The Government’s Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill will become law on 1 April 2013. The new Act of Parliament will result in people being unable to claim legal aid if they have been injured as a result of medical treatment.
Freeth Cartwright have a specialist Clinical Negligence Department and are warning anyone who may have been injured as a result of medical treatment to seek legal advice without delay.
Julie Hardy, Partner at Freeth Cartwright’s Nottingham office said: “This new Act will deprive many injured people of the opportunity to be compensated for their injuries and losses. From April next year legal aid will not be available for any adult, and most children, who have suffered injuries due to negligent medical treatment”.
“No one expects to suffer injuries when they receive medical treatment, but unfortunately mistakes do sometimes occur. If a patient is injured they may not be able to work or may require specialist care and equipment. A legal claim can provide compensation, but with the axing of legal aid for these claims victims are going to struggle to recover the compensation they require and are entitled to”.
“The claims that I deal with include surgical mistakes, such as operating on the wrong limb or failing to remove surgical instruments or swabs; prescription errors; mistakes resulting in the death of spouse or a child and brain injuries caused to babies during the birth process. From April 2013 the only cases where legal aid funding will be available will be the cases involving brain injuries to a baby causing a severe disability”.
“I would urge anyone who thinks that they may have a claim to seek legal aid now before the changes come into effect”.
