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What Are Clinical Negligence Solicitors?

Renee Booker
Renee Booker

Within many areas of the world, such as the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Australia, the term used for a lawyer or attorney is "solicitor." Solicitors may choose to focus their practice of law on a specific area of the law such as criminal law or international law. Many solicitors choose to help victims who have been injured by acts or omissions of health care providers by becoming clinical negligence solicitors.

When a professional involved in treating patients, such as a doctor, nurse, or surgeon, fails to perform his or her job according to the expected industry standards, he or she may be liable for clinical negligence. Clinical negligence is also often referred to as "medical negligence" or "medical malpractice." Negligence is a legal term that is essentially equivalent to blame or fault. Negligence generally requires four elements to be met in order for a defendant to be found liable: a duty of care to the plaintiff; a breach of the duty of care; causation; and damages.

Solicitors may choose to focus their practice of law on a specific area of the law such as criminal law or international law.
Solicitors may choose to focus their practice of law on a specific area of the law such as criminal law or international law.

When a victim has been injured by the negligent acts or omission of a health care professional, he or she may need the advice and services of clinical negligence solicitors. The main function of clinical negligence solicitors is to ensure that a victim is compensated by the defendant for his or her injuries. In some cases, compensation may be secured by reaching a settlement with the defendant, while, in others, a lawsuit may be necessary.

When a victim has been injured by the negligent acts or omission of a health care professional, he or she may need the advice and services of clinical negligence solicitors.
When a victim has been injured by the negligent acts or omission of a health care professional, he or she may need the advice and services of clinical negligence solicitors.

Within England and Wales, the National Health Service Trusts and Health Authorities (NHS) are who are actually sued by clinical negligence solicitors in cases where an NHS employee is allegedly responsible for the plaintiff's injuries. The NHS basically indemnifies all employees on the basis of vicarious liability. If the defendant is a private practitioner or private hospital, then NHS indemnification by the NHS does not apply, meaning that clinical negligence solicitors must sue the individual doctor or hospital.

A victim of a clinical negligence case may be entitled to recover both out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, and compensation for things such as pain and suffering. Clinical negligence solicitors will generally meet with the client to determine the extent and type of injuries. The solicitors will then begin the often extensive process of investigating the claim. Medical records must be secured and reviewed before attempting to negotiate with the defendant as a rule. If negotiations are unsuccessful, then clinical negligence solicitors will take the client's case to trial.

Discussion Comments

anon942542

What kind of negligence is it when two dentists work out how to lure patients in to their office under false pretenses?

If a patient wants a referral to a specialist, they say one must come to the office so the dentist can evaluate the problem and than refuse a referral because as the first dentist explains to the unwitting patient, he has his own specialist in house for what ever procedures are needed.

At that point, a patient is bound to that office and the choice of specialist is taken away.

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    • Solicitors may choose to focus their practice of law on a specific area of the law such as criminal law or international law.
      By: Andy Dean
      Solicitors may choose to focus their practice of law on a specific area of the law such as criminal law or international law.
    • When a victim has been injured by the negligent acts or omission of a health care professional, he or she may need the advice and services of clinical negligence solicitors.
      By: Minerva Studio
      When a victim has been injured by the negligent acts or omission of a health care professional, he or she may need the advice and services of clinical negligence solicitors.