reply to post by altered_states
You really should contact a SPECIALISED barrister for this.
Many will do this on the following basis.
Ring a SPECIALISED lawyer, get their number from a charity or support group directly related to your mums illness.
He will take a phone or personal interveiw with you, assess if any case if worth pursuing from your initial consultation, then send out a pack to
complete, with release of medical records form for your mum or LPA (lasting power of Attorney research this my freind both the financial and medical
aspects), when the medical notes are recieved he will instruct send them to a Barrister as stated, who will reveiw the case, and decide what liklihood
the chance of claiming damages are financially, and also the malpractise route.
They will then write to you stating their acceptance of the case if they feel it is above a 50% odd percent chance of winning in court, they will
proceed if not they wont (though you can still do it yourselves, but complicated and difficult).
Up to the above point it should be ascertained by yourself initially and by reading all documentation there is NO fee or charges, and the only fee
comes from a percentage of any compensation if it goes to court and is won.
All this would be explained in full in the barristers letter, costs, percentages etc if they write accepting the case, and ask for your mums or dads
if unable to make her own choices (look into mental capacity act 2005 for this) signature and acceptance before they can proceed.
My freind my family were told I would never walk, talk, or function again in society if i was lucky enough to be in the 30% who made it through the
next 24 hours.... that was end nov 2004. That I was going to die that night (again lol) And to say goodbye. A week later given a 20% chance of
"limited mobility, with profound behavioural problems and he will need 24 hour care" again 20% of this scenario if I lived that was the ONLY outcome
they said was possible.
Dec 21st that is month later I walked unaided out of the hospital with no medication, as I refused it and no care and support in place. Have managed
teams since then, worked as a named person in a regulatory environment (due to previous roles qualifications) and no one is aware of any of it, when I
rarely, usually to help them with a situation tell some people and they see the pics, or find out what happened to me they are to put it mildly
shocked.
Doctors are amazing things but also Mechanics, and what got me out aside from some amazing healing in my NDE was waking up in ICU realising slowly
waht situation I was in and having cared for for want of a better word "vegtables" previously for many years making a firm judgement that WOULD not
be me. I ignored them, their diagnosis talk of what was going to happen etc etc, what they had made others think close to me etc and got myself
better.
I also saw others who had little wrong with them that gradually or quickly got worse very quickly, so it is a bit of Karma, a bit of a lottery mixed
in with your own mindset to.
I now myself care for someone in my family, who is experiencing neurodegeneration which is not reversable so really my heart does go out to you, you
and your mum and dad are in my prayers tonight, And I hope the energy that healed and communicated with me when I was soo very close to finality
listens and eases your pain somewhat.
Good Luck fight for your rights financially for any compensation, and also to ensure any bad practise is recognised.
Phone and Phone and harrass, social services, your GP the OT's get respite, contact the Citizens advice and make sure your dad and mum are getting
the right benefits, mobility higher rate, attendance allowance higher rate, carers allowance. Get the local community nurse involved. Get social
services through the local council to ensure carers call in 2-3 times a day to help with personal care, medication, housework, even if only for 1/2
hour morning and night to let your dad get out and take a walk, to relax. really push them as they dont come to you. You have to be persistent but
help is there.
One last thing, if your mum has had any cognitive degeneration as a result and its not just physical remember no matter what her state she can hear
you, she is aware... I know that personally from being a coma, things are not always as they seem to us, speak nicely always around her, say positive
things, lie even "doctors saying she is getting much better every week they are amazed etc"... she still smells, hears etc... so make her sensory
environment full of what she loved and likes... On the last bit even if all physical etc...
Dont let her suffering be yours and yours dads to, grow from it, give thanks for your health, appreciate more, see the patiance and oppurtunity you
have to show love and care for someone... there are diamonds in this crap heap of tragedy that life has thrown your familes way, the secret is to see
them and find them.
Love to you all
Elf.