If you have recently undergone medical treatment and things haven't gone to plan, you may be wondering about the next steps you can take. If you suspect that the medical treatment you received amounted to medical negligence, you should consider contacting a compensation lawyer. Below is a guide to everything you need to know about making a medical negligence claim.

Gather evidence

Before you launch your compensation claim, it is essential that you realise that the hospital, clinic, doctor or other medical professional that you take to court is likely to deny that they were negligent. The only time when the other party will admit their guilt is when there is overwhelming evidence which is beyond doubt. The lawyer defending the other party will try to create reasonable doubt so the impact of the compensation claim on their client will be reduced. It is vital that you gather as much evidence as you can. You should start by requesting access to all of your medical records. You may also wish to call in a second doctor who can carry out an assessment of your health and the medical interventions you have undergone. It is essential that you document everything in writing and take photographs of any injuries.

Establish who you should pursue

A compensation lawyer will be able to help you to establish which person or organisation you should take to court. In some cases, it may be best to claim compensation from the person who was in control of your care when the incident occurred. However, in other cases, which relate to wider systemic problems which resulted in poor care, it may be better to claim compensation from the hospital itself. In some cases, such as when you believe medication or a medical device caused an injury, it may be best to file a compensation claim against the pharmaceutical company or equipment manufacturer. Public liability insurance will typically cover doctors, and many hospitals or pharmaceutical companies have cash reserves which are in place to meet the cost of any compensation claims.

If you have had a negative experience following a medical procedure and you believe the incident occurred as a result of the negligence of another party such as your health care provider, you should contact a law firm which specialises in compensation claims today. Compensation lawyers will be happy to discuss your case before recommending the next course of action.