Jump to:
What Is Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence, often referred to as clinical negligence, happens when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. This failure can lead to injuries, illness, the aggravation of existing conditions, or even death.
Medical negligence claims are usually very complex. They require a detailed understanding of both the law and medicine, which can effectively be achieved by a medical negligence solicitor.
Worried about claiming against the NHS? Claims are generally managed by solicitors for the NHS, not your local hospital or doctor.
Types Of Medical Negligence Claims
All doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care when diagnosing and treating their patients.
Medical negligence can take many different forms, and this includes:
– Hospital negligence, including claims against NHS hospitals and private institutes
– Poorly managed pregnancy and labour that result in birth injuries or injuries to the mother
– Delayed diagnosis that can cause ailments to get worse, or even cause death
– Infections caused whilst staying at a hospital, such as sepsis
– Misdiagnosis of medical conditions that lead to incorrect treatment
– Medication errors and prescription error claims
– Care home claims due to neglect or abuse
– Claims against negligent GP’s
– Inquests investigating deaths caused by medical negligence
– Cancer claims due to delayed or misdiagnosis
Medical malpractice is severe and extremely rare, however when it does happen, it can be life changing, devastating and stressful. Our team of medical negligence experts want to hear your story and offer you the correct support possible.
Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free appointment today.
Specialist Medical Negligence Advice You Can Trust
Given the complexities that can arise when pursuing a medical negligence claim, it is important you choose a specialist medical negligence solicitor with a proven track record of handling complex clinical cases.
Our medical negligence team pride themselves on the breadth of cases we can investigate. We have a national medical negligence team, all of whom only practice in this area of the law. This ensures we can offer dedicated and specialist advice to guarantee you receive the rehabilitation, support, and compensation you deserve.
From the start of your claim, our medical negligence solicitors will guide and support you through the claims process with compassion and understanding. We offer a free consultation to discuss your story, and we will signpost you to the best possible support for you based on your situation.
If we take your case on, we will explain everything to in plain English, offer support, and help you find a suitable funding option to help make your claim successful. We will aim to provide straight forward advice that seeks to limit both legal and medical jargon, to ensure any stress and anxiety relating to the claim is kept to a minimum. Our medical negligence team will be with you every step of the way. We want to ensure that you are properly looked after so we focus on you and your recovery as well as your medical negligence claim.
We understand that contacting a solicitor can be worrying, but our team is approachable and easy to talk to. You can find a number of client reviews on our Review Solicitors profile. Remember, we are on your side and can help you rebuild for the future.
Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free appointment today.
Hospital Negligence Claims
Hospitals are very busy places designed to make you and your loved ones better. You do not go into hospital expecting to come out worse or needing a longer period of recovery than expected. Hospital negligence can appear in many forms, including hospital misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, contracting hospital infections (such as sepsis), pressure sores, medication or prescription errors, negligence at A&E, surgery negligence and routine procedures that have gone wrong or have even caused death. Find out more on our hospital negligence claims page.
Birth Injury Claims
Birth injury cases include injury to the mother, the baby or both and all of these can be devastating, particularly if the injury was caused by an avoidable mistake by a medical professional. A birth injury claim may be possible, however, these cases tend to be complex because of the legal and medical technicalities involved. Find out more on our birth injury claims page.
Inquests
If someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, a Coroner may be notified and may conduct an inquest. Our inquest solicitors can help with offering advice on the inquest procedures and through the process, they can represent at an inquest and can help with all paperwork involved. Find out more on our inquest solicitor’s page.
GP Negligence Claims
It may be difficult to consider bringing a claim against someone you may need to see regularly, such as your GP. Our team can help with any GP misdiagnosis, prescription errors and delayed diagnosis by a GP. Find out more on our GP negligent claims page.
Cancer Negligence Claims
Our medical negligence team have acted for many clients who have suffered a delay in cancer diagnosis or cancer misdiagnosis and want to bring a cancer claim for compensation. This can include breast cancer, bowel cancer, brain tumours, lung cancer, gynaecological cancers, bladder cancer, kidney cancer and skin cancer. Find out more on our cancer negligence claims page.
Serious Injury Claims
A serious injury is generally defined as an injury that results in permanent or life-changing disability. We can support with a wide variety of serious injury claims such as fatal injuries, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy claims, birth injuries, death due to medical negligence and brain injuries. Find out more on our serious injuries claims page.
NHS Neglect Claims
We have helped many people who have claimed against the NHS. NHS neglect happens if the people treating you have failed to fulfil their duty of care, and haven’t followed certain regulations such as the NHS Constitution. This can include wrong or inadequate care, treatment, or diagnosis.
Worried about claiming against the NHS? Successful claims against the NHS are paid by NHS Resolution, not NHS budgets.
How To Make A Medical Negligence Compensation Claim
Deciding to pursue a medical negligence claim can be challenging and overwhelming due to the legal complexities involved. Our experienced medical negligence solicitors specialise in managing a diverse range of cases, from simple to intricate. We offer expert support and guidance to ensure that your claim progresses smoothly and effectively.
