General Practices Negligence Claims
At Julian Johnson Lawyers, our medical negligence lawyers help you pursue compensation where a doctor failed to diagnose a condition or provided substandard care in a general practice setting. You may be able to sue a doctor for negligence when there has been a delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, or failure to refer for further investigation, and we provide clear legal guidance to help you understand your rights and the compensation you may be entitled to.
Suing a Doctor for Negligence
If you’ve suffered harm because a doctor failed to diagnose your condition or provide appropriate care, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. Situations involving misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis or inadequate treatment can have serious and lasting consequences, particularly when early intervention could have prevented further harm. If you are considering whether you can sue a doctor for negligence, our experienced team can provide clear advice and guide you through your options.
We have handled repeated breast cancer cases against GPs for failing to follow accepted principles for investigating breast concerns, including application of the well-known ‘triple test.’
Because of the scale of numbers of patients being seen, doctors in a modern general practice must have clear and robust systems for following up patient test results and ensuring patient review/referral. In recent times we have noted a growth in ‘systems failure’ claims, relating essentially to clerical or administrative errors leading to inaccurate advice as to test results, follow up recommendations or counselling, sometimes with very serious consequences (and in several cases, tragically life-ending consequences).
Patients can sue a doctor for various negligence claims, these include:
- Negligent failure to inform patient of presence of breast cancer on FNA;
- Failure to advise a patient of elevated markers, indicating a higher risk for various cancers (for example PSA for prostate cancer);
- Failure to investigate persistent headaches (due to undiagnosed coloid cyst);
- Failure to perform careful clinical examination of patient’s concerning breast lump;
- Negligent management of Warfarin medication + monitoring of INR levels;
- Negligent failure to investigate coughing of blood, due to undiagnosed dvt and pulmonary emboli;
- Negligent failure to investigate and diagnose heart attack, including the management of elevated cholesterol and blood pressure.
THINKING ABOUT SUING A DOCTOR FOR NEGLIGENCE? SPEAK WITH AN EXPERIENCED MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LAWYER
Our specialised medical negligence lawyers are committed to handling your case with the utmost sensitivity, care, and respect. If you’re wanting to sue a doctor, you’ll have peace of mind in knowing our highly accredited team bring with them a wealth of medical law experience and knowledge to every case.
Our team has taken matters through to trial in the District Court and Court of Appeal. Whether you’re just seeking advice or would like to sue a doctor for negligence, you’ll be in safe hands with Julian Johnson Lawyers. Read more about us here or contact our Perth office today on (08) 6380 0700.
ABOUT JULIAN JOHNSON LAWYERS
Renowned as Perth’s leading medical negligence lawyers, JJ Law is headed by Kimberley Bavin and Anna Sundararajan. Together, they embody JJ Law’s commitment to delivering some of Perth’s highest quality and specialised legal services in the medical field.
KIMBERLEY BAVIN
Kimberley, a Notre Dame University Australia alumna, honed her litigation skills during a significant career stint at Bradley Bayly Legal. With her deep involvement in high-stakes court cases, Kimberley is renowned for her dedication to medical negligence claims.
ANNA SUNDARARAJAN
Anna, having joined the firm in 2017, uniquely combines her legal acumen with a rich nursing background. This experience enriches her approach to complex legal cases. Together, they embody JJ Law’s commitment to delivering some of Perth’s highest quality and specialised legal services in the medical field.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SUING A DOCTOR FOR NEGLIGENCE
Can I sue a GP for medical negligence?
In Western Australia, you may be able to bring a claim against a general practitioner (GP) if you believe they provided substandard care that caused injury or harm.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BELIEVE MY DOCTOR OR GP HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT?
If you believe a doctor or GP has been negligent, the first step is to seek legal advice from an experienced medical negligence lawyer. At Julian Johnson Lawyers, we can review your medical records and the circumstances of your treatment to assess whether there may be grounds for a claim. It is important to act promptly, as strict time limits apply to medical negligence claims in Western Australia.
How long does a general practice lawsuit take?
How to sue a doctor FOR NEGLIGENCE in Australia?
Suing a doctor for negligence involves proving that the doctor breached their duty of care and caused harm. This process usually starts with obtaining medical records and expert opinions. An experienced medical negligence lawyer can guide you through each step.
What types of general practice errors can lead to a claim?
Claims may arise from doctors failing to diagnose, misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, failure to refer to a specialist, prescribing errors, or inadequate follow-up care. Not every poor outcome is negligence, which is why expert assessment is important.
Can I claim for misdiagnosis by a general practitioner?
If the misdiagnosis fell below an acceptable standard of care and caused harm, you may have a claim. Each case depends on the medical evidence, the extent of harm caused and the circumstances surrounding the diagnosis.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO SUE A DOCTOR FOR NEGLIGENCE?
Time limits apply and vary by state and situation. In many cases, the limitation period starts when you become aware of the injury and its cause. Early advice helps protect your rights.
Will my general practice negligence case go to court or be settled out of court?
Many GP negligence claims are resolved through negotiation or settlement without going to court. However, some cases do proceed to court if a settlement cannot be reached. Your lawyer will advise you on the best approach for your case.
THE FIRST STEP: CONTACT US
Suing The Doctor For Medical Negligence
Under the legal system in Australia, a doctor can be sued if a breach in duty of care resulting in harm or injury has occurred. We understand that often deciding to investigate a claim is a very big first step to take. Most people are frightened of or at least apprehensive of the legal system, lawyers, or at the thought of suing a doctor or ‘the medical profession.’
WE’RE HERE TO HELP
At Julian John Lawyers, we understand that pursuing a claim against your doctor can be a daunting task. We have successfully helped clients bring claims against their medical provider and can help you investigate your case and navigate the legal system. To make it as easy as possible, just fill out the form and we will contact you to let you know whether we think investigating a claim is something you should think about. There’s no obligation and no fee involved.
If you’d prefer, we can even just send you an email answering your question (if it is simple enough) or pointing you in the right direction. To find out whether you can pursue a medical negligence claim and sue the doctor, contact Julian Johnson Lawyers today. If we think a claim is worth investigating, we’ll arrange to meet for a coffee and a chat.
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