Medical negligence is when you receive care from medical professionals that does you harm. It is a standard of medical treatment that would not happen if the medical professional did their job correctly.

Personal injury claims follow medical negligence because of the standard of medical care you experience.

Medical negligence solicitors are the only legal professionals to handle a clinical negligence claim. You should only engage medical negligence experts to fight your medical negligence compensation claim.

What is Medical Negligence?

Medical Negligence is when the medical care provided is of such a low standard that no doctor acting reasonably could have provided such care. Medical negligence cases arise from the poor standard of care you receive.

A medical professional in the same area of medicine, such as obstetrics or general surgery, will say the care was negligent and be prepared to do so in court if necessary.

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If you have been a victim of any form of medical negligence? We specialise in pursuing damages against negligent healthcare providers. It’s free and easy to speak with one of our team of medical negligence professionals.

What makes for a successful medical negligence claim?

Meeting the clear signs of medical negligence makes for a successful medical negligence claim. Three criteria make for a successful claim, and medical negligence solicitors will help you identify each one.

The three elements of alleged medical negligence are:

  1. A negligent act or omission
  2. A delay in your medical treatment
  3. Injury from the negligent treatment

Your medical negligence case needs to contain only one of the three elements to make your compensation claim a successful one.

tips for winning a medical negligence case

Negligent act or omission claim

A negligent act or omission is medical treatment which should not have happened. The negligent treatment could include operating on the wrong organ or removing the wrong limb.

It could also be more subtle such as damaging a nearby organ or body part which should have been protected.

A delay in your medical treatment claim

A delay in your medical treatment can have a serious effect on your health. A two-year delay in cancer follow-up could make an existing condition worse and make you very ill.

A successful medical negligence case will focus on the fact that you have got worse and will need more treatment.

Injury caused by medical negligence claim

Injury from the medical negligence is a key part of any clinical negligence claim. When your medical negligence specialists can show injury, it makes your compensation claim likely to be successful.

Some cases will result in death, and your loved ones will fight for the compensation due.

What are the types of medical negligence claims?

Types of medical negligence claims include hospital negligence, GP negligence and pharmacy negligence. Each type of clinical negligence causes injury, and you will be due compensation for the pain, discomfort, and any financial losses suffered.

Are you eligible for compensation?

If you want to obtain compensation for the negligence you have suffered, we have a simple 3 step process to make sure you get the money you deserve

  • Take our online assessment & speak with our team

  • Our team of doctors and lawyers will undertake a full medical review based on your medical records

  • We will send a legal letter of claim and our solicitors will pursue your compensation on your behalf

All case reviews are 100% cost and commitment free.

Hospital negligence Claim

Hospital negligence is a claim against a hospital due to negligent treatment or a lack of suitable care from medical professionals.

A hospital medical negligence claim often includes a never event, where a surgeon removes the wrong organ or operates in the wrong place.

Removing the thyroid on the wrong side is a common example of a never event.

Another never event is when a surgeon operating to remove your gallbladder damages the common bile duct. Massive corrective surgery, known as a roux-loop hepaticojejunostomy, is required to fix the negligence.

You will spend more time in hospital and will need longer to recover. Your solicitors will make this part of your compensation claim.

Hospital negligence

Omission in a hospital negligence claim

Omission in a hospital negligence claim is when the hospital does not call you back for follow-up treatment. Cancer investigations feature a lot in cases of omission.

If you have a scan or test for cancer, such as a colonoscopy you rely on the doctors to read the results properly. If the oncology team finds something concerning but forgets to call you back, you have a case of clinical negligence.

When the hospital does not refer you for further cancer treatment or surgery, you have a medical negligence compensation claim.

Other examples of hospital negligence claims

Other examples of hospital negligence claims include surgery errors, issues around consent, and accidents when a patient is on hospital grounds.

A few examples of common hospital medical negligence cases include:

Accident and Emergency medical negligence

Accident and Emergency medical negligence claims come from attendances at A&E that go wrong. They are a common cause of medical negligence claims and include missing a fracture on an X-Ray or failing to diagnose a stroke.

Missing the signs of sepsis

Missing a sepsis diagnosis happens when medical professionals do not spot the clear signs or fail to take the required regular observations. Missing the signs of sepsis should not happen, but it happens a lot.

Sepsis is a serious form of infection that can effect open wounds and also common after surgeries.

