the medical negligence lawyers you choose have sufficient experience with neglect and abuse claims. Neglect can result in broken bones, falls, pressure sores, malnutrition, and even death. Despite the general good reputation of most care homes and hospitals, issues of abuse and neglect among the elderly remain prevalent in the UK. The topic has received significant attention in recent years, with high-profile documentaries highlighting the severe extent of abuse and neglect. Elderly people must have the opportunity to speak out about abuse. If you suspect a loved one is being mistreated, encourage them to share their experience so you can take appropriate legal action.
If you or someone you know has suffered from medical negligence, personal injury solicitors can provide specialized advice and guide you through the claim process. Contact an experienced medical negligence solicitor for immediate advice.