If you’ve suffered an injury or illness due to medical negligence, our industry leading solicitors are here to help. With hundreds of years’ combined medical negligence expertise, you can be assured that you are in safe hands. Talk to us about making a No Win No Fee medical negligence claim today.
Medical negligence, also known as clinical negligence, occurs when a medical professional fails in their duty of care to a patient, and provides treatment that falls below an acceptable standard. This substandard care then causes either an injury, an illness, the worsening of an existing health condition or even death.
Medical negligence claims are usually very complex. They require a detailed understanding of both the law and medicine, which can only be achieved by a medical negligence solicitor that has specialised in this area of the law for a number of years.
It is therefore extremely important, if you do decide to make a claim, that you instruct an expert medical negligence solicitor to represent you.
What constitutes medical negligence?
Medical negligence can take many different forms, but the consequences of even seemingly simple mistakes can be severe if it leads to delayed treatment or the deterioration of your condition. Some of the common mistakes that we see include:
Poorly managed pregnancy and labour
Poorly performed surgery
Inadequate post-operative care
Delays in treatment in emergency situations
Failing to carry out correct diagnostic actions, such as x-rays, scans, and blood tests
Failing to follow up test results, or misinterpreting test results
Treating the wrong condition
Not taking a patient’s full medical history
Discharging a patient too early and without the care needed
Failing to take a patient’s observations in a timely manner
Failing to note a patient’s deterioration
Neglecting the patient’s overall health
What types of medical negligence can I claim for?
Medical negligence is an extremely varied area and can result from almost any type of medical treatment. Below are just some of the types of negligence and circumstances where we can help:
This list is not exhaustive and regardless of the treatment you required, if the medical professionals responsible for your care were negligent in their actions, you could be entitled to make a claim. Our industry-leading medical negligence solicitors are always on hand to discuss your case. To speak to a member of the team, call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online to find out more.
How do I make a medical negligence claim?
Making the decision to pursue a medical negligence claim can be tough, and it may feel daunting to consider the legal processes involved. Our expert medical negligence solicitors have many years of experience in handling a wide variety of cases, from the straightforward to the complex, and are here to provide the support and advice you need to ensure your claim runs smoothly.
If you have made the decision to approach Slater and Gordon to investigate your potential medical negligence claim, you will firstly be asked to provide some basic information about what has happened and how. We’ll take you through it step by step, at your own pace, and if we feel your claim warrants further investigation, a case will be opened, and your solicitor will go through your claim funding options with you. The majority of the cases we investigate are funding by way of a ‘No Win No Fee Agreement’. However, there are certain cases where Legal Aid may be available.
Once funding is arranged, gathering evidence will be the next step. Your medical records will be obtained, and your expert medical negligence solicitor will review these to identify, if any and what mistakes were made, and the impact these have had on your current condition or recovery.
A statement may then be taken from you and any other witnesses and medical experts will be instructed to carry out an independent medical examination. We’ll then assess the legal and medical issues of your case and, if it is felt substandard care was provided and that this caused additional injury, then we’ll start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant (that is, the party responsible for your negligent care).
In all of the cases we pursue, we aim to establish liability as soon as possible. Once liability is accepted, we can usually apply for an interim payment. Interim payments allow those who've suffered serious injuries to receive part of their compensation before their case settles. This is something your medical negligence solicitor will be keen to explore with you as these payments can often help pay for rehabilitation, care or even the purchase of a more suitable property.
For more information about how medical negligence claims are pursued, see our medical negligence claims guide here. Alternatively, if you think you have a claim and would like to speak to us, you can contact our specialist medical negligence solicitors on 0330 041 5869 or arrange a call back online.
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How long do medical negligence claims take?
The length of medical negligence claims varies considerably and is quite often affected by external factors, such as waiting for medical records to be provided and for experts to complete their reports. It can also depend on how complex the case is, the issues that need to be investigated, and the extent of the evidence that needs to be gathered.
However, the biggest factor in determining the time a medical negligence claim takes is usually the behaviour of the defendant. While most claims can be settled before they reach court, if the defendant denies liability and the claim has to proceed all the way to trial, it could take significantly longer.
Even where liability has been admitted, it is also important that a settlement isn’t rushed. Sometimes the full extent of a person’s injuries cannot be established for several years. In this event, it is important your medical negligence solicitor keeps you up to date with how your case is progressing and whether further time is needed before your claim can be valued and potentially settled.
Can I make a no win no fee medical negligence claim?
Medical negligence claims can be expensive to investigate, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients are protected from these costs. The majority of the claims we investigate are done so by way of a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement.
‘No Win No Fee’ agreements, also known as Conditional Fee Agreements, mean that if the claim is unsuccessful, the legal advice fees that have been incurred during the medical negligence claim will be written off. Any third-party fees, such as expert report and court fees, will then be recovered under an After the Event Insurance Policy that will be taken out after the ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement has been arranged.
The most important thing to us is that you to feel empowered to seek the compensation you rightfully deserve without the looming stress of a financial burden if the claim is unsuccessful.
In limited circumstances, Slater and Gordon is also able to apply for Legal Aid Funding. However, this will only be possible where the medical negligence claim involves a child, who has suffered a neurological injury at birth, such as cerebral palsy, or within the early neonatal period. Not all law firms are able to offer this funding option, but we’re an exception as we are recognised as specialist medical negligence solicitors and our mission is to ensure as many people can access expert legal advice, regardless of their wealth.
