You're a fellow human in personal stress?

[Elsa TLC]

I think we could do with something as a gentle chat.

Sometimes we all need to talk. Sometimes its easier talking to strangers.

 

[Justin Passing]

I think we could do with something as a gentle chat.

Sometimes we all need to talk. Sometimes its easier talking to strangers.

You're right, every time I tell someone it gets just a bit easier. I'm keeping busy, as time passes it's a bit further away.
Having a "Direct Cremation" was brilliant. You get an undertaker to get the body from the hospital and it goes to a local crem, early morning, with nobody there. I honestly don't know if it's "what she would have wanted." Not bovvered, I expect.
No stupid arranging of people all pretending something or other looking at someone doing a valedictory peroration. We'll have a gathering of the few, later. Probably after xmas, as everyone, and every venue, is getting busy. I'll do a Just Giving page for the BHF.
All the extended family on her side we hardly ever met, want to come to something to stuff their faces. She had a few bros and a sister who's a cow. All grown old of course. They can come but not their kids, whose names I've forgotten. She was in loads of societies I had no interest in. She worked one day a week volunteering with 10 old biddies I've never heard much about, who all want to be my friend, and doubtless get their Lavender and Lily Of The Valley pong from Superdrug all over me. Sorry ladies, you'll have to have to outstink each other at a party just for yourselves, in Spoons.


Right,, now Probate. It's simple because there are no kids, Figures will be miles-out guesses where I can't access the accounts, but the inheritance tax will be zero anyway, because I had most of the cash, and hers just transfers ownership - there's a big limit. I did it the other day online but while I was waiting for the password check, it deleted all the figures I'd put in.
Aaargh, Etc.
She had a big employees pension. A mate whose wife died had one from the same employer, which took two and a half years to sort out. F that. He sued them, cost £5k!
So many things like that to do.....

One good thing: while I was in hosp daily getting IV antibiotics on a drip, I got to know the guy, Fred from Manila, doing it. I was trading investments on my phone... Anyway showed him and told him to have a go with £100.
His wife got extra keen and put half their house-deposit savings into a Gold/metals based fund. Sheeeeeeet, - I told him off, etc!
Gold just dropped several percent so, oh hell, I was worried. OK for me cos mine has gone up 10x that over a long period.
Saw him today. Beaming smile, he got out just at the right time. He'd made 8% in ~two weeks, & was on cloud 9. He said he didn't earn as much as it gained.
That proper cheered I up.

 

[Elsa TLC]

You're right, every time I tell someone it gets just a bit easier. I'm keeping busy, as time passes it's a bit further away.
Having a "Direct Cremation" was brilliant. You get an undertaker to get the body from the hospital and it goes to a local crem, early morning, with nobody there. I honestly don't know if it's "what she would have wanted." Not bovvered, I expect.
No stupid arranging of people all pretending something or other looking at someone doing a valedictory peroration. We'll have a gathering of the few, later. Probably after xmas, as everyone, and every venue, is getting busy. I'll do a Just Giving page for the BHF.
All the extended family on her side we hardly ever met, want to come to something to stuff their faces. She had a few bros and a sister who's a cow. All grown old of course. They can come but not their kids, whose names I've forgotten. She was in loads of societies I had no interest in. She worked one day a week volunteering with 10 old biddies I've never heard much about, who all want to be my friend, and doubtless get their Lavender and Lily Of The Valley pong from Superdrug all over me. Sorry ladies, you'll have to have to outstink each other at a party just for yourselves, in Spoons.


Right,, now Probate. It's simple because there are no kids, Figures will be miles-out guesses where I can't access the accounts, but the inheritance tax will be zero anyway, because I had most of the cash, and hers just transfers ownership - there's a big limit. I did it the other day online but while I was waiting for the password check, it deleted all the figures I'd put in.
Aaargh, Etc.
She had a big employees pension. A mate whose wife died had one from the same employer, which took two and a half years to sort out. F that. He sued them, cost £5k!
So many things like that to do.....

