Watford Walk-In Centre Medical Negligence – No Win No Fee Claims

This article is about claiming compensation for a Watford walk-in centre medical negligence claim. Walk-in centres, also known as urgent care centres or minor injury units, have been introduced to reduce the pressure on A&E departments. When you are treated at a walk-in centre, you can expect the same level of care as in a hospital. In fact, doctor, nurses and other medical professionals who treat you have the same legal duty of care towards your wellbeing.

Claims for medical negligence are only possible if the negligent act causes you to suffer. As an example, if a doctor prescribed the incorrect medicine, and you went on to suffer adverse side effects, then you might be allowed to claim.

Watford walk-in centre medical negligence claims guide

Legal Expert is able to help you start a medical negligence claim. Our specialist advisors can review any case and offer free legal advice too. If your claim is deemed strong enough, our medical negligence solicitor could take it on. To make the claims process less stressful, all accepted claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis. During a claim, your solicitor will provide regular updates and explain any legal jargon. Their main duty, though, will be to try and achieve the highest level of compensation possible for you.

Please call our advice line today on 0800 073 8804 if you are ready to discuss your case. Alternatively, please continue reading our helpful guide.

Select A Section

• A Guide To Claims For Negligence At A Watford Walk-In Centre
• What Is Negligence At A Watford Walk-In Centre?
• Walk-In Centres And Clinics Covering Watford
• When To Go To A Walk-In Centre
• Negligent Treatment Of Minor Injuries At A Walk-In Clinic
• Negligence In The Treatment Of Minor Infections At A Walk-In Clinic
• Negligent Treatment Of Sexual Health And Pregnancy At A Walk-In Clinic
• Negligent Prescription Of Medications At A Walk-In Clinic
• Medical Negligence Compensation Calculator
• No Win No Fee Claims For Watford Walk-In Centre Medical Negligence
• Get In Touch With An Expert
• Learn More

A Guide To Claims For Negligence At A Watford Walk-In Centre

Walk-in centres have been introduced in many large towns and cities in the UK. The idea is that they can take some of the pressure off of A&E departments. Generally, you can attend a minor injuries unit without an appointment. However, on occasion, you might receive a referral from a GP or NHS 111. This article is about clinical negligence claims due to negligence in a Watford walk-in centre but the information we’ll supply could help in other areas too. For your information, the walk-in centre could be NHS run or a private walk-in clinic.

Later on, we’ll explain what medical negligence is. Generally, though, if negligent treatment results in you becoming ill, injured or your existing condition is made worse. For instance,  mistakes that could cause you to suffer include prescription errors, negligent misdiagnosis, and failure to send you for tests.

As we progress, we will show you what treatments are offered at walk-in centres. We have also added a compensation table to give you some idea of how much compensation could be paid.

You must adhere to strict time limits when making a medical negligence claim. For adults, you’ll usually have 3-years to start your claim. This can vary if you didn’t realise the negligence had harmed you, though, so please call if you need to check how long you have to begin a claim. If you want to claim because your child has suffered, you are able to start at any point before their 18^th birthday.

Towards the end of this article, we show how No Win No Fee solicitors can make claims a lot less stressful. For free advice on how to start your claim, please contact our advice centre today.

What Is Negligence At A Watford Walk-In Centre?

When we are treated by medical professionals, we have to trust that they will do things correctly and keep us safe. Above all, registered medical professionals have a legal duty of care to do all they can to protect your safety. Any negligent breach of that duty could entitle you to make a claim for medical negligence. However, you to have a valid claim you must have suffered avoidable harm.

To make a medical negligence claim, you must provide evidence that you suffered as a result of the negligence. To prove negligence you would first have to show that you were owed a duty of care. This duty was breached through negligent treatment. For example, a doctor failed to listen to the symptoms you presented with therefore misdiagnosed you. The misdiagnosis for example meant that a bone fracture was missed causing more damage to the area. Generally, the following types of negligence might lead to avoidable harm:

• Being given the wrong medication.
• Having your condition incorrectly diagnosed.
• Not being referred to a specialist in more complex cases.
• Being prescribed a drug that is listed on your medical records as something you’re allergic to.
• Being prescribed the wrong dosage of medicine.

This list is not comprehensive so do not worry if you don’t see a case that matches your own. We can help with claims for any type of negligence that has caused you to suffer. Please call our team today to have your claim assessed on a no-obligation basis.

Walk-In Centres And Clinics Covering Watford

Urgent care centres in Watford can be found in GP surgeries, hospitals and private facilities. You can usually use them if you need urgent care which is not life-threatening. If you don’t know if your ailment is treatable at a walk-in centre, you could speak to your GP or NHS 111 for advice. For your information, here is a list of some of the walk-in centres near Watford:

• Hemel Hempstead Hospital.
• Haverstock Healthcare (Barnet Hospital).
• New QEII Hospital.
• The Whittington Hospital.
• St Mary’s Hospital (HQ).
• University College Hospital.