Sepsis is a life-threatening disease, and missing the signs is a clear case of medical negligence.

GP negligence

Unfortunately, medical negligence can happen at your trusted family GP as well as at the hospital. The GP can offer care below accepted standards, and your health can suffer as a result.

GP medical negligence claims follow when GP medical care harms you or a loved one. Examples of GP negligence claims include:

GP medical negligence cases happen every day, and their effects can last a lifetime.

Building a successful medical negligence claim against your GP may not be pleasant, but you should not have to suffer for their negligent treatment.

Pharmacy negligence

Pharmacy negligence is when the pharmacist makes an error with your prescription or when handing over your medicine in the pharmacy.

Your pharmacy negligence claim can be for:

If you suffered negligence at the pharmacy, then you should look for medical negligence compensation.

Medical Negligence Claim Assessment

Take our 5-minute claim assessment to determine the strength and validity of your case. This is a 100% cost and commitment free service.

What are the results of medical negligence?

The results of medical negligence range from a few days of pain and suffering to disability or death. Personal injury is a direct result of medical negligence, and compensation claims match the suffering caused.

For a medical negligence claim to succeed you have to prove that an injury occurred because of it. You also need to show that the personal injury would not have occurred if not for the medical negligence.

A missed fracture in A&E as a medical negligence claim

A missed fracture in A&E as a medical negligence claim is a good example of the results of medical negligence. There are three areas where you can receive compensation for a missed fracture.

The three areas are:

  • Unnecessary pain and suffering
  • A delay in healing
  • A worse outcome for your injury

You only need one of the three for a successful missed fracture claim.

Scaphoid fractures

Scaphoid fractures occur when you trip and put out your hand to break your fall. If you fall onto an outstretched hand (a FOOSH), then you are at risk of breaking the scaphoid bone.

A doctor cannot see the scaphoid fracture on the initial X-Ray, but they should be aware of one possibly being there. They should treat the scaphoid fracture presumptively by putting the patient in a splint.

Good medical practice

Good medical practice would be bringing the patient back to the fracture clinic for a further X-Ray in ten days’ time. If there is callus bone healing showing on the new X-Ray, the doctor knows there is a fracture and puts the patient in a cast to allow healing.

If a potential scaphoid fracture is missed by A&E, then clinical negligence can happen. The patient is not put on a recall list, and the injury will only get worse. After eight weeks, the patient will require surgery to fix the error due to the clinical negligence.

The missed scaphoid fracture compensation claim contains unnecessary pain, a delay in healing and a worse outcome than if the fracture was spotted on the first visit to A&E.

Crucially, missed scaphoid fracture claims occur because of medical negligence. You deserve compensation for the unnecessary suffering and medical negligence solicitors can fight the case for you.

Is medical negligence common?

Medical negligence is a lot more common than people think. Each year there are 12,000 medical negligence claims notified to the NHS for cases against GPs and hospitals.

The win rate for cases of clinical negligence is more than 54.5%.

Specialist medical negligence solicitor firms, like Medical Negligence Team, have a win rate way above the average and are closer to 80% in resolving compensation claims.

Schedule A Call

If you have been a victim of any form of medical negligence? We specialise in pursuing damages against negligent healthcare providers. 

It’s free and easy to speak with one of our team of medical negligence professionals.

NHS Resolution handles medical negligence claims

NHS Resolution handles medical negligence claims for the NHS. Each year it receives around 12,000 new claims of clinical negligence.

Nearly all medical negligence claims in the UK go through NHS Resolution, and they handle most claims against hospitals, GPs, and the pharmacy.

Processing your claim quickly

Processing your claim quickly should be a priority for any firm of solicitors. At Medical Negligence Team we work hard to process all claims quickly and successfully.

If your medical negligence claim meets all the criteria and you have a good medical negligence solicitor, your claim will process quickly.

What is the average payout for medical negligence claims in the UK?

The average payout for medical negligence claims in the UK is over £50,000. Medical negligence compensation amounts depend on the injury and any long-term care need.

How much compensation should you expect?

How much compensation you should expect depends on the extent of the negligence.

Approximately 75% of compensation claims in the UK settle for under £25,000. 25% of claims settle for more than £25,000.

The average compensation payout is over £50,000 because there are many multi-million- pound settlements in the UK.

Who is at fault for medical negligence?

The medical professional is at fault for medical negligence. It does not matter where the negligence happened; it is the medical professional who is responsible.

