A dangerous practice claim seeks compensation for an injury due to a lack of care by a medical professional. You trust a doctor, surgeon, hospital consultant or radiologist to treat you with a duty of care. You could have a dangerous practice claim when they breach that duty of care and you suffer an injury. 

Every medical procedure has a risk, but medical professionals should reduce the risk as much as possible. Dangerous practice, such as failing to take a patient’s history, can have a devastating effect if the patient suffers a reaction to a medication subsequently prescribed. 

A patient may suffer months or years of unnecessary pain, anguish, and discomfort due to the medical negligence of dangerous practice. If you suffer dangerous practice by a medical professional, you might be able to claim compensation from those responsible. 

A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can make your claim for dangerous practice and get you the compensation you deserve.

Dangerous Practice Claims

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What is a claim for dangerous practice?

A claim for dangerous practice is when you suffer medical negligence and bring a case for compensation against the hospital or doctor responsible. The harm you suffered due to medical negligence could have been avoided, and you can claim compensation.

A claim for dangerous practice could be for an infection contracted due to low standards of hygiene or errors made when prepping you for surgery. Dangerous practice could lead to serious injury and even death in some cases due to medical negligence.

Medical negligence is medical care below that any other medical professional acting at an acceptable level would provide. In a dangerous practice case of medical negligence, your doctor has not provided you with an acceptable level of medical care.

Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can look at your case and see if you have a valid dangerous practice claim for compensation.

Medical Negligence Claim Assessment

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Common claims for dangerous practice

Common claims for dangerous practice range from errors in taking a patient’s history to having an unqualified nurse on ward duty. Every medical professional and hospital owes the patient a duty of care to ensure their safety while under their responsibility. 

A breach of the duty of care could be medical negligence, and you may have a claim for dangerous practice. 

Common claims for dangerous practice are:

Common claims for dangerous practice

Errors made during surgery

Errors made during surgery include giving a patient the wrong anaesthetic dose, not reading the notes before surgery or mixing up patients due to poor surgical practice.

The consequences of dangerous practice in surgery are incorrect surgery on the patient, a patient suffering a reaction to anaesthetic or patients undergoing unnecessary surgery.

You may have a surgical negligence claim for compensation if you experience dangerous practice in surgery.

Failure to take a patient’s history

The failure to take a patient’s history is a dangerous practice and a perfect example of medical negligence. Knowing a patient’s history is vital to making an informed diagnosis, and failing to take one can lead to many errors. 

Failing to take a patient’s history may lead to errors such as prescribing the wrong medication, misdiagnosing a condition and even missing the chance to make an early diagnosis of a disease such as cancer or diabetes. 

A failure to take a patient’s history is medical negligence, and you might be able to make a claim for compensation.

Dangerous practice by a GP

Dangerous practice by a GP happens every day, and patients could suffer ill health as a result of the medical negligence. GP errors such as failing to take a history or not diagnosing a condition can seriously affect a patient. 

If a GP fails to perform at an acceptable professional level, they could inject you with the wrong medication, slice you when taking a skin sample or not refer you for further tests. 

You could be able to claim compensation if you suffer medical negligence by a GP. 

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Hospital negligence leading to ill health

Hospital negligence leading to ill health could occur when the hospital does not impose strict hygiene protocols or fails to treat you in an acceptable time after diagnosis.

NICE Guidelines state how a hospital should be run and how to avoid the ‘Never Events’ of medical negligence. 

The hospital should ensure that all staff are fully qualified and suitably trained for the work they do while on duty. Patient care protocols must be laid out and enforced, or the patient could suffer. 

Hospital negligence happens, and you can claim compensation if you experience it while under care in the wards, in surgery or in the A&E department.

Failing to turn an incapacitated patient in bed

Failing to turn an incapacitated patient in bed leads to bed sores and carries the risk of severe infection. NICE Guidelines state how to avoid bedsores and how to care for an incapacitated patient while in hospital. 

The hospital is responsible for ensuring staff are fully trained and experienced in turning and caring for incapacitated patients. 

If you or a loved one suffers from a lack of care while in hospital, you may be able to claim compensation for dangerous practice.

Compensation for claims of dangerous practice

You can claim compensation for the medical negligence of dangerous practice in amounts from the low £10,000s to over £10 million in some cases. 

The compensation varies depending on several factors, and dangerous practice claims sometimes see very high awards, such as when a patient passes away or experiences a lifetime of unnecessary suffering and chronic pain.  

Compensation amounts in medical negligence claims can be:

  • Failing to take a patient’s history leading to injury – £12,000
  • Failing to diagnose a medical condition – £20,500
  • Surgical errors leading to injury – £55,600
  • Mistakes made by unqualified medical professionals – £66,900
  • Delays in referring a patient for further tests – £74,500
compensation claim calculator

All amounts are approximate and are only a guide to what is possible in medical negligence claims. Figures can be high in some claims as you or a loved one could need long-term care and may face medical bills for life. You may be able to claim for these care expenses and the medical costs in the future. 

