Urologist Liability: Get Compensation

Questioner

Ir/Madam, In 2009 I had an internal bladder examination due to recurring complaints that are not usual for a 20-year-old man. After treatment I had no problems for a few years, but for about 2 years the complaints have been coming back and increasingly severe. I now live in France for my studies, and my current GP referred me to a clinic there for some examinations. A urologist discovered through ultrasound that there is very likely a part of an instrument (probably just a piece of plastic) left in my bladder since my internal bladder examination in 2009, due to negligence of the urologist who treated me at the time. I will soon have another bladder test to confirm this, and if so, I can be treated immediately. I will not have any permanent damage. It is true that I have been walking around with health problems in recent years that were actually unnecessary. The examinations are no fun, and the embarrassing inflammations even worse, with the result that, for example, a former employer did not renew my contract because of my frequent absences. Small detail: I am no longer a Dutch resident, so I no longer have Dutch health and legal expenses insurance, although I now have such insurance in France. Medical costs that I have incurred are almost completely reimbursed. I would like to know whether I can hold the urologist from 2009 liable for his negligence, whether I might be eligible for compensation, and what steps I should take. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Lawyer

Dear questioner, First of all, I wish you much strength and hope that more clarity will soon be provided about your medical situation. If the bladder examination does indeed show that an instrument was left in your bladder during an operation and the doctor made a culpable error, then you may be entitled to compensation. Of course, this must be evident from the medical information (for example, a medical certificate from the doctor in France) and may have to be confirmed by an expert. In order to properly assess your legal options and to represent your interests, I advise you to contact a personal injury specialist. In most cases, hiring a personal injury specialist is free of charge. The liable party must pay the legal costs. In addition, many personal injury specialists do not charge any costs if your case is unsuccessful. If you wish, you can contact me directly. I can then possibly help you obtain compensation.

Lawyer

What an unpleasant situation you have ended up in. I wish you much strength, a quick and complete recovery. The fact that you no longer live in the Netherlands and are not insured here is not relevant to the question of whether the urologist or the hospital is liable. It is of great importance whether it can be proven that a mistake was made during the operation in the Netherlands. That is why you really have to make sure that the doctor in France records the evidence well by means of photos, keeping the piece of plastic and a statement of what he found. If you wish, I am happy to assist you further in this matter. I have extensive experience in holding doctors and hospitals liable. I recover my costs from the hospital's insurance and it will therefore not cost you anything. You can contact me without obligation and free of charge.