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Persistent Vegetative State compensation claims

People are precious. The sight of a person in the persistent vegetative state is harrowing to their friends and family. It also provokes intense debate and raises profound questions.

We are dedicated to asserting the rights of people suffering from these terrible injuries. We will help you to get the facts straight and understand the reality of the situation.

Key contact

Ruth Powell

Partner

Ruth is a Partner and Head of our Clinical Negligence Department. She has exclusively practised in clinical negligence since qualifying in 1995 and has a wealth of experience in complex and high value clinical negligence claims.


Continued Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)

A person who has been in a vegetative state for more than one month is said to be in a persistent vegetative state. Then if this continues for longer than a year they are considered to be in a permanent vegetative state.

The longer a patient is in a vegetative state the less likely there is any chance of recovery. After approximately a year is the stage at which doctors consider withdrawing treatment.

In many cases the decision to withdraw treatment from a patient in PVS may understandably be opposed by the patient’s family.

If someone that you love is suffering from PVS then it is clearly an emotionally harrowing time for you and your family. The heartache and pain that you are feeling means that it is exceptionally difficult to make the right decisions for your loved one.

The specialist team of medical negligence lawyers, also known as clinical negligence lawyers, at Hugh James understands the conflicting pressures and concerns that are felt by families of PVS sufferers.

We have considerable experience in assisting people to navigate through the legal and medical jargon to help them do the right thing for their loved ones.

A person who has been in a vegetative state for more than one month is said to be in a persistent vegetative state. Then if this continues for longer than a year they are considered to be in a permanent vegetative state.

The longer a patient is in a vegetative state the less likely there is any chance of recovery. After approximately a year is the stage at which doctors consider withdrawing treatment.

In many cases the decision to withdraw treatment from a patient in PVS may understandably be opposed by the patient’s family.

If someone that you love is suffering from PVS then it is clearly an emotionally harrowing time for you and your family. The heartache and pain that you are feeling means that it is exceptionally difficult to make the right decisions for your loved one.

The specialist team of medical negligence lawyers, also known as clinical negligence lawyers, at Hugh James understands the conflicting pressures and concerns that are felt by families of PVS sufferers.

We have considerable experience in assisting people to navigate through the legal and medical jargon to help them do the right thing for their loved ones.

Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) is caused as a result of severe injury to the part of the brain.

A person in a vegetative state may seem to be awake yet unable to feel mental distress or physical pain. It is common after someone has been in a coma.

While some describe those in a persistent vegetative state as “brain dead,” in fact, the lower brain stem in PVS patients is still healthy and fully functioning.

As a result, patients in persistent vegetative states can:

  • Blink and otherwise move their eyes
  • Breathe on their own
  • Cry or laugh, though not as an emotional response to external events
  • Enjoy normal circulation
  • Experience regular sleep-wake cycles
  • Move their limbs, though purely as reflex (PVS patients can’t hold their limbs nor move them on command)
  • Open their eyes
  • Smile
  • Track objects with their eyes

There is no treatment available that can reverse the effects of vegetative state, but some people do make a recovery. Although some do regain consciousness they may remain permanently brain damaged.


How we can help

We know that many people are unaware of the rights that are available to them at this time.

We can guide and assist you by:

  • Listening to your concerns
  • Helping you to understand medical and legal advice
  • Advising you of the patient’s rights
  • Advising you of your rights
  • Advising you on available courses of action

We treat every client with sensitivity and care, whilst aiming at the same time to deliver results.

If you, or a member of your family, need help preventing life saving treatment being withdrawn from a loved one, or believe PVS has been brought on by the negligence of someone else, please contact one of our expert solicitors today for free advice and guidance.


Hugh James medical negligence experience

Over the years, the medical negligence experts at Hugh James have successfully recovered damages for many patients and have become experts in this field of medical negligence.

We have access to the best specialist medical experts to enable us to obtain evidence of past and possible future needs to ensure that you are adequately compensated for the disability you suffer.

We treat every client with sensitivity and care, whilst aiming at the same time to deliver results including the highest financial settlement possible.

We are able to assist you on a no win, no fee basis.

If you or a member of your family has suffered as a result of a medical negligence, contact our friendly and approachable team today.

If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice session.

We are dedicated to your best interests and can advise you on how to proceed.

If you believe that you have a claim in relation to medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence, then please contact us now.


Next steps

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