One of the biggest problems in society today is the stereotyping of people with disabilities. These boxed in ideas of disabled people almost degrade them into a rather sub-human category where they are perceived to be weak, helpless, passive, unable to take responsibility for themselves, or to make decisions, and so forth. The South African Constitution protects disability rights, stating that people with disabilities have just as much rights as those without a disability.

One of the biggest issues is not informing or including the patient with a disability of any decisions that needs to be made, especially in the medical division. When medical professionals do not inform patients with disabilities in such situations, deciding on the patient’s behalf what they perceive as being in the best interest of the patient, it is considered to be unlawful, and the South African human rights and common law give the patient with a disability way for recourse.

If you do feel that medical professionals have gone against your disability rights, contact Adele van der Walt Attorneys. With their experience of medical malpractice cases they will assist you in taking a stand, lodging your complaint against such prejudice at the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and advise you on your merits to pursue a civil claim. You can be certain that the team at Adele van der Walt Attorneys will assist you from the moment you enter their door, until your rights as a disabled person has been fulfilled.

For more information on this subject, please give us a call at 012 460 3668 (SA)
or e-mail us at linda@avdw.co.za