Regardless of where in the world you received treatment, medical professionals owe a duty to care to their patients. This means that if you’ve suffered in any way due to substandard medical care while abroad, you could be able to make a compensation claim with our specialist team of travel litigation lawyers..
What are common reasons people seek medical attention whilst abroad?
If you’ve suffered due to negligent medical care abroad, you could be entitled to compensation. Our experts work with clients every day who’ve been injured in a number of different scenarios due to negligence abroad. These include:
At Slater and Gordon, we have a dedicated team of specialists who represent those who’ve received poor medical care abroad.
Can I make a claim for medical negligence abroad?
If you’ve suffered due to medical negligence abroad, you might be left wondering whether you’re eligible to make a claim for compensation. To make a successful claim, the following must be proved:
That you were owed a duty of care by a medical professional
That this duty of care was breached in an act of medical negligence abroad
That this negligence directly led to your injury, illness, or suffering
When you work with us on your claim, our experts will guide you through the process to ensure that your claim is as strong as possible. To make a claim, it’s also important to do so within the required time period for your specific claim type. In the UK, most medical negligence claims must be made within three years of when the incident occurred.
However, these legal time limits can vary between countries, some of which can be significantly shorter than three years for hospital treatment abroad. Because of this, if you’ve suffered due to medical care received abroad, it’s best to reach out to our travel litigation specialists as soon as possible. Our experts are highly ranked in independent legal guides, such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, and several of our lawyers are accredited by organisations such as the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA).
To speak to a legally trained expert about your potential medical negligence abroad claim, on a free, no-obligation basis, simply call us today on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
How does a negligence claim abroad differ from the UK?
In the UK and throughout the EU, clear standards apply to medical professionals regarding the level and duty of care that they must provide to their patients. When these aren’t met, and a patient receives sub standard care of any kind, then a medical negligence claim can be made for compensation.
For countries outside of the EU, medical negligence claims must be made in line with the relevant governing bodies for the particular jurisdiction. Our travel litigation team are experts in working on holiday accident claims worldwide, and are well experienced in navigating the different legal processes that this entails. As a leading law firm with numerous specialist teams in different areas of law, you’re always in safe hands, and arrangements will be put in place to handle any language barriers that could potentially complicate your case for medical negligence abroad.
If you’re confused about the claims process, or the specific regulations in place for the country in which you were injured, our experts are here to help. Simply contact us on 0330 041 5869, or contact us online.
What happens when I make a negligence abroad claim?
The first step to making a medical negligence abroad claim is to get in touch with us. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation with a legally trained expert, where we can learn more about your potential claim and you can ask any questions you might have about the claims process.
Once we’ve reviewed and accepted your claim for medical negligence abroad, your specially selected solicitor will get to work on building your claim. This involves arranging an examination with a medical specialist and working to achieve an admission of liability from the other side.
Each medical negligence abroad claim is different and progresses at a different speed, depending on a number of factors. When you work with Slater and Gordon, we’re here for you for the entire claims process, and after your case is settled. We’ll handle organising any treatment, rehabilitation, or further support you might need, taking the stress away from you during your recovery period. We have close relationships with a large number of charities and support groups in the UK, and will always go above and beyond to help where we can. If you require further support, we’ll help you to get in touch with the right people and organisations after your claim is settled. To learn more about our aftercare support, see this here.
Can I make a no win no fee claim?
Our medical negligence abroad experts understand that people are often concerned about the costs of working with a specialist lawyer. However, with Slater and Gordon your negligence claim can be funded by a No Win No Fee agreement in the majority of cases. A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a conditional fee agreement, is an agreement signed by you and your lawyer which states that if you lose your case, you won’t have to pay any legal costs. This allows you to bring a medical negligence abroad claim at no financial risk.
When you bring a successful medical negligence claim, you’ll receive an agreed amount of compensation which will be calculated based on the severity of your injuries and how the incident has impacted your life, both in the short term and long term. This will be paid for by the other side (Defendant), and any fees that are payable to us can be taken as a percentage of this amount, never from you directly.
If, instead, you’d rather work with our experts on a fixed-fee basis for the number of hours worked on your case, this can be discussed when you speak to one of our experts. To learn more about the funding options available to you, visit our medical negligence fees page.
Why choose Slater and Gordon?
At Slater and Gordon, we have over 80 years' experience securing compensation for those who’ve suffered injuries as a result of negligence. Our dedicated teams of both medical negligence and travel litigation lawyers are industry experts, and we were nominated as finalists for Clinical Negligence Team of the Year in the Manchester Law Society Manchester Legal Awards 2022.
Our expertise doesn’t end at the settlement of your claim, and we pride ourselves on ensuring that our clients get the aftercare they need in all areas of life.
Not only will our lawyers continue to be there for you when you need us, but we have teams of specialists in other areas of law who can continue to provide you with invaluable advice and support. For more information on our legal services for all of life’s needs, see this here.
After undergoing cosmetic surgery in Prague, Mikayla had to have multiple emergencies surgeriesafter arriving back in the UK to prevent a serious infection from spreading. Here she shares her story, the impact the negligence has had on her life, and her advice to those considering cosmetic surgery abroad.
I had a very difficult claim from a trip to Malta causing injuries, my travel insurance and bank insurance refused to help stating complications with Maltese law. Slater and Gordon took on the claim and I can honestly say I've never know anyone take over with such dedication and fight. It was a complicated case but the solicitor Victoria Cox was determined not to give up and won for me, I could not recommend her enough and the company. If I can put anyone at ease who are unsure about using Slater & Gordon, then I have hopefully proved that the results and their hard work paid off for me and I didn't have to pay anything out at all.
Client testimonial for Victoria Cox
I am very happy with the service I received from Onyinye Ebizie at Slater Gordon. After four years of legal battle I received a settlement following complications from a surgery undertaken abroad. Onyinye was knowledgeable regarding the laws abroad and kept me informed of any progress throughout the case. I can now finally get some closure on this terrible ordeal.
Client testimonial for Onyinye Ebizie
I had an accident on holiday 3 years ago, this week a fee was settled out of court. I could not be happier with the service I have received from Victoria Cox. Victoria has kept me updated through the whole process, when I have left emails she always responds or has rang me.
Client testimonial for Victoria Cox
I had a very difficult claim from a trip to Malta causing injuries, my travel insurance and bank insurance refused to help stating complications with Maltese law. Slater and Gordon took on the claim and I can honestly say I've never know anyone take over with such dedication and fight. It was a complicated case but the solicitor Victoria Cox was determined not to give up and won for me, I could not recommend her enough and the company. If I can put anyone at ease who are unsure about using Slater & Gordon, then I have hopefully proved that the results and their hard work paid off for me and I didn't have to pay anything out at all. Client testimonial for Victoria Cox
I am very happy with the service I received from Onyinye Ebizie at Slater Gordon. After four years of legal battle I received a settlement following complications from a surgery undertaken abroad. Onyinye was knowledgeable regarding the laws abroad and kept me informed of any progress throughout the case. I can now finally get some closure on this terrible ordeal. Client testimonial for Onyinye Ebizie