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Blood Clot Claims – How Much Compensation?

Around 1 in every 1000 people experiences a venous thromboembolism (VT) annually, with two-thirds involving deep vein thrombosis. While some blood clots are virtually harmless, others can be life-threatening without prompt, correct treatment. Substandard care can also lead to the condition being inadequately managed, resulting in unnecessary harm to patients. It is in such situations that patients may start wondering, ‘How much compensation for blood clot claims?’

Key Takeaways

  • There are 3 main types of blood clots: deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and arterial thrombosis.
  • Blood clots can occur following surgery, due to immobility, or as a result of damage to a blood vessel.
  • They aren’t always the result of negligent care, as blood clots are a known risk in many treatments.
  • Medical negligence might involve symptoms being missed, scans being misinterpreted or mixed up, or high-risk patients not being referred for appropriate testing.

If you’d like to get started with your own blood clot claim, you can reach our advisors by:

A diagnostic form with the words 'deep vein thrombosis' written on the document

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How Much Compensation For Blood Clot Claims Is Awarded?
  2. Can Compensation For Blood Clots Cover Financial Losses?
  3. Am I Able To Make A Blood Clot Compensation Claim?
  4. £48,000 Compensation For A Blood Clot
  5. What Are The Different Types Of Blood Clots?
  6. What Are Some Blood Clot Medical Negligence Examples?
  7. How Can I Begin A Blood Clot Compensation Claim?
  8. Get Help From How Much Compensation For Blood Clot Claims
  9. More Information

How Much Compensation For Blood Clot Claims Is Awarded?

In medical negligence cases, how much compensation for blood clot claims that can be awarded depends on general and special damages. 

General damages would compensate you for your pain and suffering, together with any impact on quality of life. Where this harm has financial implications, then special damages may be claimed for. 

Our table below shows suggested compensation brackets taken from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). Solicitors use this document for calculating compensation, as it matches those brackets with various forms of harm.

Please keep in mind that the top entry has not been taken from the JCG, and this table is not a guarantee of compensation. 

Injury NotesCompensation
Multiple Severe Forms of Harm + Special DamagesSpecial damages might be for lost earnings or care costsUp to £1,000,000+
TetraplegiaFactors considered include age, degree of residual movement, and level of independence. will reduce the award.£396,140 to £493,000
ParaplegiaAge and presence of pain will impact the amount awarded£267,340 to £346,890
Very Severe Brain DamageBracket will consider issues such as sensory impairment and level of insight£344,150 to £493,000
Moderately Severe Brain DamageConsiderations include level of dependence and capacity to communicate £267,340 to £344,150
Severe (a) Chest Damage (a)
Total removal of a lung and/or heart damage that is serious (in worst case)£122,850 to £183,190
Severe (c) Chest DamageSome continuing disability due to chest and lung damage£38,210 to £66,920
Severe (b) Bowel DamageComplete loss of natural functionUp to £183,190
Seriously Impaired Bladder ControlSome pain and incontinence£78,080 to £97,540
Leg DamageAbove the knee amputation of 1 leg£127,930 to £167,760

For a more tailored discussion of compensation, speak with an advisor and benefit from a free, carefully considered case assessment.

Can Compensation For Blood Clots Cover Financial Losses?

Yes, compensation for blood clots does cover financial losses if they are a direct result of avoidable harm. These costs can include:

  • Loss of earnings
  • Costs of care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Adaptations
  • Medical expenses

No matter the loss, special damages need evidence in order to be claimed for. This proof commonly includes bank statements, payslips, invoices, and receipts.

By working with a solicitor from our panel, you could get help gathering this evidence. Get in touch today if you have any questions about this support. 

A medical professional wearing late gloves while holding a blood bag

Am I Able To Make A Blood Clot Compensation Claim?

You may be able to make a blood clot compensation claim if you can establish that you have suffered unnecessarily due to substandard care. This involves demonstrating that: 

  • A medical professional or facility owed you a duty of care
  • This duty was breached
  • The breach led to avoidable and unnecessary harm

As a patient, you are expected to receive a standard of care that meets minimum standards. This is the duty of care referred to above. However, as touched on at the start of this guide, the effects of a blood clot will not always be caused by substandard care. In some cases, they are simply unavoidable, even when the medical team meets their duty of care.

