Latest TLA Medicolegal News
27 May 2011
Reducing The Cost Of Medicolegal Reporting Without Compromise
If legal aid is no longer available in clinical negligence cases then the majority of patients treated in UK hospitals through the NHS system would struggle to find the funds to embark on a potential claim. The lack of access to a specialist clinical negligence law firm, and their access to a suitable medical expert, are both incredibly serious issues.
Equally concerning from the experts' point of view is how drastically it will affect the amount of clinical negligence that is brought to light. How can medical professionals and hospital trusts strive for excellence and the best care if the mistakes are simply not accounted for along the way?
So if limited funds are available right from the beginning and the claimant is having to pay in full (or at least part 'payment on account' to their solicitor for an expert medical report), this will encourage economy in the use of medical experts. Will there then be compromise on the suitability or ability of an expert for sake of costs?
TLA Medicolegal's solution is an option of a preliminary report. Clinical negligence can be very clear from the onset, but in many cases it can be very subtle and this is where a short report of around ten pages is produced at around half of the cost of a full medicolegal report.
The preliminary report can cut time and extra legal costs. The instructing solicitor is clear as to the chances of either a successful potential claim or alternatively whether it would be difficult to prove clinical negligence or breach of duty based on the information provided which could substantially reduce further unwanted costs.
If from the preliminary report the legal team decide to pursue a full and detailed clinical negligence report then this will be charged as a full medicolegal report, but less the amount already paid for the preliminary report.
This is an effective way of keeping costs down, but without compromising on the suitability, experience and knowledge of an expert opinion.