What are defective medical equipment medical negligence claims?

If medical products or equipment are defective or not safe for purpose, they can seriously harm you. If you’ve been treated with defective medical equipment and your condition has been made worse, or it’s caused you additional harm, you may be entitled to claim compensation for medical negligence.

What types of defective medical equipment are there?

Obviously there is a vast amount of equipment used in hospitals and surgeries. Some of the most common types of defective equipment that can lead to a medical negligence claim include:

• Pace-makers or defibrillators
• Cosmetic implants
• Faulty artificial joints, such as knee or hip replacements
• Contraceptive devices
• Cochlear implants
• Prosthetic devices

Other cases can include defective instruments used during the treatment or surgery, such as computers and instruments with moving parts.

Do I have a claim for defective medical equipment?

Our medical negligence solicitors have secured compensation for many patients in regards to a variety of different types of defective medical equipment. If the medical equipment is defective as a result of a manufacturing fault, you may have a defective product liability claim rather than a medical negligence claim.

If defective medical equipment caused you harm, contact us to establish your full legal position.

Who will a defective medical equipment claim be made against?

Your claim is usually made against the hospital trust, the GP’s practice or dental practice responsible for your suffering. However, in some cases, your claim may be made against the manufacturer of the product if the fault is a manufacturing problem. If you’re suffering because of a defective medical product, contact us now and we can help you begin your claim for compensation.

How much does it cost to make a defective medical equipment claim?

The majority of our medical negligence claims are funded by a Conditional Fee Agreement, otherwise known as a No Win No Fee Agreement.

This means if you lose your case, you will not have to pay any fees and therefore, there’s no financial risk to you.

For further information about No Win No Fee agreements, read our Medical Negligence Fees page.

How much can I claim for defective medical equipment negligence?

Every case is different, and the final amount of compensation awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and the affect the injury has had on your life. Additionally, you’ll also be able to claim for any lost earnings, any long-term care, rehabilitation and any necessary house adaptations to maximise the chance of recovery and independent living.

We’ll also ensure that any compensation claim includes the cost of everything necessary to provide you with the best quality of life possible in the future, such as future care costs, future treatment and future loss of earnings.

To establish your full legal position, call us on freephone 0330 041 5869.

How much time do I have to claim?

If you believe you have a claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a lawyer who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

Generally, a claim should be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date you were first aware that you had suffered a significant injury or illness due to negligence. However, there are exceptions.

To read more about the time limits of making a claim, please read read our medical negligence FAQs or our medical negligence claims guide.

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

We have many years' experience securing compensation for those who’ve suffered as a result of defective medical equipment caused by medical negligence and will handle your case with the utmost sensitivity and with great care.

As well as lawyers who are experts in the field of medical negligence, we also have trained nurses and midwives on our team. We offer home and hospital visits and provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support.

Contact us for a free consultation to help you understand whether or not you have a claim.

Can I change my solicitors to Slater and Gordon?

If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.