Medical Negligence Solicitors

Are you concerned about making a claim against the NHS?

Claims are typically managed by NHS solicitors. Your local hospital or doctor does not handle them.

Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitors You Can Trust

We understand that reaching out to a medical negligence solicitor often comes at one of the most difficult times in your life. You may be feeling overwhelmed, let down, or unsure about what to do next. That’s why our specialist team—supporting clients across England and Wales—is here to guide you with compassion, patience, and clarity at every step.

Medical negligence claims can be complex, but you don’t have to face the process alone. Our solicitors work exclusively on medical negligence cases, meaning you’ll receive focused expertise from people who truly understand both the legal journey and the emotional impact it can have.

Unlike some law firms that only take on the highest‑value claims, we believe every person deserves justice, no matter their circumstances. Our national team is recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, reflecting our dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for the individuals and families we support.

From your free initial consultation through to the final resolution of your claim, we promise to explain everything in plain English, explore all funding options, and keep you fully supported throughout. Your wellbeing matters to us. Our priority is helping you access the recovery, rehabilitation, and compensation you deserve—so you can focus on rebuilding your life with confidence.

We are approachable, highly rated by our clients, and committed to helping you move forward. Call us today on 0114 2496 611 or fill out an assessment form to start your claim.

Types Of Medical Negligence Claims

All doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals have a duty to provide safe, accurate, and timely care. When that standard falls short, the consequences can be devastating.

Medical negligence can affect patients and families in many different ways, including:

 Hospital negligence, including claims against NHS hospitals and private healthcare providers.

 Poorly managed pregnancy or labour, leading to birth injuries or harm to the mother.

 Delayed diagnosis allowing conditions to worsen or, in the most serious cases, leading to preventable death.

Hospital-acquired infections, including life‑threatening illnesses such as sepsis.

 Mis diagnosis resulting in incorrect or harmful treatment.

 Medication errors and prescription error claims, such as the wrong drug or dosage being given.

GP negligence, where symptoms may be missed, dismissed, or not referred appropriately.

 Inquests, where a death may have been caused by medical failures and needs formal investigation.

 Cancer claims, including delayed or incorrect diagnosis that affects the chance of recovery.

Medical negligence is rare, but when it happens, the impact can be life‑changing. We understand how frightening, overwhelming, and unjust this can feel. That’s why our compassionate team of specialist medical negligence solicitors is here to listen to your story, support you throughout the process, and help you access the justice, answers, and compensation you deserve.

Fill out an assessment form or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free assessment today.

Free Medical Negligence Claim Assessment

Our Legal 500 accredited medical negligence team provides a free, confidential assessment to help you understand whether you may have a medical negligence claim. During this initial review, a specialist considers your account, relevant paperwork, and how the situation has affected you. This assessment is not legal advice and does not involve opening a claim unless your case is suitable to proceed. You’ll receive a clear outcome, an explanation of what could happen next, and information about funding options, including No Win No Fee*.

If your case requires further investigation, we will explain the process, costs, and timescales before any further work begins. Our team is ranked #1 for medical negligence in the UK on ReviewSolicitors and is known for providing honest assessments and supportive, client‑focused guidance. We offer flexible appointments by phone, secure online meetings, or in person at our Sheffield, Barnsley, or Rotherham offices, ensuring expert legal support that fits around you.

Find out more on our free claim assessment.

How the Free Assessment Works

Step 1 – Check If You May Have a Medical Negligence Claim.

Contact our medical negligence team by completing our online form or calling 0114 2496 611 . We will gather some initial information to understand your situation.

Step 2 – Share Your Information.

You provide a summary of what happened and any relevant paperwork you already have. This helps us understand the background to your concerns.

Step 3 – Initial Review.

A medical negligence specialist will review the information against medical negligence criteria.

Step 4 – Outcome Explained. We will let you know whether:

• We may be able to help and take the matter further, or
• We are unable to assist and should signpost you elsewhere If the case is suitable, we will explain the process, timescales, and funding options before any appointment or further work is arranged.

How to Make a Medical Negligence Claim – Step by Step

Step 1 – Free Consultation
Contact Howells Solicitors on 0114 2496 611 or complete our online form. During your free consultation, we’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you were affected.

Step 2 – Initial Assessment
Our specialist medical negligence team will review your case and let you know if further investigation is needed. We’ll explain your funding options, including No Win, No Fee agreements.

Step 3 – Case Investigation
If your claim proceeds, we’ll collect and review your medical records. Our expert solicitors will work with independent medical professionals to identify errors in your treatment and the impact on your health.

Step 4 – Letter of Claim
Once evidence is gathered, we will formally start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant (hospital, GP, or healthcare provider).

