Mercy Hospital Medical Negligence Compensation Claim Solicitors
Medical negligence by doctors, nurses and technicians claims over 20,000 Australian lives every year. In addition to the fatalities there are over 50,000 serious injuries and over 100,000 clinical errors which cause minor injury. What is most surprising about these figures is the fact that only about 2,000 people instigate a medical negligence claim annually, many of whom discontinue their potential claim for compensation at an early stage. Mercy Hospital in Melbourne, Victoria usually provides a caring service for patients however there are times when things go wrong which may result in serious personal injury or death. Our medical negligence solicitors deal with personal injury compensation claims against Mercy Hospital using the no win no fee scheme. If you would like free advice without further obligation on compensation for personal injury against Mercy Hospital just use the helpline or send the contact for or email our offices. A solicitor will speak to you on the telephone and will advise both on liability and the amount of compensation you may expect to receive. There are time limits so you should act without delay.
Standard of Care
The law does not set down an absolute definition of the required standard of care upon which to base a negligence claim. Whether or not a doctor, nurse or technician has been negligent is determined by comparing the questionable treatment with that provided by a 'reasonably' competent healthcare practitioner who treats a patient with a similar illness in a similar location. The fact that treatment may fail, whereas other treatment may have succeeded does not necessarily imply negligence provided that the failed treatment was logical and was supported by a substantial body of medical opinion.
Compensation Awards
Damages payable in a Mercy Hospital medical negligence compensation claim include the following items :-
- pain & suffering
- disadvantage on the open labour market
- loss of lifestyle and congenial employment
- continuing medical expenses
- adapted transport & travel expenses
- adapted accommodation
- loss of past & future earnings including pension rights
- out of pocket expenses
- legal charges
- special care aids, prosthetics & equipment
- care and assistance including household chores
Time Limits
All personal injury compensation claims have time limits imposed on them. The reasons for this is because memories fade over time, witness die or relocate, documents are lost and computer recurs become corrupt in addition to the fact that people need to move on with the rest of their lives. Failure to take proper account of the time limits in personal injury litigation often means that the opportunity to claim compensation is lost forever. If you have been the victim of a clinical error and have suffered injury due to negligence you should seek advice from a qualified solicitor as soon as possible.