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This article was published on May 9th, 2022
With medical negligence cases on the rise, there is plenty of information about the physical effects that medical negligence can have on an individual. Yet, there is evidence to suggest that victims of medical negligence can suffer from a wide range of psychological impacts too. This blog will outline what medical negligence is, the potential psychological effects and how we can help.
Firstly, it is important to keep in mind that just because a treatment has gone wrong, it does not necessarily mean that your medical professional has been negligent. If a routine procedure goes wrong or your illness worsens, it may not necessarily be considered medical negligence.
Medical negligence is defined as unacceptable medical treatment which has caused unnecessary illness, injury or death. There are many examples including; delayed or misdiagnosis of cancer, cosmetic surgery claims, dental negligence, nursing care negligence and surgical negligence.
Unfortunately, following an instance of medical negligence, many people feel anger and frustration towards medical professionals, because they put their trust in them and were let down. However, the psychological effects can be far more than the initial anger and frustration. The psychological effects include:
Victims of medical negligence can often feel anger and resentment towards the professional that provided them with inadequate treatment. When an individual has been the victim of a sudden injury or preventable illness it is common for them to feel a sense of injustice.
Victims of medical negligence can often end up blaming themselves for the incident even though it was the professional who was at fault. The self-blame and regret may also make it harder for them to move on from the negligence even after a successful compensation claim.
In more severe cases of medical negligence where the victim has been severely distressed, it is not uncommon for them to experience PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). This is an anxiety disorder caused by a stressful or traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD include feelings of detachment and estrangement, distressing memories, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, anxiety and hyperalertness.
The emotional trauma that is often experienced after medical negligence can be difficult and frustrating but there are resources to make it easier. Here at Thorneycroft, we work closely with a range of charities and organisations both during the claim process as well as after a settlement has been achieved, to ensure that each client secures the care and support they need to allow them to have the best quality of life for both themselves and their loved ones.
Pursuing a medical negligence claim can sometimes be a complex process which is why it is so important to find a solicitor that specialises in this area. Too many firms add clinical negligence into their general portfolio of personal injury practitioners without having clinical negligence solicitors.
We have a specialist staff at Thorneycroft Solicitors who are solely focused on this area. We work with the most knowledgeable medical specialists, involving them in the claim from the beginning to provide advice and guidance.
We pride ourselves on our professional but sympathetic approach to advising you through each step of the process, from initial counsel to possible treatment if required.
If you have been a victim of medical negligence, get in touch today by calling 0800 1979345 or by filling out our simple enquiry form.