Step 5 – Interim Payments
Where possible, we will secure interim compensation payments to help cover immediate care, rehabilitation, or financial needs while your case continues.

Step 6 – Settlement or Court
We aim to resolve claims through negotiation or mediation, helping you achieve a faster and less stressful outcome. If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to secure the compensation you deserve.

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims

We believe that everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our no win no fee agreement, also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), helps you take legal action. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs.*

In most cases, if accepted on a no win, no fee basis, you won’t pay a penny upfront for our legal services*. The basis of a CFA is that you will not be required to pay our legal fees if the compensation claim is unsuccessful. Meaning, you will not pay any fees to us unless we win your case for you*.

You can find more information on our no win no fee medical negligence page. It includes a full list of terms and conditions.

*There are circumstances where you would be asked to pay any outstanding costs even if you don’t win your case.

You may need to pay for services from Howells Solicitors in certain situations. These include being dishonest, not giving your solicitor instructions, or rejecting an offer against their advice. Other examples are the death of the claimant, cancelling your claim, and moving without telling your solicitor.

In these cases, you might also have to cover the defendant’s costs. Client’s may be asked to pay disbursements up front or must stand to the cost of a medical report if a second opinion is obtained. In some instances, you may need to pay for medical reports or other third-party payments upfront. We would discuss this with you before making any decision.

Contact our medical negligence team by completing our online form or calling 0114 2496 611 .

Legal Aid For Medical Negligence

Howells Solicitors are one of the few firms holding a Legal Aid franchise for medical negligence. In certain circumstances you may be able to apply for Legal Aid Funding.

As soon as you contact us, we’ll be able to discuss your funding options. We will answer any questions you have to alleviate any worries or stress you might be feeling.

Flexible Appointments

We understand that dealing with medical negligence matters can be stressful, and finding time to attend in-person appointments isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer our full range of medical negligence services remotely, offering a more efficient and convenient service. We can offer our medical negligence legal support via telephone or secure remote online meetings.

This approach allows you to access expert legal advice from the comfort of your home, without the need to travel or rearrange your schedule. If your case requires a court hearing, many procedural matters are now handled remotely too, ensuring your legal journey is as smooth and accessible as possible.

Our remote services are designed to be just as personal and confidential as in-person consultations, with clear communication and full transparency every step of the way. Remote appointments are offered throughout the case, and most correspondence can be handled by email and Howells secure Client Portal.

Whether you’re dealing with sensitive medical negligence matters or simply seeking guidance, we ensure a smooth, stress-free experience that puts your needs first. Whilst we appreciate that remote services offer convenience, they may not be suitable for everyone. If you do wish to meet us face to face, you can book an appointment at one of our offices in Sheffield, Barnsley or Rotherham.

Contact our medical negligence team by completing our online form or calling 0114 2496 611 .

Hospital Negligence Claims

Hospital negligence occurs when a hospital or its staff fail to provide care that meets the expected medical standard, resulting in avoidable harm to a patient.  This can include delayed diagnosis, hospital misdiagnosis, A&E negligence, surgical negligence and errors, medication mistakes, poor hospital infection control, cancer negligence claims, or failures in monitoring and aftercare which could result in pressure sores or sepsis.

Birth Injury Compensation

Birth injuries can have life‑changing consequences for both the child and the family. When mistakes during pregnancy, labour, or immediate aftercare lead to avoidable harm, this may amount to medical negligence. Birth injury claims often arise from failures such as delayed responses to fetal distress, maternity and pregnancy negligence, errors in using instruments like forceps, or poor monitoring of mother and baby.

Delayed Diagnosis and  Misdiagnosis Claims

A delayed diagnosis can result in a condition becoming far more serious than it needed to be. When symptoms are missed, investigations are not ordered in time, or follow‑up appointments are overlooked, patients may lose the chance for earlier treatment and better outcomes. Delays often occur in A&E, outpatient clinics, and GP practices, where warning signs can be misinterpreted or not escalated quickly enough.

Inquests

When a loved one passes away unexpectedly, the coroner may open an inquest to understand how and why the death occurred. This process can feel overwhelming for families, especially when negligent medical care may have played a role. An inquest is not about blame but about establishing the facts — however, the findings can be crucial for any future medical negligence claim.

Unlike many law firms who only assist with the paperwork before the inquest takes place, we often provide full legal representation throughout the entire process. This means we could stand beside you at the hearing, ask questions on your behalf, challenge evidence where necessary, and ensure your loved one’s story is fully explored.

Our Medical Negligence Solicitors

Our medical negligence team cover the entirety of England and South Yorkshire, and have physical offices in:

– Sheffield

– Barnsley

– Rotherham

You can arrange appointments face to face, or we offer telephone or video call options available. If you can’t reach our office, we could arrange for a member of the team to visit you at home.