Orthopaedic Medical Negligence

Copyright (c) 2011 Julie Glynn

When people talk of orthopaedics, they are referring to the bones, muscles and joints of the human body. While many people are successfully treated for orthopaedic problems every year in the UK, we are unfortunately seeing more and more mistakes being made. Such medical errors can lead to serious complications for a patient, and often lead to successful medical negligence claims.

Orthopaedic Medical Negligence.

Medical negligence within the field of orthopaedics is becoming increasingly frequent. So widespread is it that claims against orthopaedic doctors are now two to three times more likely than any other type of medical negligence claim.

The reason for this sharp rise in orthopaedic negligence is probably due to the fact that orthopaedic surgery is becoming ever more complex, with complicated procedures becoming a typical form of treatment.

Furthermore, orthopaedics is an area of medicine which covers a wide range of issues, such as: diagnosing a broken limb, treating musculoskeletal trauma, and performing joint reconstruction or hip replacements. Therefore it is not uncommon to see cases in which injuries - particularly fractures - have been missed due to a GP or nurse lacking musculo-skeletal knowledge.

Common Types of Orthopaedic Medical Negligence Claims.

Orthopaedic medical negligence claims often arise due to a failure to diagnose, or because the treatment provided fell below an acceptable standard. Some of the most common types of orthopaedic negligence claims we have dealt with include:-

* Inaccurate or late diagnosis;

* Failure to order the correct tests;

* Misinterpretation of test results;

* Poor operative technique;

* Damage to nerves or circulation due to medical procedure;

* Inadequate cleaning and dressing of wounds;

* Infection;

* Poor outcome - eg. different in leg length following hip or knee operations, or function not returning to normal.

What Action Can You Take?

Orthopaedic negligence can result in a range of serious complications for a patient, sometimes causing extensive damage. This can mean that a patient is left with long-lasting problems, which in some cases is permanent. In turn, such negligence may cause a loss of earnings or dramatically affect your quality of life.

If you are unhappy with how your orthopaedic problem was handled by medical staff, you should contact a medical negligence solicitor to discuss your options. A solicitor will assess your case and decide whether or not you have a claim. If successful, you may be awarded compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the negligence, along with any costs for damages - this can include loss of earnings, as well as medical and travel expenses.


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