Today, people are likely to have more contact with medical professionals than ever before, regularly undergoing tests and procedures for a wide range of illnesses and injuries.

Unfortunately, there are times when this results in a poor outcome for the patient. Often there is no-one to blame for this, as every medical procedure carries risks which your health professional should warn you about before you agree to the treatment. Sometimes an outcome is completely unexpected by both the health professional and the patient, so it is not possible to be warned in advance.

However, on relatively rare occasions, the poor outcome is the result of substandard treatment, lack of expertise, or a failure to warn the patient properly. If this has happened to you, it may amount to medical negligence, and you may be able to take legal action against the health professional for compensation for any loss or damage that you have suffered as a result.

If you wish to explore this option further, you will need to consult a specialist legal practitioner experienced in medico-legal matters. Usually, you have three years from the date of the negligent act to commence legal proceedings. This time limit can be extended in some circumstances, particularly if the effects of the procedure do not become apparent for some time, such as injuries sustained by a child at birth.

It is often difficult to talk about these matters, as most people would prefer to keep their medical details private. Be assured that all conversations with a legal practitioner are confidential, and we have both female and male lawyers available, some of whom also have a medical background.

If you believe that you have suffered loss as the result of negligent medical treatment by a health professional, please contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our medico-legal specialist lawyers to discuss your situation.