Nerve damage compensation claims can arise when a medical professional has failed to provide a patient with adequate treatment and this has led to the patient having nerve damage. Nerve damage can have significant, potentially life long impacts for patients and can be devastating for patients and their families. Nerve damage claims can account for millions of pounds being spent by the NHS and can have devastating impacts. 

In this article, we will be looking at the nerve damage claim statistics that have been released by the NHS. 

Statistics surrounding nerve damage claims made to the NHS

A document released by the NHS provides an extensive overview of the clinical claims that were received by the NHS where the primary injury was nerve damage, the data is from 2009 to 2021. 

During this period, there were a total of 3,534 clinical claims received by the NHS where the primary injury was nerve damage. 

Between the financial years of 2009/10 to 2020/21 the NHS spent £476,638,204 on clinical claims where the primary injury was nerve damage. 

• In 2009/10  £14,374,015 was the total amount paid
• In 2010/11 – £29,493,123 was the total amount paid
• In 2011/12 – £32,581,156 was the total amount paid 
• In 2012/13 – £28,233,805 was the total amount paid 
• In 2013/14 – £29,054,264 was the total amount paid 
• In 2014/15 – £39,549,733 was the total amount paid 
• In 2015/16 – £35,458,822 was the total amount paid 
• In 2016/17 – £44,379,612 was the total amount paid 
• In 2017/18 – £57,315,548 was the total amount paid 
• In 2018/19 – £58,546,933 was the total amount paid
• In 2019/20 – £51,215,258 was the total amount paid 
• In 2020/21 – £56,435,935 was the total amount paid

The highest primary specialties for clinical claims where the primary injury was nerve damage that were closed between the financial years 2009/10 – 2021/21 were: 

• Orthopaedic surgery which had a total of 593 claims closed 
• Emergency medicine which had a total of 260 claims closed
• General surgery which had a total of 159 claims closed 
• Neurosurgery which had a total of 105 claims closed 
• Oral and maxillo facial surgery which had a total of 85 claims closed 
• Otorhinolaryngology/ ENT which had a total of 73 claims closed 
• Anaesthesia which had a total of 73 claims closed 
• Dentistry which had a total of 63 claims closed 
• Gynaecology which had a total of 50 claims closed 
• Plastic surgery which had a total of 43 claims closed 

The highest primary causes where clinical claims with the primary injury being nerve damage were closed were:

• Intra-op problems which had 423 claims closed
• Failure/ delay of treatment which had 281 claims closed
• Failure/ delay of diagnosis which had 261 claims closed 
• Failure to warn-informed consent which had 190 claims closed 
• Inappropriate treatment which had 132 claims closed 
• Operator error which had 113 claims closed 
• Failure to recognise complication which had 100 claims closed 

The impact of medical negligence causing nerve damage 

If a patient receives nerve damage due to medical negligence, it can cause harm and suffering to patients. Nerves play a pivotal role in the functioning of our bodies and when medical professionals fail to provide a duty of care and this results in nerve damage, the consequences to patients can be devastating. The symptoms that patients may experience are: 

• Numbness and tingling in their hands and feet 
• Stabbing/ shooting pains in the affected areas 
• A loss of balance and coordination 
• Muscle weakness 

Usually, these symptoms are constant for the patients. These symptoms could diminish a patient’s quality of life and could also affect their ability to perform everyday tasks, go to work and engage in their usual activities. Mental and emotional well being can also be affected due to nerve damage. 

Nerve damage claims 

Nerve damage claims can arise when a patient’s nerves are damaged due to medical negligence, such as a surgeon negligently performing surgery.  If any medical professional has failed to provide a patient with adequate care, it may lead to nerve damage, these types of claims can include: 

• Nerve damage caused by a tumour removal surgery 
• Hip and knee replacement surgeries where nerves have been severed 
• A hernia surgery that has damaged the inguinal and genitofemoral nerve 
• A spinal cord injury that has been caused by caudal epidural and facet joint injection 
• Median nerve damage or radial nerve damage that has been inflicted while taking blood from the arm 

If you have experienced any nerve damage, it can have a significant impact on your life, it can lead to health complications as well as emotional and financial distress. If you have suffered nerve damage due to medical negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. However it is important to note that not all cases of nerve damage are due to medical negligence. 

At Patient Claim Line, we work on a no win no fee basis, so if you believe you have suffered nerve damage due to medical negligence, you can find out for free whether you are able to make a claim. Our medical negligence experts will be able to guide you through your claims process, get in touch today to see if you could be entitled to nerve damage compensation.