If you have any questions about what may constitute medical negligence, please contact our advisory team today and continue reading this guide to blood clot claims. 

£48,000 Compensation For A Blood Clot

Mrs C received £48,000 in compensation for a blood clot following her experience of substandard medical care. She had gone to her GP after both legs swelled significantly following surgery. 

Despite acknowledging her concerns, her GP failed to perform a physical examination of her legs. This delayed a diagnosis of DVT, allowing her health to worsen and leading to a pulmonary embolism. 

Subsequently, Mrs C was admitted to the hospital with severe chest pain and breathing difficulties. By this point, she had suffered extensive lung damage and was left with long-term cardiac issues.

Mrs C was awarded £40,500 for the damage to her chest and lungs, and £7,500 to compensate her for lost earnings, mobility aids, and privately-funded medical treatment. 

This case study has been created for illustrative purposes; to begin your own blood clot compensation claim, speak with an advisor today. 

What Are The Different Types Of Blood Clots?

There are 2 different types of blood clots based on whether they are in the veins (venous clots) or the arteries (arterial clots). Venous clots have many causes, and may arise in patients who are immobile, suffer from serious infections, or have particular medical conditions.

One of the main types of venous clots is deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which tends to develop in the legs. In some cases, a DVT may travel through the body and begin to block arteries. This is referred to as a pulmonary embolism, which can be potentially fatal if not treated in a timely manner.

If you have any questions or want to get a free case assessment, simply speak with an advisor to start the process straightaway.

A graphic highlights one side of the brain in red

What Are Some Blood Clot Medical Negligence Examples?

Below, you’ll find some blood clot medical negligence examples:

  • Misdiagnosis: A patient reports several warning signs of a serious blood clot. However, they are instead diagnosed with anxiety without any further tests being ordered. The patient subsequently develops severe lung damage. 
  • Surgical negligence: The post-operative team overlooks that their patient is at high risk of blood clots. This results in them not failing to prescribe blood thinners, leading to a DVT and amputation.

To discuss your own experience in confidence, please speak to our team of friendly advisors today.

How Can I Begin A Blood Clot Compensation Claim?

In order to begin a blood clot claim, you need to start collecting proof showing how you suffered unnecessarily because of substandard care. You’ll also have to be sure that the claim is being filed within 3 years of the medical negligence, or the date that you became aware of it. This is set by the Limitation Act 1980, but there are exceptions which we discuss in our dedicated guide on time limits

If you’re certain that you have enough time to claim, your focus will be on proving that medical negligence occurred. This may include your GP record and notes highlighting any immediate or long-term effects of the blood clot. 

We appreciate that this can sound like a lot to take in, but working with one of our expert solicitors on our panel means you wouldn’t face the task of proving your claim alone. You can find out more about this help by speaking with our advisory team and reading our medical negligence evidence guide.

A specialist solicitor outlines how to make a blood clot negligence claim for their client

Get Help From How Much Compensation For Blood Clot Claims

From the outset, you can get help from How Much Compensation’s empathetic advisory service to start the blood clot claims process. They work throughout the week to offer free, carefully reviewed assessments and can put eligible claimants in touch with our highly experienced panel of medical negligence solicitors. With a personalised approach and support at every stage, our panel of solicitors work tirelessly to advocate for their clients.

As part of their client-focused commitment, our panel of solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis through the use of a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement. What this means is that you wouldn’t be charged any upfront or ongoing service fees for a solicitor to begin working on your case. In fact, you’d pay nothing in these solicitor fees whatsoever if your claim were to fail.

If your case wins, your solicitor will deduct a percentage of the compensation as a success fee. This fee is something our clients always have questions about, but it’s always fully explained from the outset, and the percentage is capped by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.

By choosing to work with one of the solicitors from our panel, you can expect:

  • Support through every stage of your claim
  • Regular, clear, and concise updates about the progress of your claim 
  • Help with evidence gathering 
  • Working closely with you to develop a rehabilitation plan that suits your needs

Contact Our Team Of Advisors

Get started with your claim today by contacting our team of advisors using the contact details below:

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  • michael-higgins - Author

    Working within one of our panel firms of legal experts, Michael is a highly experienced legal professional. Since February 2023, he has been the Deputy Manager of Road Traffic Accidents, bringing over 14 years of dedicated experience to representing victims of road traffic accidents and fiercely advocating for his clients.

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