As in all medical negligence claims, each case is dealt with on merit and how much the patient suffers due to dangerous practice negligence complications. 

A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will be the one to advise you on a medical negligence claim. They will know from experience what your case may be worth and how to make a successful claim. 

Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will handle your dangerous practice negligence claim for compensation and for all damages incurred.

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 negligence we will send a letter of claim to the negligent party outlining your compensation claim.

Who is eligible for compensation?

The patient who suffers from complications due to dangerous practice may be eligible for compensation. They are the ones who have suffered, and the clear medical negligence could lead to a condition going untreated for a long time. 

The delays in their treatment could lead to years of unnecessary suffering and the patient’s early death in some cases. If a patient passes away due to dangerous practice, the ones left behind may have a claim for medical negligence.

Medical negligence is a perfect example of claiming on behalf of a loved one. The negligence could leave them unable to make a claim. Your loved one depends wholly on you and the family for care and to fight for their rights. By making a claim on their behalf for medical negligence, you are fighting for the compensation they deserve. 

Loved ones in a medical negligence case are known as ‘dependents’ and can be:

  • A spouse or former spouse of the deceased
  • Someone who lived with the deceased for two years before death as a husband, wife, or civil partner.
  • Blood children, adopted children or those who became children through marriage or civil partnership
  • Parents and those acting as parents, such as a guardian or step-parents
  • Grandparents or great-grandparents
  • Brothers, sisters, cousins, and other direct relatives

When you are a victim of dangerous practice by a medical professional or have lost a loved one through medical negligence, you may have a claim for compensation. 

A No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will work with you to win the compensation claim for the medical negligence. 

What can you claim for when you sue for medical negligence?

You can claim compensation for any damages that occurred when you sue for medical negligence. 

There are two types of compensation damages due when suing for any type of medical negligence: General damages and Special damages.

General damages are when you sue for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity, PSLA, you have experienced due to negligence. 

  • Pain is that above what is normally expected for your procedure. 
  • Suffering is the inconvenience and changes to your life that cause you discomfort. 
  • Loss of Amenity is any difficulty you have in doing everyday tasks, such as walking, sitting, playing sports, and sleeping.

Special damages include loss of earnings, future care costs, and out-of-pocket expenses. 

  • Loss of earnings includes compensation for time off work and any reduction of your income in the future. 
  • Future care costs are for any care you will need as a result of medical negligence. 
  • Out-of-pocket expenses cover medical appointments, travel, accommodation, and meals. 

Be sure to keep payslips, receipts, and proof of any losses you experience due to the medical negligence.  

You deserve compensation to cover all losses, including loss of life, medical costs, and long-term care needs. 

When you or a loved one suffers from the effects of dangerous practices, you can make a claim for medical negligence compensation.

medical negligence compensation types

Who can be responsible for dangerous practice?

A medical professional is responsible for any dangerous practice involving you as a patient. When you bring a claim for medical negligence, you claim against the NHS Trust or private clinic that employed the medical professional responsible.

A medical professional responsible for the dangerous practice negligence could be:

  • The doctor who failed to order further tests
  • The hospital consultant who does not read a patient’s notes
  • The hospital consultant who does not fully inform a surgery patient
  • The nurse who administered the incorrect dose of medication
  • The hospital responsible for implementing treatment protocols
  • The hospital responsible for hiring suitable medical professionals
  • The hospital responsible for implementing hygiene standards
Who is responsible for medical negligence

Every medical professional owes you a duty of care when dealing with your health problems. You may suffer medical negligence if they are negligent with that duty of care and do not provide you with a professional service before any treatment.

Medical negligence is treatment below an acceptable standard by a medical professional. Instead of putting the care needed into your treatment, the medical professionals made avoidable errors, which is clear medical negligence. 

You may need to undergo years of treatment to correct medical negligence errors. By behaving less-than-professionally, the doctor risks your health, and the effects could be with you for life.

You can claim compensation for the medical negligence and get help getting your life back on track.

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

Surgical negligence

Surgical negligence is when a surgeon carries out surgery below acceptable standards. It is carrying out a surgical procedure at a level below what is expected by a medical professional. 

Dangerous practice by a surgeon is surgical negligence. You could undergo unnecessary surgery, wrong-site surgery or even surgery by a medical professional not fully trained to carry it out on you.

It can be very distressing if you undergo a surgical procedure only to find out later that the surgeon could be guilty of dangerous practice. The surgical negligence of not giving you a full duty of care can be dangerous to your health. 

