Before any proposed medical procedure or treatment, Doctors must fully inform their patients about all the potential risks involved.

In both medical and legal terminology this is known as “informed consent”, and to not give it properly could result in medical negligence, seriously injuring the patient.

So what is informed consent?

Mostly all medical procedures will involve a degree of risk. The doctor has a responsibility to fully disclose information about a particular procedure or treatment so that a patient can make a fully informed decision about whether they want to go ahead, knowing the risks involved.

Typically there is a form that needs to be signed by the patient which outlines the risks involved, but this doesn’t necessarily constitute as proof that the patient gives consent, it must be fully discussed between doctor and patient too.

If a doctor does not get informed consent and it transpires that the patient wouldn’t have actually gone ahead with the procedure had they known the risks, then the patient may have a strong case to claim compensation for clinical negligence.

At the Specter Partnership, we have seen many cases of this nature and have successfully won compensation for those who have suffered due to clinical negligence by not having had informed consent.

Getting help

If you or a loved one have experienced medical or clinical negligence due to not being properly given informed consent, speak to an expert about claiming compensation today.

Call The Specter Partnership on the number above, or email enquiries@specterpartnership.co.uk, a member of our friendly legal team will be more than happy to help.