Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The symptoms usually affect the feet, hands, fingers and wrists.
A flare can be difficult to predict, but with prompt treatment it’s possible to decrease the number of flares and minimise and in some cases prevent long-term damage.
No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims
We offer a free consultation with one of our friendly solicitors to get the ball rolling. After you’ve told us what happened, we’ll provide you with expert legal advice at no cost to you.
When a medical practitioner fails in meeting this duty, patients may be left injured, sometimes permanently. Patients can often feel helpless in dealing with a large Health Trust which may not want to deal properly with complaints, no matter how genuine they are.
If you have been adversely affected by this issue, contact Taylor Emmet’s specialist clinical negligence solicitors. You may be entitled to compensation for your suffering.
Case Study: Delay in diagnosis and treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
A 42 year old woman should have received earlier blood tests that would have prevented a delayed diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis of approximately 3 years. As a result of the advanced rheumatoid arthritis going untreated, she developed severe damage to her joints, particularly her hands, elbows and foot. She was restricted in the work she was able to carry out and needed more assistance from her family with day to day tasks. She would experience deterioration and with significant ongoing pain, became depressed. Liability was admitted and the case was settled for £165,000 on the basis of her symptoms and care needs having been accelerated by several years.
Case Study: Serious and permanent disability through delayed diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
A lady in her 60s pursued a case against Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Her case had previously been rejected by another solicitor following preliminary investigations. We obtained independent expert evidence which criticised a failure to act on an x-ray in 2007. The x-ray displayed clear evidence of rheumatoid arthritis. A 7 year delay in diagnosis and treatment sadly caused permanent and disabling injuries. She sustained damage to multiple joints, deformities in hands and reduced mobility such that alternative single story accommodation was required. Extensive care would be required for the rest of her life.
What can I claim?
The value of your claim will depend on a number of factors including:
- The nature of the injury or illness
- Whether your child (or you) recover fully from the injury or illness or if it has a long term effect on their health and wellbeing
- The amount of any losses you incur as a result of the injury
You can claim compensation for the following things if they are a result of your injury:
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Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
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Loss of earnings
- Medical and nursing care costs
- Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities and any costs involved in adapting your home
- Other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment.
Contact us to speak to one of our specialist lawyers in total confidence and they will discuss the details of your claim.
