Trusts pay over £1bn in surgery error compensation

NHS trusts have paid out over £1bn in compensation for surgery errors since 2019, new research has found.

(c) National Cancer Institute/Unsplash

(c) National Cancer Institute/Unsplash

The figures obtained by Medical Negligence Assist showed the highest claim between 2019 and 2024 was £263,511,399.

Medical negligence solicitor for JF Law, Gareth Lloyd, said: ‘The chances of a patient suffering a surgical error are remote, yet every operation carries with it a number of risks, and if something goes wrong, there can be lifelong consequences.'

Medical Negligence Assist said 12,000 medicolegal claims were brought against the NHS in England every year, costing £8bn, or 6.7% of the NHS England budget.

From 2019 to 2024, 11,405 claims regarding surgical errors were lodged against NHS Trusts, 8,400 of which were settled.

You can find out more about Medical Negligence Assist's research and statistics here: https://www.medicalnegligenceassist.co.uk

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