When you contact Howells Solicitors for a free consultation, we will first ask you to provide some basic information about what has happened and how. We’ll then take you through it step by step, at your own pace, and if we feel your claim warrants further investigation, a case will be opened, and your solicitor will go through your claim funding options with you and will discuss a no win, no fee* option with you.
Once funding is arranged, we will then gather evidence from your medical records and your expert medical negligence solicitor will review this to identify, if any and what mistakes were made, and the impact these have had on your current condition or recovery.
Then we’ll start legal proceedings by sending a Letter of Claim to the Defendant.
We work hard to claim interim payments, which allow those who’ve suffered serious injuries to receive part of their compensation before their case settles. We also offer a wide range of dispute resolution option to help settle your compensation claims, which helps keep the legal litigation to a minimum and helps avoid the case being dealt with at court. This will usually ensure your claim is settled quicker and with less stress to you and your family.
If you think you have a claim and would like to speak to us, you can Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to discuss your story.
No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims
‘No Win No Fee’* agreements, also known as Conditional Fee Agreements, mean that if the claim is unsuccessful, the legal advice fees that have been incurred during the medical negligence claim will be written off as long as you have complied with the agreement.
With a no win no fee* medical negligence claim, if your claim is unsuccessful, there is no financial risk to you as all your legal fees will be covered (subject to entering into and complying with the terms of a no win no fee agreement and taking out and complying with the terms of an After The Event insurance policy when appropriate).
Legal Aid For Medical Negligence
Howells Solicitors are one of the few firms holding a Legal Aid franchise for medical negligence, and they ensure access to justice for all. In certain circumstances may be able to apply for Legal Aid Funding.
As soon as you contact us, we’ll be able to discuss your funding options and answer any questions you may have to alleviate any worries or stress you might be feeling.
Our Medical Negligence Solicitors
Our medical negligence team cover the entirety of England, 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 make it to our office, we could arrange for a member of the team to visit you at home.
Medical Negligence Free Consultation
Our medical negligence team offer a free consultation on your first appointment, which can be made face-to-face, on the phone or by video call, as well as flexible appointments that can be arranged to fit around lunch breaks or work commitments.
Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free appointment today.
Medical Negligence Frequently Asked Questions
How long do medical negligence claims take?
The length of medical negligence claims varies considerably and is quite often affected by external factors, such as waiting for medical records to be provided and for experts to complete their reports. It can also depend on how complex the case is, the issues that need to be investigated, and the extent of the evidence that needs to be gathered. In all appropriate cases, we will apply for interim payments.
The duration of a medical negligence claim is largely influenced by the defendant’s actions. Most claims are resolved before reaching court; however, if the defendant disputes liability, the process could be significantly prolonged.
Even when liability is acknowledged, rushing a settlement is not advisable. The full impact of injuries might only become clear after several years. Therefore, it is crucial that your medical negligence solicitor keeps you informed about your case’s progress and advises on whether additional time is necessary before your claim can be accurately valued and settled.
How long do I have to make a claim?
There are strict time limits for medical negligence claims in the UK. All claims involving medical negligence are subject to a three-year time limit. This time limit starts from the date of negligence or from the date you knew your injury was linked to the poor care. Three years is not a long time, so if you have been subject to medical negligence, you should contact a medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible.
Will I have to go to court?
Most of our medical negligence cases either settle before court or are discontinued. Your medical negligence solicitor would always prefer to settle the case before a court hearing so that you don’t have to give evidence on a witness stand. Our medical negligence team have a reputation for proactively promoting dispute resolution options with claims, ensuring they do not reach a court room. This helps keep costs low and can speed up the claims process. It also reduces stress on the family involved. If your case does go to court, our solicitors will be with you every step of the way.
Solicitors For Medical Negligence
The Howells medical negligence team are highly regarded in the UK and specialise in a wide range of services aimed at helping families get the compensation and support they deserve. The team are often praised for their compassion, empathy, and friendly and caring nature. They rank as the number one medical negligence solicitors in the UK on review solicitors, based on their consistent five star reviews.
They can support families through inquests, serious injuries, negligence at the hands of a medical professional, mis diagnosis claims, birth injury claims and late diagnosis claims, to name a few areas of expertise.
The team are highly skilled, down to earth, and extremely diligent medical negligence lawyers who scrutinise every aspect of a compensation claim and represent their clients tirelessly. Their aim is to help them continue their lives with the financial and medical support they need and deserve.
They understand that traumatic incidents can devastate lives, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and financially. They will listen, be supportive understanding and then use their technical skills to explain everything about your case in an easy to understand, removing the jargon and confusion involved with a medical negligence compensation claim.
The medical negligence team is supervised by the highly regarded Michelle Gyte, who is a medical negligence specialist who is driven hard by their belief that everyone is entitled to access to justice. Michelle has worked with clients in the field of medical negligence for over 20 years and has dealt with a wide range of complex clinical negligence cases that have arisen out of treatment received from GPs, dentists, opticians, pharmacy’s, walk in centres and hospitals.
