Medical Never Events 

 

This is an incident that is seen as wholly preventable and should never occur if the correct guidance is followed. 

Examples of these can include:- 

 

• Foreign objects being left in a patient 

• Incorrect placement of implants or prosthesis 

• Performing surgery on the wrong part of the body 

• Operating on the wrong patient 

• Scalding of patients 

• Retained vaginal and surgical swabs 

• Transfusion of incompatible blood or organs 

• Wrong tooth being removed 

 

 

 

The fact that an occurrence does happen may mean that the hospital/Trust is not correctly following the guidance as they should be. These events should never occur because they are representative of a systemic failure where the guidance or safely recommendations were not followed or were inadequate. This can be an indicator that there is a weakness in the systems that were employed by the organisation. 

 

NHS guidance published last year introduced a change in how the NHS responds to patient safety incidents. The ‘Revised Never Event policy and framework’ can be found on the NHS web site here https://tinyurl.com/mpzcrn8w 

 

 

You should be notified by the NHS where this has happened. The NHS is required to undertake an investigation into what happened and how to stop it occurring again. Patients and families should be involved in the process. 

 

 

Yes, it may be possible to make a claim and even if you have not been officially notified of an event but feel you have still been a victim of a never event. 

 

These errors can occur in both NHS and private hospitals and a claim can be brought in both cases. 

 

Negligence concerning a Never Event can have a lasting effect on your health and it is important that the consequences of any negligence are recognised and dealt with. Compensation can help relieve any financial pressures you might be under, as well as providing help with long term care and rehabilitation. 

 

 

 

In most cases yes if it is felt that you have a strong case. This would mean that even if your case were to be unsuccessful then you would pay nothing. 

 

 

Usually, a claim should be made within three years from when the event occurred or from when you were first aware that you have suffered an injury or illness as a result of negligence. Speak with us to discuss full details of any time limits. 

 

 

Contact us now for a free initial consultation where we will be able to advise on how to proceed with your claim and the level of compensation you may be able to receive. Additionally, if you have already got a Never Event case with another solicitor but feel you’re not getting the specialist legal advice you need we would be happy to discuss transferring your case to ourselves. 

 

 

If you require any legal advice with regard to Never Event Negligence or require any other legal advice then look no further than Avery Walters where some of West Yorkshire's leading medical negligence solicitors are based. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today for a FREE initial consultation. 

 

Call one of our expert Medical and Never Event Negligence solicitors now on 0113 200 7480 or complete our online form. 

 

 

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