MRSA compensation claims

If you or a loved one has contracted MRSA because a hospital failed to meet the right hygiene standards, our team of clinical negligence solicitors can provide legal advice and help secure the compensation you deserve.

Contents:

• What is MRSA?
• What constitutes medical negligence?
• Who can claim for MRSA compensation?
• Can I make a no win, no fee MRSA claim?
• Is there a time limit for making a claim?
• Start a claim

What is MRSA?

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) is a type of bacteria that is often referred to as a ""superbug"" because of its strong resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. This means MRSA infections can be more difficult to treat than other bacterial infections.

Those staying in hospital are most likely to contract MRSA. It usually affects people who already have a weakened immune system due to certain illnesses and can cause complications such as blood poisoning and pneumonia – and in some cases can be fatal.

Symptoms of MRSA include:

• Muscular pain
• Chills
• Dizziness and/or confusion
• Fever.

What constitutes medical negligence?

All hospitals in the UK have protocols for reducing the risk of hospital acquired infections such as MRSA. It’s important that these hygiene procedures are always adhered to.

If the procedures aren’t followed, this may be a case of medical negligence. Some examples include failures to:

• Cover open wounds (which reduces the risk of bacteria entering the body)
• Disinfect contaminated surfaces and laundry items
• Make sure that hospital staff treating a patient who has acquired MRSA wear protective clothing and follow hand hygiene procedures
• Place someone who has contracted MRSA in isolation
• Screen patients for MRSA.

There are times when medical staff fail to diagnose MRSA even when patients show clear signs of an invasive infection. If this has happened to you, you may be able to make a claim for medical misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

Who can claim for MRSA compensation?

If you’re diagnosed with MRSA after visiting or staying at a hospital or clinic, there is a high likelihood that you were infected because staff failed in their duty of care to protect you against infection. This amounts to clinical negligence and means you could be entitled to make a MRSA compensation claim.

Any person who is injured due to hospital negligence in the UK may be able to claim compensation for their injuries.

The first step is to prove that the healthcare facility was negligent in its duty towards you. Our specialist personal injury solicitors at Thompsons have extensive experience of working on many complex hospital negligence claims and guiding people through the medical negligence claims process.

We work with some of the best independent medical experts in the country to help provide the necessary evidence in support of your claim. We’ll also seek assurances from the hospital that similar mistakes won’t happen again.

You can find out more information about how to make a medical negligence claim by completing our quick online claim form or calling 0800 0 224 224.

Can I make a no win, no fee MRSA claim?

With Thompsons, you can make your MRSA claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you’ll only need to pay a contribution towards legal expenses if your claim is successful. In the event we do not secure MRSA compensation for you, you won’t need to pay a penny.

In successful medical negligence claims, most of your legal expenses are paid by whoever is responsible for the negligence. If you have a no win, no fee agreement, the remainder of the legal costs are deducted from your compensation.

Unlike other law firms, we put a strict limit on the amount we can deduct from your compensation. When you claim through us, we guarantee you'll keep at least 75% of the compensation awarded.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

For MRSA claims, the time limit is generally three years from the date of diagnosis or, if the effects have taken some time to become apparent, the date you could reasonably have become aware your infection was a result of medical negligence.

There are some exceptions to the three-year time limit for making a medical negligence claim, but it is very important to contact our specialist solicitors will explain everything to you once they know your particular circumstances.

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Talk to Us

For free, no-obligation legal advice, contact our medical negligence solicitors by completing our short online claim form or calling us today.

0800 0 224 224