Medical Negligence Solicitors
If you or a loved one have suffered medical negligence, we are here to provide expert and compassionate support, backed by over 35 years of experience.
Why choose Leigh Day for your medical negligence claim?
- 35+ years of specialist medical negligence expertise
- Recognised by Chambers and Legal500 as a leading medical negligence law firm
- Experts in complex and life-changing injury claims
- Full support throughout the whole legal process
- Specialist maternity and women's health solicitors
- Trained midwives and healthcare professionals in our team
- Trusted by X clients whom we've secured compensation for
- Fight for justice and hold those responsible to account
Different types of medical negligence cases
- Misdiagnosis - Receiving the wrong or no diagnosis for a condition, symptoms missed and illnesses worsening.
- Delayed diagnosis - Failing to diagnose your condition, leading to the condition worsening and avoidable pain and suffering, for example when birth asphyxia occurs.
- Incorrect treatment - Given the wrong drugs or receiving inappropriate therapy.
- Surgical mistakes - An error during a procedure or operation resulting in an injury or further illness.
- Consent - Receiving treatment without providing your consent.
With all medical negligence claims, you’ll need to prove the care you received fell below acceptable standards.
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What our clients say
Making a medical negligence claim
- Book a free initial assessment. Contact our medical negligence lawyers for a free over-the-phone or in-person assessment
- Speak to our expert lawyers. One of our team will ask you a series of questions - in confidence - either over the phone or in person"
- Understand whether you have a claim. We'll advise you in whether you have a claim, how much compensation you may expect to receive, and what the next steps are"
- We'll support you all the way. If you appoint Leigh Day to represent you, our team will support you all the way and strive to sort it as quickly as possible.
What our clients say
Quite simply, the best in the business.
Medical negligence client, via Trustpilot
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What the directories say
One of the best firms in the business. Supremely experienced, hardworking, and attuned to the needs of their clients.
Legal 500 2024
Medical negligence FAQs
Your medical negligence claim process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. Our team will strive to sort it as quickly as possible. The amount of time it takes will depend on:
- The severity of your case
- Amount and speed of gathering evidence
- How long the responsible person or body takes to respond
- Length of court proceedings (most cases settle before trial)
Whoever is dealing with your claim will be able to advise on how long they think the process will take.
An inquest happens when a coroner decides to investigate the circumstances of a death to determine how the person died before registering the death. Learn more about what an inquest is.
If you have suffered medical negligence then you have three years from the point of realisation to make a claim. Special rules apply for children, who are not subject to the three-year limit until they are 18 – so they have until their 21st birthday to claim. People not capable of managing their own affairs due to a mental disability are also exempt and will rely on a ‘litigation friend’ to bring a claim.
To prove medical negligence you’ll need supporting evidence to improve your chances of success. This can include medical documents, witness statements, medical records (such as x-rays, ultrasounds), photographs and financial records.
Yes, you can make a medical negligence claim on behalf of a child under 18 years old or a ‘protected party’ – someone who lacks the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves due to an impairment or disturbance in the functioning of their mind or brain. You will be appointed as a ‘litigation friend’ to make decisions about the case.
It is rare that medical negligence cases go to court – they are normally settled before reaching this stage. However, with complicated cases there is a chance. Our team will support you through the process if this happens.
As part of the supporting evidence for your case, it’s likely that you will have to see a doctor for an expert examination. They will assess the extent of your injuries suffered due to medical negligence to help support your claim.
Compensation can cover the costs of physical and emotional pain caused and the impact on your quality of life.
It could help cover:
- Medication and treatment
- Therapy
- Care
- Transport and/or parking expenses
- Adaptations to accommodation
- Loss of earnings
- Specialist equipment
Examples of successful medical negligence compensation awarded:
- Five-figure settlement for a first-time mother who suffered depression after delayed surgery.
- More than £30 million for lifelong care for a boy starved of oxygen at birth.
- Six-figure settlement for woman who received life-changing facial injuries after delayed diagnosis of sarcoma.
- £2.25 million for a man’s life changing neurological injuries after doctors failed to investigate spinal compression after surgery.