You bring your clinical negligence claim against the NHS hospital, GP or pharmacy for the clinical negligence. The NHS Trust is normally the employer, and NHS Resolution will handle your case.

You should always have a firm of medical negligence solicitors fighting your side of the case.

Who is at fault for medical negligence

How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim?

You have three years to make a medical negligence claim. In England and Wales, negligence claims must generally be brought, proceedings issued, within those three years.

The three years limit is from the time of the injury, date of death if the limitation period has not expired, or three years of knowledge of the facts giving rise to the claim.

Our Process

Our team members have a higher career win rate with a 75% success rate on NHS letters of claim, compared to an industry average of 54.5%.

Enquiry

The first step is to get in touch and tell us what went wrong. It’s free and easy. Call our 24-hour helpline: 0800 246 1122 or request a callback here.

Medical Evaluation

Once you have spoken with our team we’ll let you know how we can help. Typically the next step is to obtain your medical records for us to review.

Legal Letter

Once all your medical records have been received they will be reviewed by a medically & legally qualified member of our team. If there is evidence of medical negligence we will send a letter of claim to the negligent party outlining your medical negligence claim.

We fight for our clients!

“I fractured my wrist and Barts Hospital Trust in London failed to arrange appropriate follow up in the fracture clinic and as a result my surgery was delayed. Medical Negligence Team Law obtained all my medical records and radiology and quickly settled my claim. I received 100% of the compensation recovered with no deductions”

Mrs C.M., London

“Your care and support was outstanding, making me feel supported and reassured and you kept in constant contact with any worries I had explained and swiftly responded to thank you, would recommend highly.”

Mr B.H., Brighton

“My late father had a fall in hospital breaking his hip which required surgery. The fall was due to a lack of supervision. Medical Negligence Team won our case and got us the compensation we deserved. We received 100% of the compensation recovered. Many thanks to all the team at Medical Negligence Team. Would definitely recommend them.”

Mr D.C., Nottingham

“Medical Negligence Team Law quickly settled my claim. They were friendly and helpful throughout the whole process and above all I received 100% compensation recovered with no deductions.”

Mr S.B., Northamptonshire

“My pharmacy incorrectly gave me fast acting insulin causing problems with my blood sugars which made me very unwell for one month until the mistake was discovered. Medical Negligence Team Law quickly settled my claim and I received 100% of the compensation with no deductions.”

Mr G.W. , Lincolnshire

“Our pharmacist gave my husband the incorrect medication and while on holiday and taking the medication my husband became seriously ill. We had to rush home from Spain as a result of this. Medical Negligence Team recovered the costs for our abandoned trip and compensation for the pain my husband endured while he was recovering. They were very friendly, responsive and we received 100% of the compensation with no deductions.”

Mrs A.P., Worksop

“Following open surgery in October 2022 I continued to have pain in my wound. It was discovered a piece of drain had been left inside me causing me pain and suffering and the need to have a further surgical procedure to remove it. In June 2023 Medical Negligence Team Law completed my claim and I got 100% compensation awarded. Thank you.”

Mrs B, Hertfordshire

“Medical Negligence Team Law won my pharmacy negligence claim and I received 100% of the compensation recovered.”

Mr G.P. , South Yorkshire

“Great service and communication from everyone at Medical Negligence Team Law throughout my claim. They handled my claim on a No Win No Fee basis and I received 100% of the compensation recovered.”

Miss A.W , Liverpool

“Medical Negligence Team Law quickly settled my medical negligence claim and I received 100% of the compensation recovered. I would highly recommend them.”

Miss P.R , North Yorkshire

“A leaking IV iron infusion caused permanent staining to my arm. I received £13,000 compensation,100% with no deductions. Would recommend Medical Negligence Team to anyone.”

Mrs R. R., South Yorkshire

“I am happy to accept the £3,000 compensation, I just want to thank you for helping me with this! Your service has been amazing!”

Miss M.P., West Yorkshire

“My pharmacy issued me with quetiapine rather than venlafaxine which had a significant impact on my mental health. Andy, Anthony and the team at Medical Negligence Team were incredibly helpful and obtained compensation for the pain and suffering I endured as well as payment for loss of earnings. They paid all the compensation, 100%, to me. I would highly recommend them.”