When you are a victim of surgical negligence, you might be able to sue for compensation. The money you get for your compensation claim will help you regain your health and recoup any lost income. 

Expert medical negligence solicitors, such as the Medical Negligence Team, will fight your claim to try and get you the compensation you deserve for the surgical negligence.

Surgical Negligence

Duty of care by medical professionals

Duty of care by medical professionals is essential for them to carry out safe medical procedures on patients. When they breach that duty of care, patients suffer, surgery goes wrong, and illnesses and diseases go undiagnosed. 

Medical negligence is when a doctor breaches their duty of care to you. You may have a medical negligence claim for compensation if you can establish:

  • The medical professional owes you a duty of care
  • They breached that duty of care while treating you
  • You suffered injury as a result of that breach of duty of care

When you suffer a breach of duty of care, you could have a medical negligence compensation claim for dangerous practice by a medical professional. 

Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor can help guide you through the steps of a dangerous practice negligence claim and any other types of medical negligence claims.

We fight for our clients!

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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

“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 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

“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

“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

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

Mr G.P. , South Yorkshire

What are the steps involved in making a medical negligence claim?

The steps involved in making a medical negligence claim go from seeking medical advice to issuing court proceedings. 

The steps are a part of any successful compensation case, and settlement can happen at any stage in the process. 

Your medical negligence solicitor will do the rest when you follow the steps correctly and gather all the facts and figures.

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

Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor who 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. 

The Medical Negligence Team also have a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme, where you get all the money awarded in a negligence claim. 

You are the one who suffered medical negligence, and you should get all the money due for the suffering.

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 claim. 

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

The medical negligence solicitor sending a letter of claim to the negligent party is the next step. The letter will ask them to admit the 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.

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, and the two parties will meet to decide on your compensation payment. 

Your solicitor will negotiate with the negligent party and use their experience to get the compensation you deserve.

Issuing court proceedings is the next step if they deny liability in your medical negligence claim. 

Going to court happens, too, when they are not prepared to pay a fair amount for the injuries you have suffered. Your medical negligence solicitor issues the court proceedings.  

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

making a medical negligence claim

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

You have three years to make a claim for a medical negligence. All medical negligence claims are subject to limitation periods. 

For example, in England and Wales, medical negligence claims must generally be brought and court proceedings issued within three years of the injury or three years of knowledge of the facts giving rise to the medical negligence claim. 

If someone has passed away, it is the date of death if the limitation period has not expired at the date of death. 

Children not under a disability typically have until they reach 21 to start a medical negligence claim or court proceedings. 

Persons with a disability, who lack capacity, are not subject to any limitation period.

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 notes

  • 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.

Using a No Win No Fee solicitor

Using a No Win No Fee solicitor is the only way to a successful medical negligence compensation claim. Your No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitor will not charge you for a claim you do not win. 

Always have a fee agreement in place before engaging a medical negligence solicitor. If they start talking of a ‘win fee’ or a ‘success fee,’ you should walk away. The negligent party insurers should pay all fees. 

The medical negligence solicitor should also operate a 100% Compensation Guarantee scheme. When you win the case, all the money awarded should go to you, not the solicitor. 

You are the one who suffered due to the medical negligence, and you deserve the compensation to get your life back to normal.

Using a No Win No Fee solicitor

Can I make a medical negligence claim against the NHS?

Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim against the NHS. Suing the NHS for negligence is not unusual. People sue the NHS for compensation for medical negligence and receive the money they deserve for the negligent treatment. 

There are between 8,000 and 10,000 successful medical negligence claims against the NHS each year—amounts in compensation claims awarded against the NHS range from £1000 to over £10 million. 

The amount of compensation you receive covers minor injuries such as scarring to serious life-threatening negligence, which leaves you with long-term care needs. 

We trust in and use the NHS daily and do not expect negligence. It happens, though, and the NHS has a dedicated team to handle medical negligence compensation claims, called NHS resolution. 

NHS Resolution has a responsibility to treat patients who seek compensation fairly. Patients pay for the NHS through their taxes, and for that they deserve respect and the best medical treatment.

Contact The Medical Negligence Team

Contact the Medical Negligence Team today to discuss your medical negligence claim for compensation. We have both the legal and medical experts to guide you along the steps to a successful medical negligence claim for compensation. 

At the Medical Negligence Team, we fight every compensation claim on a No Win No Fee basis. You will not be out of pocket for an unsuccessful claim. 

We have a very high success rate and a reputation for a speedy and successful resolution to all medical negligence cases. 

Our 100% Compensation Guarantee puts all the money you win into your pocket. You or your loved one suffered medical negligence and deserve every penny of the compensation claim. 

Contact us at the Medical Negligence Team for all your medical negligence needs.

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