When To Go To A Walk-In Centre

We’ve already explained that urgent care (non-life-threatening) is offered at walk-in centres. In this section, we’ve listed many of the treatments offered according to this NHS site. Again, if you’re unsure where you should go for treatment, you may wish to contact NHS 111 first. Some of the conditions you could receive treatment for include:

• Eye problems.
• Throat and ear infections.
• Cuts or bruising.
• High temperature.
• Stomach pain.
• Vomiting, diarrhoea or nausea.
• Emergency contraception.
• Minor head injuries.
• Sprains or strains.
• Bites or stings.
• Rashes or skin infections.
• Scalds or burns.
• Broken limbs.
• Coughs or colds.

Not all walk-in centres will treat the same illnesses and injuries. Some are nurse lead and others may have GP’s. This may mean you choose a different walk-in centre for your medical condition.

Negligent Treatment Of Minor Injuries At A Walk-In Clinic

Many injuries are treated successfully by walk-in centre staff. Negligence could happen if a doctor or nurse provides treatment that is sud-standard. If they do, and it results in harm, you may be eligible to start a claim. Here are a few examples of mistakes that could occur:

• Incorrect diagnosis of your injury. For example, if a bone fracture is diagnosed as a sprain because the doctor failed to refer you for an x-ray when you clearly showed signs of a fracture.
• Failure to refer. Similarly, if you are showing signs of a serious condition but the doctor did not listen to your symptoms clearly and therefore, failed to refer you.
• Prescription mistakes. Incorrect medication can sometimes cause adverse side effects as could drugs which are too strong. Medication that is too weak could mean your condition doesn’t get better.

Legal Expert provides free advice on how to begin your claim. In addition, our specialists will review your case, look at the evidence, and let you know your options. Why not contact us today about your case?

Negligence In The Treatment Of Minor Infections At A Walk-In Clinic

As well as injuries, many illnesses and minor infections are treatable at walk-in centres. Again, the diagnosis and treatment are usually successful meaning that the problem goes away. If a mistake does cause you to suffer though, you may look into making a claim for compensation. Examples of errors that may lead you to suffer include:

• Wrong medication. This could mean you suffer as your underlying condition is not being treated.
• Misdiagnosis of the illness. In serious cases, a delay in receiving the correct diagnosis could be life-threatening.
• Failure to be sent for tests. While GPs have a vast knowledge of medical conditions, there are times when they should refer you to a specialist. Failing to do so could mean a more complex medical issue is missed.

Proving that medical negligence has caused you to suffer can be extremely difficult. Also, misdiagnosis or failure to refer does not always mean that a doctor or nurse has been negligent. It may be that they were not presented with enough information about your symptoms. And, they may be eliminating causes and this may take a little time. Moreover, for your medical negligence claim to be valid it must be proven that a medical practitioner of similar standing would have acted differently. Please call our advisors if you have any questions at all.

Negligent Treatment Of Sexual Health And Pregnancy At A Walk-In Clinic

It is possible to have Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) treated at walk-in centres. Emergency contraception and family planning services are also offered as well. But not all clinics. It is important that the diagnosis and treatment of STIs are carried out effectively because left untreated, they could cause long-term problems. Some examples of mistakes that could cause you to suffer include:

• Being given the wrong antibiotic which meant your infection became worse.
• Not being sent to a specialist for tests despite having symptoms of complex conditions like HIV.
• Not being treated for the correct condition (misdiagnosis).

In cases where harm has been caused by negligent sexual health treatment, we could help you start a claim. For free advice on how to begin your case, why not call our specialists today?

Negligent Prescription Of Medications At A Walk-In Clinic

The UK has a great health service where we can be seen by a doctor quickly and illnesses are treated quickly. Importantly, it is very easy to get hold of prescription medication when needed. Mostly, the medication that’s prescribed is correct and cures the ailment quickly. Prescription errors could happen when medication is being prescribed or when it is being dispensed. For example, the following could all lead to unnecessary harm:

• Prescription allergies. Where you are prescribed a medicine that you are known to be allergic to.
• Dosage errors. This could mean that your treatment is unsuccessful because the drug is too weak. Medication that is too strong could lead to hospitalisation if you suffer an adverse effect.
• Dispensing errors. Similarly, being given a different drug to the one prescribed could lead to serious problems.
• Mixing medications. For instance, a doctor should check what other medication you’re taking to check there are no known conflicts with what they are going to prescribe.

To help support your case, it is a good idea to keep hold of drug packaging. If you believe a medication issue has led to you suffering, please contact our team for free claims advice today. We advise you to have specialist legal representation on your side. If you’d like us to appoint a specialist solicitor to your case, please call our advice line to have your claim assessed.

