Blood clot negligence is when you suffer damage to your health due to a failure to diagnose or treat a blood clot.
When you present at the hospital, clinic, A&E or GP surgery, you expect the best of care. You do not expect medical negligence and to suffer the effects of a blood clot.
Recognising the symptoms of a blood clot or the potential of one must be high in every doctor’s mind.
When a patient in a vulnerable group shows symptoms of suffering a blood clot, immediate action is needed.
Blood clot negligence can lead to permanent paralysis, stroke, brain injury and even death in some cases. You should not suffer blood clot negligence and its effects if the doctor does their job properly.
A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will take your case and fight the compensation claim for blood clot negligence.
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What is a blood clot?
A blood clot is a semi-solid pocket of blood that forms in the veins or arteries. You can have a single blood clot or many of the gel-like particles form at a time.
In most instances, the blood clots will dissolve on their own and will not do any harm. The blood clots that do not clear are the dangerous ones and, if left untreated, do a lot of damage.
Blood clots can form anywhere in the body. In medical terms, a blood clot is known as a thrombus, and a blood clot that does not move is called a thrombosis.
When the thrombus or blood clot moves through the veins, it is termed an embolism. Embolisms are very dangerous as they can travel to the heart, lungs or the brain.
Knowing how to identify a blood clot is key to treating or preventing its damaging effects.
What are the symptoms of a blood clot?
The symptoms of a blood clot range from pain and bruising to weakness and shortness of breath.
Blood clot symptoms depend on where in the body the clot is, and your examining doctor should know the signs when you present.
Blood clots can form in the
Each area has its own symptoms and depending on where the clot is, some are more severe than others.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the brain
Symptoms of a blood clot in the brain can be constant and piercing headaches. Depending on where the clot in the brain is, it could affect your speech, sight and sense of smell.
You may also find it difficult to move, have paralysis down one side or limb, and many people suffer seizures.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the heart
Symptoms of a blood clot in the heart include pain across the chest, and sometimes the pain feels as if the chest is being crushed. The symptoms mirror those of a heart attack, with shortness of breath and pain down the left arm.
Other symptoms include sweating; in some cases, the sufferer may pass out or be difficult to rouse.
The symptoms of a blood clot may be similar to a heart attack but should not be ruled out when treating a patient.
A blood clot patient may also be at risk of having a heart attack, and this should be taken into account, along with the symptoms.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs
Symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs will affect how you breathe, and sudden breathlessness is often the first sign of a blood clot.
Other symptoms are coughing up blood and chest pain. The chest pain may worsen when you breathe or lie down.
Many patients will experience an irregular heartbeat or one faster than normal.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the limbs
Symptoms of a blood clot in the limbs are pain, bruising and paralysis in the leg or arm. The area where the clot forms may feel tender to the touch and is often quite swollen.
Red patches on the skin and a feeling of warmth in the area are other symptoms of a blood clot.
Symptoms of a blood clot in the stomach area
Symptoms of a blood clot in the stomach area include constant nausea and vomiting. The abdominal area can feel tender to touch, and in some people, persistent pain is a symptom of a blood clot.
If you show any symptoms of a blood clot and are a patient at risk of a blood clot, your doctor must take immediate action.
Who is at risk of developing a blood clot?
Anyone is at risk of developing a blood clot, but certain people are more prone to them than others. Age and lifestyle habits can be factors in developing a blood clot, and many people suffer them after a trauma such as a car crash.
People are at risk of developing a blood clot when:
If you are at risk of developing a blood clot, you may need to take medications or make specific lifestyle changes.
Blood clots can happen, too, due to medical negligence.
If you suffer a blood clot as a result of medical negligence, you may have a blood clot negligence claim for compensation.
What types of blood clots are due to medical negligence?
Types of blood clots due to medical negligence include those from medication and ones resulting from a misdiagnosis of your condition.
Medical negligence is medical treatment that is below acceptable standards and that no other medical professional would provide.
If you think you suffered a stroke due to medical negligence, your first stop is identifying the negligent treatment involved.
Types of blood clots due to medical negligence:
The doctor not recognising your risks of a blood clot
The doctor not recognising your risks of a blood clot is due to them not following medical guidelines. If you have a condition that leads to blood clotting, the doctor should treat you appropriately.
