Plans to cut medical injury claims out of legal aid system

Posted 08/11/2011

MPs last week voted in favour of cutting medical injury claims out of the legal aid system, despite the opposition of all patient organisations and the organisation that represents all NHS hospitals. Some, but not enough, MPs also recognised that the cut would affect those most seriously in need of help.

The Bill now goes to the House of Lords and it can only be hoped that common sense will prevail and those in most need of help to recover from the devastating effects of a medical error can have access to justice and to funds that will help them regain some independence and quality of life. Those who will be affected will often be the most seriously injured and in need of additional care and equipment.

Sandra Patton, a clinical negligence solicitor at Ashtons Legal, says: “The medical injury team at Ashtons Legal have acted for victims of medical accidents for decades and many of those who have recovered compensation would now be prevented from taking their case to court, despite being amongst the most vulnerable in society. We fervently hope that the Bill is overturned.”