As soon as you contact us, we’ll be able to discuss your funding options and answer any questions you may have to alleviate any worries or stress you might be feeling.
A delayed cancer diagnosis turned Anne's life upside down, going from what was treatable and is now terminal.
From being dismissed to withheld information from doctors, she reached out to Slater and Gordon.
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My husband and I have been beyond satisfied with the service and help / advice given through the claim process from Emma. After facing a traumatic experience, the team have helped in getting compensation and holding the relevant people accountable for their actions, and it cost me £0. The communication, openness and transparency through the process was really above and beyond; always willing to explain areas that we didn’t understand.
Client testimonial (for Emma Doughty)
The entire process was managed in a sensitive and compassionate manner. I felt comfortable discussing personal information with staff, thanks to their open and kind nature. Thanks to John and his colleagues at Slater Gordon, my future is much more secure. I cannot that them enough or recommend them more.
Client testimonial (for John Doyle)
Given the complexities that can arise when pursuing a medical negligence claim, it is vitally important you choose a specialist medical negligence solicitor with a proven track record of handling complex clinical cases.
Here at Slater and Gordon, we pride ourselves on the breadth of cases we can investigate. We have a national medical negligence team, all of whom only practice in this area of the law. This ensures they can offer dedicated and specialist advice to guarantee you receive the rehabilitation, support, and compensation you deserve.
The national head of medical negligence is Emma Doughty. Emma is highly accomplished in this practice area, holding two Law Society accreditations, specifically in Clinical Negligence and General Litigation. She is also recognised as a Senior Litigator by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Her skills and achievements have garnered significant recognition, including the 'Outstanding Achievement of the Year' award at the Personal Injury Awards in 2018, which followed her work as the lead solicitor in the cases against negligent surgeon, Ian Paterson.
Emma, and numerous other members of the medical negligence team, are recognised as leaders in the field, both in the prestigious Chambers and Partners guide and in the Legal 500.
The extensive accolades and the recognition of our head of practice and the team highlight the exceptional legal prowess Slater and Gordon has in this area of the law.
As well as a large team of more than 85 specialist medical negligence solicitors, Slater and Gordon also employs highly experienced in-house midwives and litigation nurses to work collaboratively with solicitors. This results in an excellent team that can be relied upon to investigate a medical negligence claim correctly and effectively.
From the very beginning, our medical negligence solicitors will guide and support you through the claims process. They will also aim to provide straight forward advice that seeks to limit both legal and medical jargon, to ensure any stress and anxiety relating to the claim is kept to a minimum.
We strive to keep our client’s needs at the front and centre of the medical negligence claims process and over the years our dedication to protecting the rights of the individual have resulted in thousands of 5-star reviews and an “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot.
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Medical negligence solicitors near you
Slater and Gordon has offices across the United Kingdom, which ensures we are always able to offer our expert advice and dedicated services no matter where you are. We understand that for those recovering from medical negligence, travel may not always be possible, which is why we also offer home and hospital visits, as well as online meetings.
We can provide dedicated medical negligence advice in:
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help.
Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive.
Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim.
Ms S (medical negligence client)
Can I make a medical negligence claim after a loved one has died?
If a loved one has passed away due to medical negligence, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation for their wrongful death.
Slater and Gordon’s medical negligence solicitors are very experienced when representing loved ones who have sadly passed away and have been involved in some of the most important and ground-breaking legal cases.
Can I change my medical negligence solicitors to Slater and Gordon?
Yes, you are entitled to change your solicitors for whatever reason. You may need to sign a consent form to approve that your legal documents can be sent over to us.
Do I have a medical negligence claim?
You have a medical negligence claim if it can be proved you’ve suffered or have been harmed due to negligent care from a medical professional.
How much does it cost to make a medical negligence claim?
We operate on a ‘No Win No Fee’ basis, which means you won’t need to pay anything unless your medical negligence claim is settled meaning there’s no financial risk to you. Find out more about our medical negligence claim fees here.
What treatment or care is provided as part of the medical negligence claim?
We provide comprehensive support in various areas of law, including Court of Protection, wills and probate, family law, and employment law and offer the expertise of independent financial advisers to assist with welfare benefits advice and safeguarding your compensation. Trust us for all your legal needs with our seamless, end-to-end service.
What are the time limits for making a medical negligence claim?
In general, the time limit for medical negligence claims is three years from date you were injured, or the date you became aware it was caused by negligence. Although the time limits for a specific medical negligence claim can be complex, so it’s best to speak to an expert as soon as possible to establish how long you have to pursue a claim.
How much do you get for a medical negligence claim?
It’s impossible to say how much compensation you’re likely to get for a medical negligence claim as it depends on how severe your injuries are, your current financial losses, and the pain, suffering and losses you’re likely to have in the future.
What we can say at this stage is given our level of specialism in this field, we’ll ensure you get the absolute maximum amount of medical negligence compensation you deserve.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything Slater and Gordon have done to fight this case for us. I appreciate it has involved a lot of people. Please can you also thank the expert witnesses who have provided their expertise and help. Mr and Mrs H (medical negligence client)
I cannot recommend Slater and Gordon enough, throughout the entire period of the case, all the staff have been both very professional, and supportive. Mr Q (medical negligence client)
Kept informed regularly as to how my claim was going, prompt replies to any questions I had, excellent customer service at all times. Excellent service from all staff that have been involved in my claim. Ms S (medical negligence client)