When you present at the A&E or at the GP clinic with blood clot symptoms and show one or more risk factors, they should refer you for further treatment.
NICE Guidelines are clear on the dangers of a blood clot, and they state who may be at risk and what the protocol should be.
To not recognise your risks of a blood clot is medical negligence.
Misdiagnosis of a blood clot
Misdiagnosis of a blood clot happens when the doctor diagnoses your blood clot as another condition, only for you the develop one and all the associated conditions.
When you have chest pain and paralysis down the arms, it could be a heart attack. It can also be a blood clot in the chest area. Doctors should immediately administer blood thinners while investigating your heart.
A misdiagnosis of a blood clot only gives it time to develop and do you more damage.
Not treating for a DVT
Not treating for a DVT, Deep Vein Thrombosis, gives the blood clot time to travel to the brain and cause severe damage.
If you have all the symptoms of a DVT, such as just coming off a long-haul flight, the medical team must treat you immediately for one.
DVTs often happen after surgery, but age or other risk factors increase your chances of developing one.
Missing the signs and not treating a DVT is life-threatening medical negligence.
Not treating for a blood clot after a serious accident
Not treating for a blood clot after a serious accident only allows the blood clot to grow and cause more damage to the body.
If you have a fall or have been in a car accident, the chances of a broken bone or impact damage causing a blood clot are high. The treating paramedic or A&E doctor should immediately assess your risks and administer an anti-coagulant medication.
Often the after-effects of an accident do more damage than the event. To not take care and treat you for a blood clot can be medical negligence.
Medication causing a blood clot
Medication causing a blood clot, such as the contraceptive pill, should be prescribed with care. Interactions with other medications may also put you at risk of a blood clot, and your doctor should make you aware of all dangers.
When on the contraceptive pill, the doctor should inform you of the risks and only renew the prescription when evaluating you every three months.
If you have one or more of the risk factors for developing a blood clot, you should be fully informed and undergo checks before being prescribed medication.
You should also be called for regular check-ups while on medication that may cause a blood clot.
The effects can be devastating when you have a blood clot anywhere in your body.
If the blood clot is due to a medication error, a No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can file a compensation claim against who is at fault.
Who is at fault for blood clot negligence?
A medical professional is at fault for blood clot negligence. Every medical professional, including a GP, A&E doctor and paramedic, is trained to spot the symptoms of a blood clot.
NICE Guidelines inform medical professionals how to spot the signs of a blood clot and how to treat a patient.
Patients at risk of a blood clot due to health complications, lifestyle or prescribed medications should be treated appropriately.
Not treating a patient at risk of a blood clot with anti-coagulants is medical negligence, and you can file a claim for compensation.
How much can I claim for blood clot negligence?
You can claim for blood clot negligence in any amount from more than £4,000 to an award of over £200,000, depending on the severity of the injury due to medical negligence.
If you suffer leg damage, awards can reach more than £80,000. Brain injuries due to blood clot negligence can range from mild at more than £15,000 to serious injury at levels more than £220,000.
There is not one fixed amount awarded in blood clot negligence cases. The amount of compensation differs from patient to patient, depending on the circumstances of the blood clot and its effects.
As in all medical negligence claims, each case is dealt with on its merits and how much you have suffered due to the blood clot.
Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will handle your blood clot negligence claim and get you compensation for all damages incurred.
What can you claim for when suing for blood clot negligence?
You can claim compensation for any damages that occurred when suing for blood clot negligence.
There are two types of compensation damages due when suing for any type of medical negligence: General damages and Special damages.
General damages
General damages are when you sue for the pain, suffering and the loss of amenity, PSLA, you have experienced due to negligence.
Special damages
Special damages include loss of earnings, future care costs, and out-of-pocket expenses.
Be sure to keep payslips, receipts and proof of any losses you experience as a result of the medical negligence.
You deserve compensation to cover all losses, including loss of life, medical costs and any long-term care needs.
When you or a loved one suffers from the effects of blood clot negligence, you make a claim for compensation.
Your No Win No Fee solicitor will guide you through the steps in making a blood clot negligence claim.
What are the steps involved in making a blood clot negligence claim?
The steps involved in making a blood clot negligence claim go from seeking medical advice to issuing court proceedings. The steps are a part of any successful compensation case, and settlement can happen at any stage in the process.