One good thing: while I was in hosp daily getting IV antibiotics on a drip, I got to know the guy, Fred from Manila, doing it. I was trading investments on my phone... Anyway showed him and told him to have a go with £100.
His wife got extra keen and put half their house-deposit savings into a Gold/metals based fund. Sheeeeeeet, - I told him off, etc!
Gold just dropped several percent so, oh hell, I was worried. OK for me cos mine has gone up 10x that over a long period.
Saw him today. Beaming smile, he got out just at the right time. He'd made 8% in ~two weeks, & was on cloud 9. He said he didn't earn as much as it gained.
That proper cheered I up.

I wish I was innthe bed next to you.

 

[Justin Passing]

I wish I was innthe bed next to you.

Oo Err. Actually it's covered in heavy filing boxes of my wife's . She had ten million, or so, filing boxes, they were often in front of filing cabinets, so had to go somewhere.
I do need a "person wot does". Having half a functioning dominant arm is a bugger. I'll have to employ someone.

I wonder, has anyone reading this ever made a medical negligence claim? I know @motorbiking has some legal knowledge, but he's turned off the private communication abusing facility!

 

[Elsa TLC]

Oo Err. Actually it's covered in heavy filing boxes of my wife's . She had ten million, or so, filing boxes, they were often in front of filing cabinets, so had to go somewhere.
I do need a "person wot does". Having half a functioning dominant arm is a bugger. I'll have to employ someone.

I wonder, has anyone reading this ever made a medical negligence claim? I know @motorbiking has some legal knowledge, but he's turned off the private communication abusing facility!

I meant thst hospital bed. To get those tips on investments.

 

[motorbiking]

Oo Err. Actually it's covered in heavy filing boxes of my wife's . She had ten million, or so, filing boxes, they were often in front of filing cabinets, so had to go somewhere.
I do need a "person wot does". Having half a functioning dominant arm is a bugger. I'll have to employ someone.

I wonder, has anyone reading this ever made a medical negligence claim? I know @motorbiking has some legal knowledge, but he's turned off the private communication abusing facility!

Can you summarise? Assume I haven’t read the rest of the thread

Edit sorry I now realise what this thread is about.

My deepest sympathies and empathy for the process you now face.

You don’t have to think about a claim now. You’ve plenty of time to consider it and plenty of firms can help.

 

[johnny2007]

Oo Err. Actually it's covered in heavy filing boxes of my wife's . She had ten million, or so, filing boxes, they were often in front of filing cabinets, so had to go somewhere.
I do need a "person wot does". Having half a functioning dominant arm is a bugger. I'll have to employ someone.

I wonder, has anyone reading this ever made a medical negligence claim? I know @motorbiking has some legal knowledge, but he's turned off the private communication abusing facility!

I have made a medical negligence claim over a decade ago.
I employed a solicitor involved with unions and she took the case on a no win no fee basis.
I recovered the money I spent on private treatment and surgery as well as a few bobs for the trouble.
The NHS paid up without going to court because they cocked it up big time.
I am now in the process of making another medical negligence claim for a long delay in being referred to a specialist.
I ended up going private and confirming that my suspicion of a mechanical joint problem was real and physio only made it worse.
The physiotherapist in the mission to save peanuts for the NHS wrote in his notes that I had weak legs when in fact I can still push 250kg on a leg press and I go mountain biking at least twice a week, not on leisure sightseeing, but pushing hard on those pedals.
My legs look like those of a horse and the doctor appointed by the same solicitor firm took pictures which I suppose will make the NHS cough up again without going to court.
My advice: avoid the singing and dancing no win no fee solicitors advertising everywhere and go to a local firm.

 

[Justin Passing]

Can you summarise? Assume I haven’t read the rest of the thread

Edit sorry I now realise what this thread is about.

My deepest sympathies and empathy for the process you now face.

You don’t have to think about a claim now. You’ve plenty of time to consider it and plenty of firms can help.

