NHS Compensation Payouts Guide

When we visit the hospital, we expect to receive the best possible medical care and get better. While the medical professionals at the NHS usually deliver on this expectation, there are times where things go wrong. On occasion, the level of care falls below the standard that it is considered medical negligence.

If you have been a victim of negligent treatment at the NHS, and have suffered harm as a result, you may be entitled to a medical negligence compensation claim. When a medical staff or an institution like the NHS provides substandard care, a compensation helps to restore the quality of life you enjoyed prior to the negligent treatment you received.

The compensation amount depends on a wide range of factors which revolve around the injury you suffered and the losses incurred as a result. This article discusses the NHS compensation payout you can expect if you want to pursue an NHS negligence claim.

What is the Average Payout for NHS Negligence Claims?

According to the NHS Litigation Authority, the average compensation payout is £50,000. Like every medical condition may manifest differently from patient to patient, each NHS negligence claim is unique. Since the variations can be wide-ranging, NHS negligence compensation payouts can be anywhere from £1,000 to millions of pounds in very severe cases.

Throughout the UK, the amount awarded for medical negligence compensation has steadily increased over the last few years. While these amounts vary greatly, a few of them have been especially notable.

Following a blunder in the operating room, a woman received £24 million in compensation after she suffered brain damage. Another woman received £12.4 million after she was confined to a wheelchair following negligent treatment during the delivery of her child. There are several other noteworthy compensation awards where patients who suffered negligent treatment have received upwards of £2 million, depending on the level of damages.

What Can Be Claimed For?

If you have received negligent treatment at the NHS, here are the damages you will usually be able to claim:

• General damages: This compensates for the pain and suffering you experienced following the injury caused by NHS negligence.
• Special damages: This compensates for out-of-pocket expenses that you have incurred as a result of the negligent treatment.
• Loss of earnings: You may be able to make NHS compensation claims if you have taken time off work as a result of the injury.
• Care claim: If you require the assistance of a carer to help you recover, you may be able to claim compensation for that.
• Medical expenses: You may be entitled to compensation claim for the costs incurred for your medical care due to the negligent treatment you received.

How is NHS Compensation Payout Calculated?

Since every NHS negligence claim is unique, the compensation amount awarded is based on the level of damages incurred. More severe cases will have larger payouts since the injury may have life-changing consequences, while less serious cases involving relatively minor consequences may have smaller payouts.

No Win No Fee NHS Negligence Claims

At Medical Negligence Direct, the vast majority of NHS negligence claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that working with us means you do not incur any financial risk, even if your case is unsuccessful. A No Win No Fee agreement eliminates the worry about having the financial capacity to fund an NHS claim. Our Medical Negligence Solicitors understand that you need all the support you can get and will work with you all the way, without adding any extra burden on your shoulders.