Mrs S. R., Peterborough

“I required Tegretol medication for my underlying epilepsy and nocturnal seizure control but my pharmacy gave me something completely different by mistake. As a result after many years of having no seizures I had a number of seizures, a fall and needed time off work. The Medical Negligence Team got me the compensation I deserved including money for lost wages. They also paid 100% of the compensation to me with no deductions.”

Mr J.B., Kent

“I needed surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. The NHS did the wrong operation first time round and they drained rather than remove the cyst. I then had to have a further operation to do the operation they should have done first time round with significant pain in between as the cyst came back. Medical Negligence Team quickly settled my claim. I received 100% of the compensation and was delighted with the service and communication throughout. They really are medical negligence experts”

Mrs T.S., South Yorkshire

Children with a medical negligence claim

Children with a medical negligence claim will have until they reach 21 to start a compensation claim.

Children under 18 years of age can sue for compensation through their parents or trusted guardian.

Persons under a disability, someone who lacks capacity, are not subject to any limitation period.

Mental Health Issues

Mental health issues and clinical negligence claims operate a bit differently. Mental health issues would not typically mean there is a lack of capacity, but if the issues come from medical negligence, there is a case to fight.

A person with a brain injury requiring help and assistance with cognitive issues would be classed as a person who lacks capacity. There are not any time limitations in these cases.

How do I make a Medical Negligence claim?

To make a medical negligence claim, you follow a few simple steps. If you have the procedure right from the start, your claim for clinical negligence will go quickly and smoothly.

Employing the best medical negligence solicitor, along with the correct medical advice, will get you the compensation you deserve for any suffering caused.

Always use a firm of clinical negligence solicitors approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Making a medical negligence claim

Medical negligence claims process

Knowing the steps involved when suing for medical negligence is a key part of the process. When you follow them correctly and get all the facts and figures together, a team of expert medical negligence solicitors will do the rest.

Step 1: Seek medical advice

Seek medical advice on the injuries you have suffered or are suffering with, immediately you realise you experienced clinical negligence.

The doctor will confirm your negligence injuries and write a detailed report for your medical records.

Step 2: Contact specialist medical negligence solicitors

Contact specialist medical negligence solicitors to take on your case. Always use a firm that operates on a No Win No Fee basis and tell them what went wrong.

The right solicitor will look at your case, see where the problem lies, and advise if you suffered medical negligence.

A No Win no fee medical negligence claims process

A No Win No Fee medical negligence claims process is where you do not pay any legal fees when a case is not successful.

You should not have any financial risk when fighting for a compensation award. The negligent party should pay any legal costs and legal fees.

A 100% Compensation Guarantee Scheme

A 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme is where you get all the money awarded to you in a medical negligence claim.

The Medical Negligence Team run a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme, and you will get all the money awarded in the compensation case.

You are the one who suffered medical negligence, and you should get all the money due for the suffering. If a solicitor tells you they have a ‘win fee,’ then head for the door.

Step 3: Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records

Your medical negligence solicitor obtains your medical records with your permission. By reading your records, they will confirm if they think you have a valid medical negligence case.

The medical negligence team will know from reading your medical records if the case will result in medical negligence compensation being paid.

Step 4: The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party

The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party is the next step. The letter will ask them to admit medical negligence in what is known as ‘sending a letter of claim.’

When the negligent party receives the letter of claim, it has up to four months to provide a written response.

Step 5: Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer

Getting a response from the negligent party’s insurer will move your compensation claim closer to a conclusion.

The insurer will either admit the medical negligence or say they intend to defend the case. Deciding to defend the case is known as ‘deny liability’ in legal terms.

If they admit liability, your medical negligence claim can be valued.

The two parties will meet to decide on the medical negligence compensation payment due to you. Your solicitor will negotiate with the negligent party and use their experience to get what you deserve.

Step 6: Issuing court proceedings

Issuing court proceedings is the next step if they deny liability in your medical negligence case. Going to court happens too when they are not prepared to pay a fair amount for your injuries.

Your medical negligence solicitor issues the proceedings. Remember that less than 1% of cases end up in court, and very few of those cases ever make it to the courtroom.

Make a medical negligence claim today

Contact the Medical Negligence Team solicitors to fight your case of clinical negligence. We have the experience and the fully qualified team to win your compensation case. Our team of trained legal and medical experts will advise you along every step of the claims process. We operate a full No Win No Fee policy and have a 100% Compensation Guarantee Scheme.

Contact us today for all your medical negligence needs.

make a medical negligence claim