Rise in A&E Negligence Claims Highlights Growing Concerns Over Patient Safety

New analysis by the BBC has revealed a significant increase in medical negligence claims relating to Accident & Emergency departments across England, raising concerns about the impact of mounting pressures on emergency care services.

According to NHS Resolution figures analysed by the BBC, there were more than 1,623 A&E-related medical negligence claims in 2025-26, compared with 1,151 claims in 2020-21, representing a 41% increase over five years.

A&E is now the single largest area for medical negligence claims by volume, with the value of claims exceeding £550 million last year alone.

The report has prompted concern among healthcare leaders, with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine linking the increase to growing pressures on emergency departments and lengthy waiting times.

Over the last two years, one in ten patients attending A&E waited more than 12 hours before being admitted, treated or discharged.

Common issues highlighted include failures to recognise signs of serious deterioration, delays in arranging essential tests and scans, and incorrect diagnoses.

Life-Changing Consequences

The BBC report featured the case of 32-year-old Oli Coppock, who attended A&E with headaches and dizziness following treatment for a brain tumour. Despite undergoing assessments, he was discharged without a brain scan. A week later, he suffered a cardiac arrest caused by fluid building up on his brain.

The NHS trust involved has since admitted that a CT scan should have been carried out and accepted that earlier diagnosis would likely have led to surgery and prevented the outcome. Mr Coppock now lives with almost complete paralysis and requires around-the-clock care.

His case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise when serious symptoms are not fully investigated.

Jenna Kisala, Medical Negligence Solicitor at Howells Solicitors, said: “Cases such as Oli’s demonstrate the devastating consequences that can arise when serious symptoms are not fully investigated. While we recognise the immense pressure NHS staff and emergency departments face, patients are entitled to safe and appropriate care.

When mistakes occur, families are often left dealing not only with the emotional impact of what has happened, but also the practical challenges of securing care, rehabilitation and financial support for the future.

Seeking legal advice is not simply about compensation. For many families, it is about obtaining answers, understanding what went wrong and accessing the support needed to move forward.”

Understanding Your Rights With Medical Negligence

Not every poor outcome in healthcare will amount to medical negligence. However, where treatment falls below an acceptable standard and causes avoidable harm, patients may be entitled to pursue a compensation claim to help rebuild their lives.

Medical negligence claims can help individuals and families access specialist rehabilitation, ongoing care, adaptations to their home, loss of earnings and other support necessary to deal with the impact of serious injury.

As the number of A&E-related claims continues to rise, the findings highlighted by the BBC underline the importance of ensuring that patients receive timely investigations, accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment when attending emergency departments.

If you have concerns about medical treatment received by you or a loved one, seeking specialist legal advice can help you understand your options and whether further investigation may be appropriate.

The Howells Solicitors medical negligence team are law society and legal 500 accredited, and rank as the top law firm in in the UK for medical negligence, and hold a 4.9 star rating on Review Solicitors for their outstanding client care.

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