Medical Negligence Compensation Calculator

It is now time to look at the value of the compensation that could be paid for injuries or illnesses that have been suffered due to medical negligence. Generally, the first part of the calculation will be for ‘general damages’. This part of the claim aims to compensate for any pain and suffering that resulted from your injuries.

Below, you’ll see a compensation table with figures from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). Courts and legal professionals use the JCG to help set compensation levels. In our table, you’ll find some figures for relevant injuries and illnesses.

We should say that, because claims are unique, you should use the table for guidance only. Once you have contacted us, and your case has been reviewed, we will provide a more personalised estimate for you.

As you may have noticed, the severity of your injury is a key factor used to determine how much compensation is awarded. To help prove the amount of suffering you’ve sustained, supporting evidence is required. That’s why, as part of the claims process, your solicitor will arrange a local medical assessment for you. The meeting will be conducted by an independent medical specialist. During your appointment, you will be examined and asked questions about how you have suffered. The specialist may also examine your medical records. Once the meeting is over, they will write their findings down in a report which will be forwarded to your solicitor.

Other Parts Of Your Claim

You are also able to claim for any costs or financial losses that have resulted from medical negligence. This element of your claim is called ‘special damages’. The idea here is to help put you in the same financial position as you were prior to the negligence took place. Each claim is different, but special damages could include:

• Care costs.
  This could include a payment to cover the time taken by a friend to help out while you were recovering.
• Medical expenses.
  For example, you may wish to claim prescription costs or some non-NHS services.
• Travel-related costs.
  This might include parking fees at hospitals or fuel costs linked to doctor’s appointments.
• Lost earnings.
  If you are left out of pocket because you need time off work while recovering, you could ask for those losses to be paid back.
• Vehicle or home adaptations.
  In cases where you are left with a disability, you could claim for modifications which make life a little easier.
• Future lost income.
  If your injuries mean that your ability to work in the long-term is reduced, your earning capacity could be reduced. Therefore, future lost income to be considered too.

If you would like us to assess what might be included in your claim, please speak to an advisor today.

No Win No Fee Claims For Watford Walk-In Centre Medical Negligence

If you decide to use a solicitor for your case opt for one that offers a no win no fee agreement. This way you do not have to pay upfront for your solicitor to start working on your case. Our medical negligence solicitor works on a No Win No Fee basis for any claim they accept. This means the process of claiming is less stressful because your financial risk is lowered.

To begin your claim, a solicitor will need to review its feasibility with you. If they decide to work on your case, they will provide you with a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This contract will explain how the No Win No Fee solicitor will be paid. It will also make it clear that:

• No money is required to be paid upfront to your solicitor.
• There are no solicitor’s fees billed to you during the claims process.
• Should your claim fail, you will not need to pay any solicitor’s fees at all.

If your claim is won, your solicitor’s work will be paid for by a success fee. This is shown in the CFA as a percentage of your compensation. So that you can’t be overcharged, success fees are capped legally. Your percentage will be explained to you before you sign up for our service.

We can check if you are eligible to claim using our No Win No Fee service once your case has been assessed by an advisor, so please contact us today.

Get In Touch With An Expert

OK, we are getting towards the end of this article about a Watford walk-in centre medical negligence claim. If you have decided that you might be eligible to start a claim, and you’d like to discuss your case with Legal Expert, you can:

• Call our free advice line on 0800 073 8804 to talk to a specialist.
• Send an email about your claim to our advice centre at info@legalexpert.co.uk.
• Ask for free advice in live chat.
• Begin the claims process online by completing our enquiry form. We will arrange to call you back when it is convenient.

We would never want to waste your time or offer false hope. Therefore, your advisor will honestly assess your claim and advise you about your chances of being compensated. If there is a reasonable chance of making a successful claim, your case could be passed to one of our solicitors. If they accept your claim, it will be managed using our No Win No Fee service.

Learn More

This is the last part of our guide on claiming for a Watford walk-in centre medical negligence incident. So far, we’ve looked at why you might be allowed to claim. In this section, we’ve provided some resources that could be useful during the claims process.

GP Services – A list of services provided by your local doctor’s surgery.

Queen Elizabeth II Hospital Report – The latest report following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

NHS 111 Online – An NHS service you can turn to if you think you need emergency treatment.

Legal Expert supports many different types of compensation claims. Therefore, we’ve listed a few more of our guides below.

Airbag Injuries – Details of how to claim if you are injured by an airbag during a car accident.

Unfair Dismissal After A Workplace Accident – This guide looks at claiming if you’re dismissed after you’ve been injured at work.

Amputation Claims – Advises how much compensation could be awarded if a limb is amputated following an accident.

Other Guides Available To Read

• Knee Surgery Gone Wrong Claims Guide
• Rotavirus Compensation Claims Explained
• Liverpool Walk-In Centre Medical Negligence Claims
• Spire Healthcare Negligence Claims Guide

Should you need any extra information from us, please get in touch with our advisors today.

Written by Hambridge

Edited By Melissa.