Frankly Legal - What to do if going to hospital makes you worse - not better.

The Telegraph’s legal expert, Solicitor Advocate Frank Maguire of Thompsons Solicitors is an expert at winning compensation for clients in personal injury cases.  This week he talks about what to do if going to hospital makes you worse- not better.

With the public inquiry into the Vale of Leven C.Difficile outbreak recommencing next week, a spotlight will be shone back onto the debate surrounding what needs to be done to improve the quality of our health service.     

It’s impossible to even come close to imagining the grief experienced by the families who unexpectedly lost loved ones in this tragedy and every other hospital infection death across the country.     

While the inquiry my firm and the victims successfully campaigned for will not turn back the clock, it should leave no stone unturned in getting answers and making sure that everything that can be done is done to avoid future outbreaks.

If there’s one thing that tragedies like this highlight to all of us it’s that, whatever treatment we receive, things can go horribly wrong. 

Whether it’s an infection or another injury, sometimes where we go to get better can end up making us worse.  Getting treatment at hospital can be a stressful and distressing experience in itself.  No one should expect to have that experience made worse through no fault of their own.

The great majority of health professionals do a great and inspirational job.  That’s exactly why if you’ve suffered an infection or injury while in hospital in the last three years you should contact a solicitor.  A good solicitor should be more than happy to offer you free advice and a no win no fee service.    

Treatment in hospital should never lead to additional avoidable infections or injuries so you should seek advice on whether you are entitled to compensation.  Compensation can help support you and your family and help get your life back together.