Whenever we are admitted to hospital, we expect that doctors and nurses will care for us for as long as necessary before discharging us. This means, as much as possible, health professionals must eliminate any risk of their patient’s condition worsening after they are sent home from hospital.
However, a premature discharge from hospital could cause severe consequences for your health and, in some cases, it could amount to medical negligence. If a doctor has not ensured that you are absolutely ready to leave hospital, and your health has been adversely affected, you may have a compensation claim to make.
As specialists in medical negligence claims, we have sadly encountered countless cases of patients being let down by health professionals. Besides their pain and worsened health, many of our clients have also felt betrayed by those who were supposed to protect them. However, by making a compensation claim, you can fight to achieve some form of justice for any harm caused.
Examples of incorrect or premature hospital discharge
When a doctor breaches their duty of care to you, the effects on your health can be extremely harmful, and may also affect you in the long term. While hospital discharge may seem like a relatively straightforward step to take, there can be many procedures to follow to make sure there is no adverse impact on a patient’s health.
For example, there will often be tests and checks that are required before you are discharged from hospital. This could be for any number of things such as blood tests, checks on your mobility, ensuring you have the right equipment or medication to leave with, or a simple consultation with a doctor. Usually, a senior doctor on that ward may need to sign you off before you can be sent home from hospital, even if a less senior member of staff deems you fit for discharge.
In terms of the consequences of incorrect or premature discharge, your illness or problems could be prolonged. You could also be exposed to other risks, or you could suffer from more long-term complications.
Claiming compensation for being wrongly sent home from hospital
Those who have been wrongly sent home from hospital could be eligible to claim compensation for a number of reasons. For example, a negligent decision to discharge you may have arisen from an incorrect diagnosis, a failure to diagnose, or an incorrect course of treatment being administered.
In terms of compensation pay-outs, you could be eligible to claim General Damages for the injury or health complications that may have been caused as a result of you being wrongly sent home from hospital. In addition, Special Damages could also cover any financial losses or expenses incurred as a result of the medical negligence. For example, if you have had additional medication or treatment costs, or if you have lost earnings due to prolonged time off work, you could be compensated for such costs and expenses.
Make your claim today
Our specialist medical negligence team has supported many claimants to recover compensation over many years. We know how difficult it can be to endure unwarranted medical complications, which is why we have streamlined our claims process to ensure that all our clients have a stress-free experience.
You can contact to our team today to receive free, no-obligation advice on your potential claim. For many eligible claimants, we can offer No Win, No Fee representation, so do not hesitate to come to us with any questions you may have.
