Monthly Archives: June 2013

Swanage Medical Negligence Solicitors

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Do you live in Swanage? Have you been the victim of a negligent medical professional? If you have suffered medical negligence and want to make a claim, you will need the expert advice of a specialist medical negligence solicitor to give yourself the best chances of winning the compensation you deserve. However, at the top of writing this blog there are no accredited specialist medical negligence solicitors working at any of the law firms in Swanage, so who can you turn to?

Our medical negligence solicitors are the accredited specialists you need and with offices in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset, we are there to help you.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INSTRUCTING A MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE SPECIALIST

To give you the best chance of being awarded the full amount of compensation you are entitled to, your chosen solicitor will need to have a good medical knowledge as well as complete familiarity with the laws relevant to medical negligence claims. The evidence used to support your cases will include complex medical issues and your solicitor will need experience and skill to understand and interpret your medical records and notes. Only a specialist medical negligence solicitors has these skills, which is why it is so important that you take the time to find a specialist.

HOW TO CHECK THAT YOUR SOLICITOR IS A SPECIALIST

Although many firms claim to have specialist medical solicitors, we have the accreditations to prove it. There are two key specialist legal panels in the field of medical negligence, and they are

o the Action against Medical Accidents Panel and

o the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel

Both panels, only have a few hundred members nationwide – out of over 100,000 solicitors. Not only are our solicitors members of both of these panels but our firm is one of just 120 out of 11,000 in England and Wales to be awarded the Law Society Specialist Quality Mark for Clinical Negligence. That’s why you can rest assured that our team have the expertise you need.

WHY CHOOSE US FOR YOUR MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIM?

Our solicitors are vastly experienced in a wide range of medical negligence claims – including;

o GP negligence

o surgical errors

o delayed diagnosis

o mistakes in A and E

o pregnancy and birth injury claims

o prescription errors

WHAT WE OFFER

o When you call our experts you will receive a FREE initial phone consultation and your first face to face meeting is also FREE

o We can visit you at home or in your hospital if you are unable to travel

o You needn’t worry about legal costs either because we can pursue your claim under a ‘no win no fee’ agreement

THINKING OF A MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIM? CONTACT US TODAY

If you’re thinking of making a claim for compensation following a medical error, you need to be aware that there are strict time limits. Contact our team today for FREE initial advice from specialist solicitors you can rely on.

  • Call [01202] 834450 or
  • Or email us using the form below.

    The role of a barrister in your medical negligence claim

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    In medical negligence compensation cases where a straightforward settlement is not obtainable a barrister with experience dealing with such cases will be required. Your solicitor will begin by sending a report detailing the conclusions and notes of any medical experts or other specialists who have been consulted on your case to counsel (the barrister).

    It is crucial that this barrister has experience dealing with medical negligence claims because you could lose out on compensation if your barrister handles your case poorly. Fortunately, our firm has established good professional relationships with suitable barristers who would be well suited to handling your medical negligence claim.

    Conferences with your barrister

    After reviewing the paperwork for your case you and your solicitor along with any medical expert and the barrister will have a conference (the organisation of which can be tricky) either in person or via video-calling. Here, your expert will be questioned and the barrister will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your claim and advise you accordingly on how to move forward. Having represented many victims of medical negligence in court before the barrister will be able to identify any parts of your claim which may be challenged by the other side and whether or not you have enough evidence.

    Experts

    In many cases the court will demand that the medical experts approached by both sides meet to compare notes on the case and reduce the issues to be ruled on if possible. With guidance from solicitors representing both sides, areas of agreement and disagreement will therefore be discovered. The medical experts will be tested on their evidence by the barrister and may need to alter their reports following the conference.

    Moving forward with your claim

    Having received your barrister’s opinion, your solicitor will be better placed to advise you on the likelihood of success for your claim. If you are found to have a strong claim with strong evidence, carrying your claim forward will be fairly straightforward. In some cases with weak evidence and a low value claim it will be advised that you drop your claim but in other cases with weak evidence and a strong claim you may simply be advised to push for a lower claim settlement.

    Settlement

    If you are in a position where the strength of your claim prevents the defendants from even contesting, your settlement will depend on negotiations between the two sides solicitors but you will be in a strong position. Where the other contests, your solicitor will want to know what evidence they have prior to opening negotiations. Your solicitor will tell you about any offers and ultimately when you settle and how much for will be your decision.

    Call our experts for more information about the role of a barrister in the compensation claims process

    If you are considering making a medical negligence compensation claim, it is crucial that you understand the role of a barrister in the claims process. For further information about the part they play, call one of our expert medical negligence solicitors – we’d be happy to help.

    Call 01722 422300,

    Or email us using the form below.