OK quick timeline: sligty fuzzied to anonymize.
1) Early September sometime, she had pain in her back like a pulled muscle. This was the start of a "silent heart attack". Common symptom apparently, in fit women of her age.
2) Sept date x th, to GP, ECG, "ACUTE MI" it said (have photo) - but they don't lke AI interpretations. Same day, to A&E
3) A&E sent her home, that same day, to arrange a holter monitor (thing you wear, to check a few things over a period. Suitable for angina), Inadequate tests done to eliminate possibiity of MI. I DO NOT have discharge letter, though GP would.
4) October date y th , about 15 days after 3), to hospital, regular appt, to review holter monitor result. ECG at that time showed Acute MI clearly.
Admitted immediately (have letter)
5) died 5 days later, because the damage was already done.

GP looked at records from 3) and he supports negligence claim. He would give opinion on paper.
Consultant in period 4) to 5), coma, on full drugs support, also said inadequate tests done. She probably would not repeat it.

OK so there's decent evidence, though I may be a bit wrong here or there. I now know quite a bit about a lot of relevant stuff!

Questions on response from possible solicitor firms (yes I have 3 years but they want committment in 28 days)
#1 One, from a find your solicitor site, is saying ,
___yes, we agree, so sign here now.
I haven't checked their location or whatever they use for check -a-trade.

#2 Two, which claims to be highest rated clinical neg soli out of hundreds in the Uk, and has several clinical neg solis in the firm.
___Won't move much without Letters of administration (proves I'd be beneficiary) - will take me little while to get
___Will insist on identifying me in person - they're remote so I don't know how that would happen
___Wants to see house insurance which may (I haven't checked ) provide some legal cover, if not it can be no win no fee.
___ are offerig to go to an internal Conditional Fee Application to set out funding options here on . It might be in my interest to use any eg house insurance legal cover.
___ are asking me if I am asking them to issue a complaint letter to the relevant hospital - the A&E is not in the cardiac treatment hospital and I found the A & E has a lousy reputaion. Statistics published - dunno?

Obviously #2 is much more thorough - or are they likely to be a pita?

I wonder about the funding options. Would they be lilkely to pay more out if I undertook to indemnify them for £xx,000 in the event of the claim failing, or simply pay for initial investigations.. I know, you're going to say ask them.
I believe they all take 25% of any award if no win no fee.

Award minimum, for the life alone, is I believe £16k
My loss of her pension for rest of my expected life, would be like, a house.

I'm concerned about publicising the case here . PM would be better?

 

[Justin Passing]

I have made a medical negligence claim over a decade ago.
I employed a solicitor involved with unions and she took the case on a no win no fee basis.
I recovered the money I spent on private treatment and surgery as well as a few bobs for the trouble.
The NHS paid up without going to court because they cocked it up big time.
I am now in the process of making another medical negligence claim for a long delay in being referred to a specialist.
I ended up going private and confirming that my suspicion of a mechanical joint problem was real and physio only made it worse.
The physiotherapist in the mission to save peanuts for the NHS wrote in his notes that I had weak legs when in fact I can still push 250kg on a leg press and I go mountain biking at least twice a week, not on leisure sightseeing, but pushing hard on those pedals.
My legs look like those of a horse and the doctor appointed by the same solicitor firm took pictures which I suppose will make the NHS cough up again without going to court.
My advice: avoid the singing and dancing no win no fee solicitors advertising everywhere and go to a local firm.

Thanks, appreciated,

 

[johnny2007]

OK quick timeline: sligty fuzzied to anonymize.
1) Early September sometime, she had pain in her back like a pulled muscle. This was the start of a "silent heart attack". Common symptom apparently, in fit women of her age.
2) Sept date x th, to GP, ECG, "ACUTE MI" it said (have photo) - but they don't lke AI interpretations. Same day, to A&E
3) A&E sent her home, that same day, to arrange a holter monitor (thing you wear, to check a few things over a period. Suitable for angina), Inadequate tests done to eliminate possibiity of MI. I DO NOT have discharge letter, though GP would.
4) October date y th , about 15 days after 3), to hospital, regular appt, to review holter monitor result. ECG at that time showed Acute MI clearly.
Admitted immediately (have letter)
5) died 5 days later, because the damage was already done.

GP looked at records from 3) and he supports negligence claim. He would give opinion on paper.
Consultant in period 4) to 5), coma, on full drugs support, also said inadequate tests done. She probably would not repeat it.

OK so there's decent evidence, though I may be a bit wrong here or there. I now know quite a bit about a lot of relevant stuff!

