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In an emergency situation, urgent and quality medical care is of the utmost importance. Car accidents, near drowning, freak accidents and more can have a devastating effect and the sooner assistance is requested and performed, the better for the patient. According to the South African Constitution, all citizens have the right to urgent medical treatment and it may not be refused in either the private or public sector. However, we've all heard the horrors of people being left for dead in hospital receptions because they cannot pay the ridiculous deposits needed to obtain treatment. If you have been in a situation like this you have the recourse of the law and you can sue a hospital.
To sue a hospital is a mammoth task and it can be a daunting and emotional experience. Most of the hospital groups and the public sector is riddled with red tape and an army of lawyers so be prepared for a long battle. You'll also need to keep in mind that you'll have to retell your story more than once and this can be particularly hard if you have lost a loved one or your life has changed forever.
However, every once in a while a story makes it way to the media where an individual launched a case and they came out as victors.
Recently a man successfully sued a Pretoria hospital for inadequate care that left him paralysed. Even though it has taken a few years, the money can now be used to rebuild his life and adapt his home to suit his requirements.
Health care providers are responsible for ensuring the health and welfare of their patients, and so too have hospitals. In many cases it is the aftercare of a surgery that will determine the success of the operation as well as the likelihood that the patient will make a full recovery.
At Adele van der Walt Attorneys we are passionate about medical law cases - with ample experience we will be able to assist you with your case if you want to sue a hospital.
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