Medical negligence lawyers
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.
Facing the impact of medical negligence can feel daunting, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Our long-standing medical negligence team has built a reputation for taking on challenging cases that other firms may turn away. We've helped families across the country find answers, seek justice, and secure compensation after catastrophic injuries.
We work on a wide range of claims, including surgical errors, delayed diagnoses, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and maternal injuries, and we have extensive experience in handling inquests.
Our medical negligence solicitors are passionate advocates for women’s health, with a strong focus on maternity claims. Our team also includes three midwives - one of whom is also a qualified nurse - who bring a unique blend of clinical insight and sensitivity. Often the first point of contact, they provide a lifeline for those navigating the challenges of negligent care.
With dedicated offices in London, Manchester, Cardiff, and Leeds, our team of medical negligence solicitors is here to support wherever you are in the UK.
Learn more about our dedicated medical negligence team here.
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence, in the broadest form, is when a medical professional or institute is in breach of the legal duty of care they owe to an individual patient or patients.
Whatever the scale of the claim, for it to class as medical negligence you need to prove the medical professional failed to meet their duty of care, resulting in your injuries or illness.
These two components are:
- Fault - The medical professional failed to treat you in the way reasonably expected, causing your condition. Your health was under their responsibility and the consequences are therefore their fault.
- Avoidable harm - Also known as causation, this shows it was clinical negligence that led to your injuries or illness, rather than an underlying condition. Essentially, the harm caused was entirely avoidable had the medical professional upheld their expected duty of care.
Proving these elements is essential when pursuing a medical negligence claim.
Different types and examples of medical negligence cases
- Misdiagnosis - Receiving the wrong or no diagnosis for a condition, symptoms missed and illnesses worsening. For example, misinterpreted test results or being referred to an inappropriate specialist can result in significant harm.
- 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.
Medical negligence cases can arise when you experience substandard care from any healthcare professional. If you’ve suffered negligent treatment from any of the following healthcare professionals, then it may be classed as practitioner negligence:
- GP or doctor
- Nurses
- A&E staff
- Midwives
- NHS employees
- Private medical professionals
How much medical negligence compensation could I receive?
How much compensation you will receive for a medical negligence claim can vary depending on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life.
The amount of medical negligence compensation you could receive will depend on the extent of your injuries, illness and the negligent treatment received. It can include:
- General damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
- Special damages for financial losses such as: treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy; care and case management; travel and accommodation adaptations; loss of earnings and pension; and specialist equipment and mobility aids.
See examples of results in our recent medical negligence success stories here.
How our medical negligence solicitors can help
Pursuing a medical negligence claim may seem overwhelming, but our team of medical negligence solicitors is here to support you every step of the way. We aim to make the process straightforward and give you the confidence and clarity you need.
- Book a free initial assessment: Contact our medical negligence experts to arrange a free 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 medical negligence 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 resolve your medical negligence claim as quickly as possible.
Why use Leigh Day?
Recommended
We have more than 35 years’ experience, successfully fighting hundreds of cases. Our clients consistently rate us excellently for medical negligence claims on Trustpilot, reflecting our dedication to achieving the best outcomes.
Experts
We are renowned for our work on complex injury claims, particularly in cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and maternal death cases. Our team also remains active in litigation linked to systemic healthcare failings, inquests, and matters requiring cross-jurisdictional analysis.
Respected
Leigh Day has been named in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, with specific commendation for our medical negligence expertise among other areas. We are also ranked tier 1 in both the independent legal directories, Legal 500 and Chambers.
What our clients say
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Client story: Journey to justice for Andrea
John turned to our Manchester-based medical negligence team after his wife, Andrea, tragically lost her life due to complications during heart surgery. Through the inquest and medical negligence claim, we helped John and his family uncover the truth about what went wrong.
The hospital Trust eventually admitted their mistakes, acknowledging that if they hadn't delayed during surgery, Andrea would likely have survived. While John and his family received a financial settlement, it was the formal apology from the Trust that mattered most to them.
To learn more about the story, watch the heartfelt video below.
Read more about our clients’ successes
Further details about recent settlements
Supporting charities and NGOs for change
Beyond our legal work, our team of medical negligence solicitors is committed to driving real change. We collaborate with numerous charities and NGOs, particularly those focused on maternity and women’s health.
We’re proud to support these inspiring organisations, which work tirelessly to provide training, improve outcomes for families, promote patient safety and champion progress in healthcare.
Our medical negligence solicitors often direct individuals to relevant charities to ensure they receive the additional support they need.
Our charity and NGO partners
Our medical negligence services
What our clients say
Quite simply, the best in the business.
Medical negligence client, via Trustpilot
What the directories say
Extremely sympathetic and the perseverance and patience they have is incredible. It is about fighting for those who can't fight back and Leigh Day solicitors fought for me more than 7 years. Need I say more.
Legal 500 2026
What the directories say
The strength in depth of this team is extraordinary and the team's commitment and quality shines through.
Legal 500 2026
Medical negligence FAQs
Your medical negligence claim process can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to settle. Our team of medical negligence solicitors 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.
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 of medical negligence solicitors 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 medical negligence claim.
Medical negligence 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
Our team of medical negligence solicitors has more than 35 years’ experience, successfully fighting hundreds of cases.
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.
Medical negligence Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Find the answer in our FAQs.
See how we helped others: case studies
Woman suffers stillbirth of daughter after her vital signs were not checked for nine hours - despite repeated calls for help and pain relief
A six-figure settlement has been secured on behalf of a woman who suffered a stillbirth at the Royal Free Hospital in London, after a failure to monitor her vital signs or notice clear indicators of fetal distress during labour.
Mother settles claim following the asthma-related death of her 10-year-old son
The mother of a 10-year-old boy who suffered a fatal asthma attack following a history of inadequate management of his asthma has settled her claim against Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Essex Partnership University NHS Trust, Queensway Surgery and East of England Ambulance Trust.
Failures admitted by Croydon Health Service NHS Trust after infection spread left woman needing surgery
A woman has received a five-figure settlement from Croydon Health Services NHS Trust after it admitted failing for months to properly treat a diabetic foot ulcer.
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