Last Updated on May 2, 2025 by tanya

How To Claim Compensation For Insulin Overdose

 

The Risks, Red Flags, and Clinical Negligence Claims

 

Insulin is an essential medication for anyone with diabetes, but if you suspect negligence in a hospital or medical setting, you may want to find out about how to claim compensation for insulin overdose.

When insulin is misused, either accidently or negligently, there may be severe consequences which require urgent medical attention. Insulin overdoses, while preventable, can and do happen in medical facilities and hospitals. This may include from dosage miscalculation to systemic failures.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of insulin overdose, First Personal Injury may be able to help. We partner with lawyers experienced in medical negligence who can assess your case – at no cost to you.

 

What Happens With Too Much Insulin?

An insulin overdose occurs when a person is given more insulin than their body needs. This results in a severe drop in blood glucose levels known as hypoglycaemia. Insulin works by helping glucose enter cells from the bloodstream. Too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to plummet dangerously.

 

Typical Symptoms of Insulin Overdose Include:

 

• Sweating
• Shakiness or tremors
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness or confusion
• Irritability or mood changes
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Coma

 

An overdose can occur with any type of insulin, whether short-acting, long-acting, or intermediate. The seriousness of the outcome depends on the dose administered, the individual’s sensitivity to insulin, and how rapidly medical intervention is initiated.

In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.

 

Can an Insulin Overdose Happen in a Medical Setting?

While hospitals and private clinics are generally safe, controlled environments, they are not immune to human error or systemic failures. Insulin overdoses in clinical settings may typically fall into two categories:

 

Human Error

• Incorrect dosage: A nurse or doctor may miscalculate or misread a prescription.
• Wrong type of insulin: Administering fast-acting insulin instead of long-acting insulin (or vice versa).
• Double dosing: Multiple staff administering insulin without proper communication.
• Failure to monitor glucose levels: Not checking blood sugar before or after insulin administration.

 

Systemic Failures

• Poor training: Inadequately trained staff mismanaging insulin protocols.
• Lack of protocols: Hospitals failing to establish or enforce clear insulin administration guidelines.
• Electronic record errors: Issues with digital systems causing incorrect medication records or dosage instructions.

 

Both categories can result in significant patient harm and are preventable with appropriate care and oversight.

 

Red Flags: Recognising the Signs of Medical Error

While patients aren’t expected to monitor staff, awareness of red flags can make a difference. Warning signs that something may be wrong include:

 

• Inconsistencies in communication: Contradictory information from different staff members.
• No blood sugar monitoring: Insulin being given without checking blood glucose levels first.
• Unexplained symptoms: Sudden confusion, fainting, or seizures in someone who was stable previously.
• Unfamiliar medication or dosage: Receiving an insulin type or dose you were not prescribed.
• Refusal to answer questions: Staff being vague or defensive when asked about medication.

 

If these signs appear, it’s important to alert senior medical staff or ask for a second opinion. In emergencies, you should call for immediate intervention.

 

When Can You Start a Clinical Negligence Claim

If you or someone you care for has been harmed due to an insulin overdose in a hospital or private clinic, you may be entitled to file a clinical negligence claim. Clinical negligence arises when a healthcare professional fails to meet the standard of care expected. Also known as medical negligence, this failure results in harm to you or a loved one.

 

To bring a successful claim, you must prove:

 

Duty of Care: That the healthcare provider owed you a duty of care (this is usually straightforward in a clinical setting).

Breach of Duty: That the provider breached this duty through actions or omissions that no reasonable professional would have made.

Causation: That the breach directly caused you or your loved one  harm or injury.

Damages: That you or your loved one suffered physical, emotional, or financial losses due to the breach in duty.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the incident ot the date you became aware of the harm, to start a claim. Exceptions include children under 18 and for individuals who lack mental capacity.

 

How to Start a Clinical Negligence Claim

 

Seek Immediate Medical Help

If you suspect insulin overdose, ensure immediate medical attention is given. Record the incident and ask for a full copy of the patient’s notes and blood sugar logs.

 

Document Everything

Write down exactly what happened, including:

• Dates and times
• Staff involved
• Symptoms observed
• Conversations held

Also, keep records of any additional medical care required resulting from the overdose.

 

Consult a Solicitor

Reach out to a solicitor specialising in clinical negligence. A solicitor can help gather expert medical opinions, obtain records, and assess whether your claim meets the necessary legal thresholds.

 

What Compensation Can Cover

If your claim is successful, compensation typically may cover:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earnings
• Cost of ongoing care or therapy
• Travel costs related to medical appointments
• Adaptations to your home or lifestyle changes
• Psychological trauma

 

Next Steps

It is advisable to take action early on. This is because it becomes more difficult to gather the necessary evidence as time passes.

If you or a loved one have suffered from insulin overdose and are considering making a claim, contact First Personal Injury. We can guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve. We work with experienced lawyers who work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.