Medical Malpractice FAQs

What is medical malpractice?

Medical malpractice is an act of professional negligence by an individual or body providing medical treatment. It refers to mistakes and other incidents caused by incompetence or oversight, but also includes genuine accidents.

What is the difference between medical indemnity and medical malpractice?

Very little, and in most circles they mean exactly the same thing.

Who does medical malpractice apply to?

Anyone providing medical treatment in any form. This can range from doctors and nurses to psychologists, chiropractors and even beauticians.

Is medical malpractice insurance a legal requirement in the UK?

No, but considering the costs of even an unsuccessful claim, it is strongly recommended. If a claim were to be made, without medical malpractice insurance it could likely prove ruinous to both you and your business.

Does medical malpractice insurance only cover me at work?

Ordinarily your employer’s medical malpractice insurance will cover all healthcare activities delivered in a professional capacity, so within the line of duty. However this may not be the case for medical treatment that you are not necessarily qualified to give, or for Samaritan acts that take place outside of work.

What is the likelihood of someone making a claim?

From the victim’s point of view, medical malpractice claims are somewhat difficult to prove and are often not made until some time after the event as it can take some time to comprehensively establish a cause. Whilst not all claims are successful, thousands are still made every year at huge cost to the healthcare sector. It is also thought that many more incidents of negligence and near misses go unreported.

If you have any more questions about your exposure to medical malpractice, call now on 0117 9556835