Medical negligence claims
Medical negligence can arise when treatment falls below a reasonable professional standard and causes avoidable harm. Search common claim types or use the claim checker if you are not sure which area applies.
Search by condition, treatment or type of error
If you are not sure which category fits what happened, that is completely normal. Search the directory below or start with the facts using our claim checker.
Showing 21 claim types
A&E Negligence
Errors in emergency care can involve assessment, investigation, referral, treatment, medication or discharge. We can help you understand whether what happened should be investigated further.
Explore this claim →DiagnosisMisdiagnosis
A wrong diagnosis can lead to unnecessary treatment, delayed treatment of the real condition or a worse prognosis. Each case turns on what a competent clinician should reasonably have identified at the time.
Explore this claim →DiagnosisDelayed Diagnosis
An avoidable delay in diagnosis can allow a condition to progress, limit treatment options or prolong pain and uncertainty. The timing and medical consequences of the delay are central to the investigation.
Explore this claim →DiagnosisDelayed or Missed Cancer Diagnosis
A delayed or missed cancer diagnosis can affect treatment options, prognosis and the extent of treatment required. Claims can involve failures in referral, investigation, reporting or follow-up, with specialist evidence used to assess what difference an earlier diagnosis would probably have made.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsGP Negligence
GP negligence can involve missed red flags, inappropriate treatment, prescription errors or an unreasonable delay in referral. The standard is assessed against what a reasonably competent GP should have done.
Explore this claim →Hospital & treatmentHospital Negligence
Hospital negligence can occur across diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, communication and discharge. Claims may relate to NHS or private treatment depending on the circumstances.
Explore this claim →Hospital & treatmentSurgical Negligence
Surgical complications are not automatically negligence. A claim requires evidence that the care before, during or after surgery fell below an acceptable standard and caused avoidable harm.
Explore this claim →Hospital & treatmentMedication Errors
Medication errors can occur during prescribing, dispensing or administration. The effect can range from temporary illness to serious injury, depending on the medicine and individual circumstances.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsBrain Injury at Birth
Birth injury claims can involve antenatal care, labour, delivery or postnatal treatment. Where a baby sustains a brain injury around the time of birth, the investigation can include fetal monitoring, the timing and method of delivery, resuscitation and neonatal care, together with long-term prognosis and support needs.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsSepsis
Sepsis can progress rapidly. Claims can involve failures to recognise warning signs, perform appropriate observations, escalate care or provide timely antibiotics and other treatment.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsStroke
Stroke care is time-sensitive. Potential claims can involve missed symptoms, delayed imaging, failure to refer or delays in treatments that may have changed the outcome.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsDental Nerve Damage
Dental negligence can involve diagnosis, treatment planning, extraction, implant treatment, restorative work, infection management or consent. Claims involving nerve injury may arise where avoidable damage affects sensation, pain, taste or function following dental treatment.
Explore this claim →DiagnosisDiabetes Delayed Diagnosis
An avoidable delay in diagnosing diabetes can allow complications to develop or worsen. The investigation considers the symptoms, test results and clinical opportunities to diagnose or escalate care earlier, together with the medical consequences of any delay.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsCauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a spinal emergency in which delay in recognising red-flag symptoms, arranging urgent imaging or obtaining surgical review can have serious consequences. A claim requires evidence that earlier appropriate care would probably have produced a better outcome.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsSterility & Overseas Surrogacy
Where negligent medical care causes sterility or permanent loss of fertility, the consequences can extend beyond the physical injury. In appropriate cases, the assessment may include fertility treatment and the financial consequences of pursuing surrogacy, including overseas arrangements, although recoverability is highly fact-specific and requires specialist legal evidence.
Explore this claim →Hospital & treatmentOrthopaedic Negligence & Missed Fractures
A missed fracture or a problem with bone and joint treatment can affect mobility, work and everyday independence. A claim may be possible where care fell below a reasonable standard and caused additional injury, a longer recovery or a worse outcome.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsMaternal Birth Injuries & Perineal Tears
An injury to the mother during childbirth can affect recovery, continence, relationships and daily life. Concerns may involve the care during delivery, recognition and repair of an injury, or the response to ongoing symptoms. Your experience can be discussed sensitively and in your own words.
Explore this claim →DiagnosisRadiology & Scan-Reporting Errors
Imaging can guide important decisions about diagnosis and treatment. A missed finding, delayed report or failure to communicate and act on a result may justify investigation where it caused avoidable harm. The assessment considers the whole imaging and follow-up pathway.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsFatal Medical Negligence & Inquests
When someone dies following medical care, families may want an explanation and advice about whether the death could have been avoided. A legal review can consider the treatment, its possible contribution to the death and whether an estate or eligible dependant may have a claim.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsWomen’s Health & Gynaecology
Concerns about gynaecological care can involve investigation of symptoms, surgery, consent or follow-up. Where unreasonable care caused avoidable harm, a claim may be possible. You can describe your experience without needing to identify a diagnosis or legal category yourself.
Explore this claim →Specialist claimsBrain Injury from Medical Treatment
A brain injury associated with medical treatment can affect thinking, movement, communication and independence. A claim requires careful investigation of the care and whether an avoidable failure caused or worsened the injury. Families can ask for an initial discussion on a loved one’s behalf.
Explore this claim →The core questions in a medical negligence claim
Was the care negligent?
The investigation considers whether the treatment fell below a reasonable professional standard.
Did it cause harm?
There must be a sufficient legal and medical link between the negligent care and the avoidable injury or deterioration.
Is the claim in time?
Limitation rules can be complex, so prompt advice is important where relevant dates are uncertain.
How a potential claim is investigated
- 01
Initial enquiry
Tell us what happened, when the treatment took place and how you were affected.
- 02
Early assessment
The key facts, limitation position and whether further investigation may be appropriate are considered.
- 03
Records & evidence
Relevant medical records, chronology and evidence of any financial losses may be obtained.
- 04
Expert review
Appropriate independent experts may address breach of duty, causation, condition and prognosis.
- 05
Claim & negotiation
Where the evidence supports a claim, the relevant defendant can be notified and liability or settlement discussed.
- 06
Resolution
The matter may conclude by agreement or, where necessary, through the court process.
Medical negligence FAQs
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence generally involves healthcare falling below a reasonable professional standard and causing avoidable injury, deterioration or additional loss.
Can I claim against the NHS?
Potentially. NHS treatment can give rise to a medical negligence claim where breach of duty and causation can be established.
How long do I have to make a claim?
The usual limitation period in many adult cases is three years, but the starting point and exceptions can be complex. Prompt legal advice is recommended.
Do I need my medical records before contacting you?
No. You can make an initial enquiry without having a complete set of records. Relevant records can be requested if the matter proceeds to investigation.
Will I have to go to court?
Many claims settle without a trial. Court proceedings may still be required where liability or the value of the claim cannot be agreed.
How much compensation could I receive?
Compensation is highly individual. It can reflect the injury itself and, where supported by evidence, financial losses, care, rehabilitation and future needs.
Think you may have a medical negligence claim?
Tell us what happened and our team can explain the next steps.