How to choose the right lawyer for medical misdiagnosis claim?

debeast

I'm not sure this is the right sub board but perhaps someone may move it if it isn't?

Does anyone have any insight into how to choose the right lawyer for medical misdiagnosis claim? I feel that my wife has died due to the hospitals fault.

Thank you

/beastie

madbadrob

I dont think you can but I would look for one that as a no win no fee policy where possible. At the end of the day any solicitor that you feel comfortable with should be the one you use

Rob

Savvy_Sue

I'm sorry for your loss, and agree with Rob.

troubleinparadise

Dear Beastie,

I am sorry for your loss, and the sad and difficult situation you find yourself in.

My OH had a consultation with a solicitor from a local (to us) law firm who herself specialised in medical negligence claims.

This was really to explore whether there was a case worth pursuing before taking it further, given the stresses, time and costs involved, and what he was hoping to achieve from such an action.

There are companies who you can find on the internet who specialise in "no win, no fee" cases, sometimes specifically to do with a particular issue, such as asbestosis.

In our local hospital, I have seen adverts for local solicitors who will handle a medical case....

I would say though that you need to be able to sit down and talk, with paperwork etc, with a solicitor, so someone local to you would be easier unless there is someone who specialises in the area you are concerned with who might have more experience.

Best wishes.

Savvy_Sue

I think tip gives very good advice. And it would be worth contacting PALS at the hospital concerned and asking how you get details of your wife's medical records so that you can understand what happened. It might be worth keeping mention of legal action quiet at this stage, so that nothing goes missing.

troubleinparadise

Good point Savvy sue - and getting copies of those records can take weeks, so it is worth setting that in motion, especially given the time of year & staffing levels.

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/access-to-medical-or-health-records-of-someone-who-has-died.aspx

cabbage

My daughter's birth was mis handled in 1995 and we used a solicitor who came to an open day organised by a self help charity. It took 7 years but was successful in the end. If you want to the name of the solicitor, please pm me.

sleepless_saver

This link might help with finding a solicitor with the right expertise:
http://www.avma.org.uk/pages/find_a_solicitor-choosing_a_solicitor-414.html

edited to add - their website also has a lot of very useful information on your options, and things you would want to consider before instructing a solicitor.

John_Pierpoint

Solicitors do not have any particular magic, their work is 95% perspiration and only 5% inspiration.

What evidence have you so far, that there was medical negligence involved?

Don't misunderstand me, I was in a situation of possible misdiagnosis and by comparing the GPs records with those of the Hospital, I was able to demonstrate that the GP had understood the situation and the hospital doctors had jumped to a (wrong) conclusion, by not bothering to read the GP's letter and then dredge back into the hospital's own records. But until I had got to that position I don't think I would have risked running up a legal bill on a long shot, alternatively I would resent paying a big chunk of any settlement to someone who stumbled upon such an open and shut case.

Attending both locations, following up something that "did not seen quite right" took up two days of my life after months of delays, how much would that cost if taxes and office overheads at legal rates were added onto the bill ?.

Errata

Irwin Mitchell are very experienced in medical negligence and have a well deserved national reputation.
http://www.irwinmitchell.com/personal/medical-negligence

debeast

Thank you to everyone that replied. I couldn't face coming back on here till now its all too new and raw still.

It just feels wrong to me and i think there is enough evidence to say they were wrong but definately need to sit down with a lawyer.

Not sure how the no win no fee's actually get there money . Do they take a % of payout?

Thansk

/beastie