Are doctors cash cows in white coats?
The steady rise in medical negligence claims has had a startling affect on not only the industry but on the perception individuals currently hold in regards to those in the medical profession. Gone are the days where a doctor was a revered member of society, now it appears they are cash cows in white coats, or jingling purses sitting behind a consultation desk.
Some of the claims that have been settled have involved vast amounts of cash, one such case involved the actress Leslie Ash, who in January of this year had the misfortune of contracting the power bug MSSA. The misfortune turned into a bit of a fortune as she was awarded £5 million for her troubles.
So far the highest paid settlement involved a professional dancer who during childbirth had a heart attack and subsequently suffered from brain damage. Such high payouts are not common place, but during times of financial difficulty the mere knowledge that one can get a “few hundred pounds” if they are “scratched during an operation” as offered by NHSLA may encourage the pursuit of a claim.
Updated on 8/4/2008