When you follow the steps correctly and get all the facts and figures together, your medical negligence solicitor will do the rest.
Step 1: Seek medical advice
Seek medical advice on the injuries you have suffered or are suffering with immediately you realise you experienced blood clot negligence.
Step 2: Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor
Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor who operates on a No Win No Fee basis and tell them what went wrong. The right solicitor will look at your case, see where the problem lies, and advise if you suffered blood clot negligence.
The Medical Negligence Team also have a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme, where you get all the money awarded in a negligence claim.
You are the one who suffered medical negligence, and you should get all the money due for the suffering.
Step 3: Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records
Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records with your permission. By reading your records, they will confirm if they think you have a valid blood clot negligence case.
The medical negligence team will know from reading your medical records if the case will result in compensation being paid.
Step 4: The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party
The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party is the next step. The letter will ask them to admit the blood clot negligence in what is known as ‘sending a letter of claim.’
When the negligent party receives the letter of claim, it has up to four months to provide a written response.
Step 5: Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer
Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer will move your compensation claim closer to a conclusion.
The insurer will either admit the medical negligence or say they intend to defend the case. Deciding to defend the case is known as ‘deny liability’ in legal terms.
If they admit liability, your blood clot negligence claim can be valued.
The two parties will meet to decide on your blood clot compensation payment.
Your solicitor will negotiate with the negligent party and use their experience to get the compensation you deserve.
Step 6: Issuing court proceedings
Issuing court proceedings is the next step if they deny liability in your blood clot negligence case. Going to court happens, too, when they are not prepared to pay a fair amount for the injuries you have suffered.
Your medical negligence solicitor issues the court proceedings.
Remember that less than 1% of medical negligence cases end up in court, and very few of those cases ever make it to the courtroom.
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor
Using a No Win No Fee solicitor is the only way to a successful blood clot negligence claim. Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will not charge you for a claim you do not win.
Always have a fee agreement in place before engaging a medical negligence solicitor. If they start talking of a ‘win fee’ or a ‘success fee,’ you should walk away. The negligent party insurers should pay all fees.
The medical negligence solicitor should also operate a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme. When you win the case, all the money awarded should go to you, not the solicitor.
You are the one who suffered blood clot negligence, and you deserve the compensation to get your life back to normal.
How long do I have to make a claim for blood clot negligence?
You have three years to make a claim for blood clot negligence. All medical negligence claims are subject to limitation periods.
For example, in England and Wales, medical negligence claims must generally be brought, court proceedings issued within three years of the injury, or three years of knowledge of the facts giving rise to the claim.
If someone has passed away, it is the date of death if the limitation period has not expired at the date of death.
Children not under a disability typically have until they reach 21 to start a blood clot negligence claim or court proceedings.
Persons under a disability, who lack capacity, are not subject to any limitation period.
Can I make a medical negligence claim against the NHS?
Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim against the NHS. Suing the NHS for negligence is not unusual. People sue the NHS for compensation for medical negligence and receive the money they deserve for the negligent treatment.
Each year there are between 8,000 and 10,000 successful medical negligence claims against the NHS. Suing the NHS for medical negligence can make some people feel uncomfortable.
Amounts in compensation claims awarded against the NHS range from £1000 to over £10 million. The amount you receive covers minor injuries such as scarring to serious life-threatening negligence, which leaves you with long-term care needs.
We trust in and use the NHS daily and do not expect negligence. It happens, though, and the NHS has a dedicated team to handle medical negligence compensation claims, called NHS resolution.
NHS Resolution has a responsibility to treat patients who seek compensation fairly. Patients pay for the NHS through their taxes, and for that they deserve respect and the best medical treatment.
Contact The Medical Negligence Team
Contact the Medical Negligence Team today to discuss your blood clot negligence claim for compensation. We have both the legal and medical experts to guide you along the steps to a successful medical negligence claim for compensation.
At the Medical Negligence Team, we fight every compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis. You will not be out of pocket for an unsuccessful claim.
We have a very high success rate and a reputation for a speedy and successful resolution to all medical negligence cases.
Our 100% Compensation Guarantee puts all the money you win into your pocket. You or your loved one suffered blood clot negligence, and you deserve every penny of the compensation.
Contact us at the Medical Negligence Team for all your medical negligence needs.
