We specialise in hospital and medical abuse claims, so if you would like a free consultation with our independently recommended abuse lawyers then contact our confidential helpline on 0333 888 0445 or email us at [email protected].
Can you claim compensation for abuse in hospital?
Overview of the legal position
As this case study of a claim we successfully resolved demonstrates, you can claim compensation if you are abused in hospital.
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Duty of care
Hospitals owe patients, visitors, and staff a duty of care. This requires hospitals and healthcare facilities to take reasonable steps to provide a safe environment and protection from abuse. If that duty of care is breached, the victim may seek compensation.
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Types of abuse
Abuse in hospital can include physical and sexual assault, grooming, harassment, and neglect.
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Evidence of abuse
To make a successful compensation claim, evidence of the abuse will be required. Witnesses are often important, along with patient medical records, reports made to the hospital, and any formal investigations that are carried out by the police or the hospital authorities.
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Specialist legal adviceIt is important to obtain legal advice from specialist lawyers. We offer a free consultation service and can undertake work on a no win, no fee basis, so financial concerns should not put anyone off seeking justice.
Case study of a woman who was abused in hospital by a healthcare worker
Our abuse team was contacted by a young woman (who for confidentiality purposes we will call ‘S’) regarding her experiences while she was an in-patient under the care of Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust.
S had been admitted to a medical facility to receive care and protection during a period of acute mental distress. However, instead of getting the support she needed, she was targeted by a healthcare worker entrusted with her care. This individual groomed S, using excessive attention, physical contact, and compliments to manipulate her trust.
Over time, the grooming escalated. The healthcare worker coerced S into sending him explicit photographs of herself, offering payment in return. He exploited his position to take her on supervised hospital outings, made false promises about a future relationship, and provided his personal contact details to maintain control over her.
This misconduct was allowed to continue because of the Trust’s failure to implement adequate safeguards and supervision. Despite policies designed to protect vulnerable patients, there was a clear lack of oversight that enabled the abuse to take place.
S came to us for help, and our specialist abuse lawyers agreed to take her case on, working on a no win no fee basis.
We carried out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of what had occurred. Initially, the NHS Trust denied liability. They then made a low offer of settlement that did not reflect the gravity of the abuse or its lasting impact on our client’s mental health.
We therefore pressed on with legal action. This resulted in further negotiations taking place, during which we were able to secure a settlement that was far more reflective of the severity of what S had endured. In addition to the compensation we recovered, the settlement also helped S to feel that she had been listened to and taken seriously.
How we can help those who have been abused in hospital
Our lawyers are committed to standing up for individuals who have been failed by those who are meant to protect them. We understand the immense courage it takes to come forward, and the importance of not only securing financial compensation but also achieving justice and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
If you need guidance on the question, ‘Can you claim compensation for abuse in hospital?’ then our team is here to help, offering expert legal representation, combined with compassion and sensitivity.
Contact us in confidence for a free consultation and details of no win, no fee funding.