GP Negligence Claims

What is GP Negligence?

GP negligence, or general practitioner negligence, refers to situations where a GP fails to provide the standard level of care expected in their practice, resulting in harm to a patient. This can also include negligence by a nurse or physician associate working at a GP’s surgery.

Types Of GP Negligence

GP negligence can occur in a number of ways, including:

• Incorrect Diagnosis/Misdiagnosis – Where the medical professional diagnoses you with the incorrect condition.
• Missed Diagnosis – Where a medical professional fails to diagnose the condition.
• Late Diagnosis – When a condition is identified late causing delays in treatment.
• Failure to Refer – Not referring a patient to a specialist when it is necessary for their condition.
• Poor Record Keeping – Inaccurate or incomplete medical records that could lead to misunderstandings or errors in patient care.
• Lack of Informed Consent – Failing to inform a patient about the risks and benefits of a treatment, leading them to make uninformed decisions.
• Inadequate Treatment – Not providing appropriate treatment or follow-up care for a diagnosed condition.

Finding out that you have a serious illness is upsetting at any stage of diagnosis. But being told your ability to recover may have suffered due to medical professionals misdiagnosing your condition or delaying treatment can be hugely frustrating and devastating.

A medical misdiagnosis for any of these conditions can have serious consequences and you may be entitled to GP negligence compensation if this has happened to you.

Can I Make a Medical Negligence Claim?

To make a GP negligence claim, you must demonstrate that your doctor or healthcare professional’s actions, or failure to act were below a reasonable standard and have resulted in injury, pain, or suffering. It may sound daunting, but don’t worry – we have the expertise and experience to help those who have suffered as the result of GP negligence.

When to Make a GP Negligence Claim

We understand that it may be difficult to consider bringing a claim against someone you may need to see regularly which is why we investigate your concerns fully before taking steps to bring a claim for clinical negligence against a GP.

Our GP negligence team are here for clients who have suffered harm due to:

• A failure to diagnose and treat a condition.
• The misdiagnosis of a condition.
• A failure to refer an individual to hospital for x-rays or tests.
• Not receiving the correct medication.

GP negligence claims should be made within three years of the incident happening, as with all medical negligence claims.

If you think you have a claim and would like to speak to us, fill out an assessment form or call us on 0114 2496 611 to book your free assessment today.

Delayed Diagnosis

If you have received the incorrect diagnosis, or experienced a delay in a referral for treatment that has caused the condition to get worse, you may be entitled to delayed diagnosis compensation.

Find out more on our delayed diagnosis claims page.

Prescription Errors

If you have been given the wrong prescription by your GP and have suffered harm as a result, you may have a claim for prescription error negligence.

Find out more on our prescription error claims page.

GP Misdiagnosis

GP misdiagnosis happens when a medical professional fails to correctly diagnose a patient’s illness or injury whilst being treated at a GP surgery. Being misdiagnosed may not only affect your physical health but your mental wellbeing, too.

Cancer Claims

You may be able to make a cancer misdiagnosis claim if your doctor failed to diagnose you in time or was negligent when dealing with diagnosis and referral and if those failures caused your condition to worsen.

Find out more on our cancer negligence claims page.

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 solicitors 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.

Free Medical Negligence Initial Appointment – Step by Step

Step 1 – Book Your Free Consultation
Contact our medical negligence team by completing our online form or by calling 0114 2496 611. We’ll arrange a free appointment at a time that suits you, including during lunch breaks or after work.

Step 2 – Share Your Story
During your initial telephone appointment, our friendly solicitors will listen to your concerns with care and compassion. We’ll ask for some basic details about what happened and how you’ve been affected.

Step 3 – Get an Initial Assessment
We’ll let you know quickly whether we can help with your medical negligence claim. Our team handles all types of cases, whether large or small.

Step 4 – Understand the Process
Your solicitor will explain the medical negligence claims process in simple terms, guiding you step by step at your own pace.

Step 5 – Case Investigation
If we believe your claim requires further investigation, we’ll open a case and discuss your next steps, including funding options and legal costs.

Step 6 – Ongoing Support
From your first appointment onwards, our medical negligence solicitors will provide expert advice, compassionate support, and clear guidance to help you secure the compensation and rehabilitation you deserve.

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/personal injury 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.

GP Negligence Solicitors Based in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Nationwide

We consider on the merits of every claim brought to us and regardless of its size, complexity, or impact, we’ll give each one the care and attention it deserves. Our GP 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.

If you choose us to look after your claim, we will look after you, as here at Howells we are committed to:

• Earning the maximum possible compensation settlement for clients.
• Helping establish adequate ‘provision for life’ in terms of ongoing specialist care, housing, support, and welfare.
• Removing any fear, worry, or mystery about the legal process and communicating regularly, openly, and sensitively.
• Remaining a strong and tireless advocate for your rights.

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims

We believe everyone deserves access to justice. That’s why we offer no win, no fee (CFA) agreements, allowing you to pursue a claim without worrying about upfront costs*.

• No Upfront Fees: If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay our legal fees*.
• Free Consultation: We assess your case and give honest advice before you proceed.
• Clear Advice: We explain the risks, process, and funding options in plain English.
• Expert Representation: Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors fight to secure the best possible outcome for you.

While compensation can’t undo medical negligence, our goal is to help you regain independence and secure the financial support you need for the future.

Want to find out more on our no win, no fee medical negligence agreements? Find out more information, including a full list of terms and conditions on our No Win No Fee Medical Negligence page.

*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.