Questions on response from possible solicitor firms (yes I have 3 years but they want committment in 28 days)
#1 One, from a find your solicitor site, is saying ,
___yes, we agree, so sign here now.
I haven't checked their location or whatever they use for check -a-trade.

#2 Two, which claims to be highest rated clinical neg soli out of hundreds in the Uk, and has several clinical neg solis in the firm.
___Won't move much without Letters of administration (proves I'd be beneficiary) - will take me little while to get
___Will insist on identifying me in person - they're remote so I don't know how that would happen
___Wants to see house insurance which may (I haven't checked ) provide some legal cover, if not it can be no win no fee.
___ are offerig to go to an internal Conditional Fee Application to set out funding options here on . It might be in my interest to use any eg house insurance legal cover.
___ are asking me if I am asking them to issue a complaint letter to the relevant hospital - the A&E is not in the cardiac treatment hospital and I found the A & E has a lousy reputaion. Statistics published - dunno?

Obviously #2 is much more thorough - or are they likely to be a pita?

I wonder about the funding options. Would they be lilkely to pay more out if I undertook to indemnify them for £xx,000 in the event of the claim failing, or simply pay for initial investigations.. I know, you're going to say ask them.
I believe they all take 25% of any award if no win no fee.

Award minimum, for the life alone, is I believe £16k
My loss of her pension for rest of my expected life, would be like, a house.

I'm concerned about publicising the case here . PM would be better?

If I were you I would immediately make a subject access request of all your wife's medical records.
Somehow NHS could "lose" some records now that the patient is deceased.
They have a month to send you everything but if they sniff a medical negligence claim they might take longer by saying that the disclosure is complicated/extensive/coming from different departments.
That could then be passed to the solicitors.

 

[Justin Passing]

If I were you I would immediately make a subject access request of all your wife's medical records.
Somehow NHS could "lose" some records now that the patient is deceased.
They have a month to send you everything but if they sniff a medical negligence claim they might take longer by saying that the disclosure is complicated/extensive/coming from different departments.
That could then be passed to the solicitors.

I'll need letters of admin before I can do that, perhaps, or maybe I have rights as next of kin.
OTOH, if I get the records and match up strictly with the NICE requirements, it shouldn't be too hard to see if they did enough. It's also visible and reported to the GP.
Is it better to let a solicitor do it - dunno.??
.
I'll ask AI - it has generally read all the codes of practice, and can dig out what you're after, in a few seconds.

 

[motorbiking]

If your GP thinks there is a claim, then I would look at a conditional fee arrangement with a proper law firm who specialises in negligence. Try to avoid the “brokers” who will “sell” you on.

 

[johnny2007]

I'll need letters of admin before I can do that, perhaps, or maybe I have rights as next of kin.
OTOH, if I get the records and match up strictly with the NICE requirements, it shouldn't be too hard to see if they did enough. It's also visible and reported to the GP.
Is it better to let a solicitor do it - dunno.??
.
I'll ask AI - it has generally read all the codes of practice, and can dig out what you're after, in a few seconds.

Yes, you have right as next of kin.
Send them the death certificate and they'll have to comply.
Do everything via email to begin with and expect them to try stalling the process.

 

[Justin Passing]

Is it better to get a solicitor to call for the medical records?
Do I just ask for them, or make a complaint?
Dunno who to ask.
Checking the NICE treatment guidelines, they're unclear and a bit wrong. They don't disprove 2 week old MI.

 

[johnny2007]

Is it better to get a solicitor to call for the medical records?
Do I just ask for them, or make a complaint?
Dunno who to ask.
Checking the NICE treatment guidelines, they're unclear and a bit wrong. They don't disprove 2 week old MI.

Google "subject access request", and you'll find template letters.
Then go on the nhs Trust website and see if you find the email for their data protection department, if not, send them an email on the general address and ask for it.
The solicitor request would be same as yours, but I personally prefer to see the records myself so if there's anything missing or incorrect I can challenge it.
Also, very useful to have a look at Data Protection Act 2018 and the UKGDPR on legislation.gov so to be familiar with your rights and their obligations.