The team consists of senior solicitor Jenna Kisala who has over 14 years’ experience in cases involving delay in diagnosis, delay in treating cancer, surgical negligence, fatal accidents and injuries during birth. She acts for clients consistently from initial instructions throughout the entire process and prides herself on remaining accessible to clients.
Jenna has represented families at inquests and assisted them in preparation for inquests. These involved sensitive cases dealing with a death occurring in care homes or during or following detention under the Mental Health Act.
The team also has an inquest team, which includes the high regarded Amy Fiddler and Phillipa Matthews. The team are a specialist practice group driven hard by their belief that everyone is entitled to access to justice.
Client Testimonials
“Amy is currently dealing with an inquest relating to my mother. She has been fantastic; nothing has been too much trouble. I have been kept update with absolutely everything. Going through an extremely heartbreaking time and Amy is very sympathetic and compassionate.”
“As a family we have been treated with the utmost respect and dignity at a difficult time. We have been kept in the loop regularly via emails and calls. I would recommend this solicitor to anyone in a similar situation.”
“From the moment we contacted Howells, the team were very responsive and accommodating of the assistance we needed.”
“I felt totally overwhelmed. I didn’t even know really what an inquest was or what the process was. I sent some documents to Howells and they replied very quickly and Amy introduced herself to me. From this point on I was reassured, and everything was explained to me in a way which was easy to understand. Amy’s advice throughout the whole process was clear and easy to follow. As well as being extremely professional as a solicitor Amy was also friendly and showed empathy towards my circumstances throughout.”
“I have found dealing with Howells a sheer pleasure. I felt at home with them from the outset and they were always prepared to listen. The advice they have given was very professional and they worked very hard in getting information back to me as quickly as possible. I am so pleased that I went to them, and thoroughly recommend them to you.”
“Howells provided fantastic guidance through the legal system during the most difficult of times for our family. Amy was very empathetic and always proactive in everything she did. We were kept fully aware at all stages, and we would definitely recommend her services.”
“What I wasn’t expecting through this process was the very human and empathetic support Amy provided.”
“I recently went to Howells with a potential case, they assisted me massively and were so professional explaining and talking me through every step that was being taken.”
Professional Testimonials
“You have made a very fortunate choice of legal representation who have done a fantastic job of persuading the Defendants to part with a large sum of money. I am certain that no legal team could have done better.”
“Thorough, reliable, extremely knowledgeable, and approachable. Able to put clients at ease while retaining a professional manner.”
“Approachable. Excellent client care skills and ability to manage client’s expectations.”
“Complex Birth injury specialist highly regarded by clients and other members of the legal profession”
“Personable and empathetic with the client’s and family members who have lost loved ones.”
“Professional with an approachable and empathetic client manner.”
Chambers UK
The prestigious Chambers UK guide ranks the department yearly and says:
“Michelle Gyte is well versed in cases arising from delayed diagnosis leading to amputations, cerebral palsy birth injuries and fatal claims. She is additionally adept at spinal injury cases, including damage due to negligent surgery.” “A very good lawyer – technical, conscientious and hard-working.”
Legal 500
The Legal 500 guide ranks the team yearly and says:
“Noteworthy team offering a broad range of clinical negligence advice to clients, including related human rights claims. Further experience of claims concerning issues surrounding failures in hospital and A&E care and delayed diagnoses. Also acts on spinal injury claims, including cauda equina syndrome cases. The department possesses significant experience in medical inquests.”
“Michelle Gyte is noted for her adept representation of claimants in an array of clinical negligence matters, including ophthalmic and neonatal death cases. Market sources note that she is “excellent on claims of the highest value”
“A specialist in birth injury and fatal accidents, Michelle oversees a team notable for it’s expertise in niche areas”
“Notably, the firm also covers matters arising from mental health care, purported violations of the Human Rights Act and supports families during inquests”
“Howells provides a broad offering, handling both serious injury cases, including birth injuries and fatalities, and more niche claims arising from transgender treatment, plastic surgery, and mental health. Senior solicitor Michelle Gyte leads the Sheffield-based practice, specialising in complex cases involving fatal accidents, dependency claims, and multiparty actions. She works alongside senior solicitor Jenna Kisala, who has a special interest in birth injury cases, fatal accidents, and inquests.”
*There are circumstances where you would be asked to pay any outstanding costs even if you don’t win your case. Situations where dishonesty, failing to give your solicitor instructions, rejecting an offer against your solicitor’s advice, death of the claimant, cancelling your claim and relocating without informing your solicitor, are examples of where you may need to pay for services provided by Howells Solicitors, and for the defendant’s costs.
Accident and Personal Injury Claims
Children Law Solicitors
Civil Liberties & Inquests
Claims and Complaints Against the Police
Civil Dispute Solicitors
Criminal Defence Solicitors
Family Law Solicitors
Medical Negligence Solicitors
Housing Tenancies & Benefits Solicitors
Motoring Offences
Property & Conveyancing Solicitors
Wills, Trust & Probate Solicitors
