PhilM Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Hi guys. Feeling a lot better today although still quite tearful. I know some people will criticise this decision which is fine but I spent a lot of time online today and I found two firms that deal with litigation to do with mental/anxiety disorder issues. I feel like I have nothing to lose. So basically I am going to be suing my trust for zero treatment and also my surgery for mis-prescribing my medication which knocked me to bits and left me feeling like killing myself because the withdrawal was so sudden. I have nothing to lose. I am cynical about these "no win, no fee" firms but I looked at a lot of websites and these two seemed the best. Phil Link to comment
Caramoole Posted June 22, 2016 Share Posted June 22, 2016 Maybe you should put it on the back burner for now and wait until you get this withdrawal under control and are feeling a bit better. I'm sure you can do without any extra stress right now Link to comment
PhilM Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 I still can't get my head around the doses. even the registrar on Monday was insisting 1mg of L was the equivalent of 5mg of D NOT 10mg. Very very confused... Link to comment
PhilM Posted June 23, 2016 Author Share Posted June 23, 2016 The registrar was reluctant to put me back on the higher dose. I don't actually feel that bad at the moment. Not so tearful etc. which is obviously because I am back on a higher dose but boy am I angry with the "schoolboy" error which the GP made. The legal action issue isn't that difficult - I spoke to a woman yesterday from a specific firm I had done quite a bit of research for about 20 minutes. She then spoke to her supervisor and rang me back and said "yes, we think you've got a good case". The zero treatment (except meds) is a different issue but honestly the process wasn't stressful and they seem to do 90 per cent of the work for you. I know that sounds too easy but it does appear to be the case. PS Why should the Trust and my surgery get away with the way they have treated me? Link to comment
snowbear Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 On 23/06/2016 at 11:52, PhilM said: PS Why should the Trust and my surgery get away with the way they have treated me? They shouldn't. But is suing them the way to go? What is it you hope to achieve by going the legal route? Are you looking for financial compensation, or justice, or to 'have your day in court' so you can make your grievance public? Or are you hoping to get appropriate care and treatment in the future? If so, from whom? Know what it is you want before you start. The legal firms will always make it sound easy because if they get you a bit of compensation cash, they get to take a lot of it. It pays them to go down that route. But if what you really want (and need) is better care in future, a legal case won't achieve that. It might even jeopardise it, depending on how much choice you have to register with different GP surgeries or whether there are alternative mental health facilities available in your area. When you're angry and upset it's understandable to reach for the legal people, especially when they promise you justice without any intent of getting it for you. When you're in a rough place mentally, it's even harder to step away from the anger and think straight, as you would if you were feeling more yourself. If you want to sue, go for it. But look into other options first and consider waiting until you are in a stable state of mind before you make your move. It's sickening, but the legal defenders of those you sue will use your mental state against you. Be prepared for them to claim you are a liar and a fantasist, just because you're mentally ill. And don't expect the courts to support you as 'rational and capable' even when you are. The reality of having a mental illness in court is painfully unfair, unjust and unkind. Go into it with your eyes open. Link to comment
PhilM Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 Hi PB. As usual you make a lot of sense. No, there is no financial motivation but I want the surgery and its alleged highly experienced GPs to learn from what has happened and I don't think that is going to happen during a one to one conversation. As you may have read on another post on the first "Post" page that after complaining to the CEO of my local health trust I have now been offered 16 sessions of CBT with an experienced OCD specialist which is amazing. Thanks again for your feedback. PS I'm not being cheeky or pedantic but I don't regard myself as mentally ill but as having an anxiety based disorder!! Link to comment
Caramoole Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Just to raise one of Snowbears points, have you considered how/where/whom you are going to put in place to provide GP support? Link to comment
PhilM Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Hi C.I don't understand your query x Link to comment
Caramoole Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 Because it is possible that if you take legal action against them you may be taken off your GP Surgery list and you may even find it difficult finding another surgery of your choice. Link to comment
PhilM Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 Hi guys. On reflection I had to decide what my motivation was and I came to the conclusion it was mostly spite and anger. We are all fallible as is my GP and one mistake doesn't make her a rubbish doctor. Therefore, I will not be pursuing a legal action. Taking a step back and thinking about it rationally I know what people wrote on here was right so as always - thank you. Link to comment
snowbear Posted June 27, 2016 Share Posted June 27, 2016 I read somewhere else your complaint letter got you 16 weeks CBT - so good result without all the legal fuss! All's well that ends well. Link to comment
whitebeam Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 23 hours ago, PhilM said: Hi guys. On reflection I had to decide what my motivation was and I came to the conclusion it was mostly spite and anger. We are all fallible as is my GP and one mistake doesn't make her a rubbish doctor. Therefore, I will not be pursuing a legal action. Taking a step back and thinking about it rationally I know what people wrote on here was right so as always - thank you. I think you're probably right to make this decision.......we all make mistakes - it's just when a doctor makes one the consequences can be so drastic. i think there is a difference between a mistake and neglect. I think you will probably feel better about yourself if you don't take legal action - especially if your motivation was as you said. I am considering taking legal action against the people who rented our house and then left owing arrears and leaving it in an absolutely disgusting state - filthy, smelling disgusting and with a lot of damage. (We had to go to court to get them to leave in the first place). We have recouped the arrears (we had taken out an insurance for this) but we have had to spend a lot of money and time in getting it back to a habitable condition.....which has caused me upset (quite a slip back into OCD territory due to the filth and the smell), mr whitebeam and I both stress and anxiety and the loss of rent for about 4 months. Quote On reflection I had to decide what my motivation was and I came to the conclusion it was mostly spite and anger. To be honest I think this is my main motivation............but at the moment I don't care (probably because i am still angry and therefore feeling a bit vindictive ) I'll let you know if I do pursue them...... I have also written a very lengthy and detailed complaint to the management agency who were overseeing the rental.......we have yet to hear from them....... Link to comment
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