Medical Negligence Claims in Aberdeen

When Can You Claim?

Medical negligence claims in Aberdeen may be made for compensation if you have suffered harm because of substandard level of medical care. Medical professionals are expected to provide safe, effective treatment. But sometimes things can go wrong and you may have a legal right to seek compensation.

Medical negligence may include a missed diagnosis, incorrect medication or errors during surgery.

We work with solicitors based in Aberdeen who offer ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreements which means no upfront costs.

What Is Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence, happens when a doctor, nurse, dentist, or other medical provider provides care that falls below an acceptable standard. This failure to provide an acceptable standard directly causes harm to the patient.

The acceptable standard is regarded as what a reasonably competent professional in the same field would have done in similar circumstances.

Therefore medical negligence may include:

• A misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
• Mistakes during surgery or treatment
• Wrong medications or dosage
• Poor aftercare or lack of follow-up
• Failure to warn about risks of a procedure

In legal terms, to win a claim you must be able to show that:

1. The medical professional owed you a duty of care.
2. That duty of care was breached (Failure to reach an acceptable standard).
3. You were harmed because of that breach.

Examples of a Medical Negligence Claim?

It’s important to know that some medical treatments may not have a desired result – but may not necessarily be medical negligence. If the standard of care fell below the expected standard and so directly caused harm, you may be eligible for compensation.

Some examples include:

• A GP fails to diagnose cancer in time
• A surgeon leaves surgical tools inside your body
• A dentist extracts the wrong tooth
• A hospital gives the wrong medication or dosage
• A newborn is injured due to poor care during birth

Time Limits: How Long Do You Have to Claim?

In Scotland, the general time limit for medical negligence claims is 3 years from the date you became aware of the injury or negligence. However:

• For children, the 3-year period starts from their 16th birthday
• For people who lack mental capacity, there may be no time limit until capacity returns

If you’re unsure about the time limits, speak to a solicitor as soon as possible to protect your right to claim.

Top 5 Medical Conditions That Often Lead to Claims

While medical negligence can happen in any area of healthcare, certain types of conditions come up more often in legal claims. Here are the five most common reasons:

Birth Injuries

Mistakes during childbirth can have life-long consequences. Claims may often involve:

• Failure to monitor the baby’s heart rate
• Delays in performing a C-section
• Injuries caused by forceps or vacuum extraction
• Oxygen deprivation leading to cerebral palsy

These cases can involve the child, the mother, or both. If your child suffered a birth injury, we can help investigate and secure compensation for long-term care.

Cancer Misdiagnosis

Early detection of cancer is considered key for treatment success. If your cancer was:

• Misdiagnosed as another condition
• Diagnosed too late
• Not referred for specialist care quickly enough

You may be eligible to claim. Cancer misdiagnosis claims often involve breast, bowel, prostate, and skin cancer.

Surgical Errors

Mistakes during surgery may include:

• Operating on the wrong body part
• Leaving surgical equipment inside the patient
• Infections due to poor hygiene
• Damage to organs or nerves

If you’ve suffered after surgery, speak to our team today.

Medication Errors

Medication negligence includes:

• Prescribing the wrong drug or dosage
• Failing to consider allergies or drug interactions
• Administering drugs to the wrong patient

These mistakes can lead to severe reactions or long-term harm.

Delayed or Missed Diagnosis

Not all misdiagnoses involve cancer. Common missed or delayed diagnoses may include:

• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Infections like sepsis or meningitis
• Fractures or internal injuries

If a delay in diagnosing any of these conditions worsened your health, you may be eligible for compensation.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

The amount you can claim depends on:

• The severity of your injury
• Any financial losses (e.g. lost wages, travel costs)
• The cost of future treatment or care
• Impact on your quality of life

Get In Touch

Choosing the right solicitor is crucial. At First Personal Injury, we partner with Aberdeen based lawyers who are highly experienced in clinical negligence claims and who will thoroughly assess your case. They also offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangement to reduce your financial risk. This means you only pay fees if you win your case.

We work hard to gather medical records, expert reports, and evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Our friendly team at First Personal Injury can guide you through the process to get the compensation you deserve. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online for a free consultation.

This article provides general legal information and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.