Hospital Negligence Claims

What Is Hospital Negligence?

Hospital negligence occurs when you receive care while in hospital that is substandard. This includes any instances where you experienced incorrect, delayed, or substandard treatment that resulted in increased pain, delayed your recovery or worsened your condition.

We understand that it may be difficult to raise concerns about negligence caused by those who you have trusted to provide treatment, but you deserve to receive the appropriate standard of care before, during and after your hospital visit.

Types of Hospital Negligence Claims

Our hospital negligence solicitors are here for clients who have suffered the following whilst in hospital:

• Misdiagnosis of an injury or illness which has worsened.
• Have suffered because of a delayed diagnosis.
• Contracted an infection during their stay in hospital.
• Developed bedsores.
• Did not receive the correct medicine.
• Experienced a routine procedure which has gone wrong.
• Experienced a family passing away because of a routine procedure going wrong.

Worried about claiming against the NHS? Claims are generally managed by solicitors for the NHS, not your local hospital or doctor.

Hospital Misdiagnosis

Hospital misdiagnosis happens when a medical professional fails to correctly diagnose a patient’s illness or injury whilst being treated at a hospital. If you’ve suffered because of being misdiagnosed whilst in hospital, you may be entitled to make a hospital negligence compensation claim.

Find out more on our hospital misdiagnosis page.

Delayed Diagnosis

If you have been to the hospital and have experienced a delayed diagnosis that has resulted in delayed treatment, then you may be entitled to make a compensation claim for hospital negligence.

Find out more on our delayed diagnosis page.

Prescription Errors

If you have been given the wrong prescription by a doctor or nurse whilst in the hospital and you have suffered harm as a result, you may have then you may have a claim for prescription error negligence.

Find out more on our prescription error claims page.

Hospital Infections

Our hospital infection claims solicitors can help bring a compensation claim when infection has occurred where procedures were not followed. Infections could include sepsis, meningitis and clostridium difficile.

Find out more on our hospital infection claims page.

NHS Neglect

If there is medical negligence arising out of the treatment or care in an NHS or private facility such as a care or residential home, then a compensation claim could be made.

Find out more on our NHS negligence claims page.

A&E Negligence

If you have been to A&E and received treatment or a diagnosis that was incorrect or below the standard you were entitled to expect, resulting in you being given unsuitable or poor treatment that has led to your condition worsening, then you may be entitled to make a A&E negligence claim.

Find out more on our A&E Negligence Claims page.

Surgery Negligence

Surgery negligence occurs because of inadequate, incorrect, or delayed surgery. If you have suffered due to this, you may have grounds to make a surgical negligence claim.

Find out more on our surgical negligence claims page.

Pressure Sores

Pressure sores often occur in individuals who are bedridden or immobile for extended periods. In some cases, the development of pressure sores can be a sign of neglect or substandard care. If you have suffered a pressure sore which could have been avoided, you may be able to make a claim for compensation..

Find out more on our pressure sore claims page.

Birth Injuries

Birth injury cases include injury to the mother, the baby or both and all of these can have devastating consequences, particularly if the injury was caused by an avoidable mistake by a medical professional. In these circumstances, it may be possible to bring a birth injury claim  These cases are often complex because of the legal and medical technicalities involved which our experienced team could assist you with.

Find out more on our birth injury claims page.

Cancer Negligence

You could make a cancer misdiagnosis claim if your doctor failed to diagnose your condition appropriate time, was negligent during your care or you have lost a loved one as result of delayed diagnosis and/or treatment of cancer.

Find out more on our cancer negligence claims page.

Failure To Monitor a Patient

Sometimes simply not keeping an eye on a condition whilst in hospital is enough to make an injury or illness worse. In some cases, fatal. Regular monitoring and assessment of a patient’s condition is a vital part of the care which should be provided  whilst a patient is admitted to hospital. This is particularly important:

• After surgery.
• During labour.
• After a head injury.
• While they are under anaesthesia.

Monitoring should include checking a patient’s vital signs such as their heart rate, temperature, urine output and oxygen levels. Additional safeguarding should be applied when the patients are vulnerable, such as those with a mental health illness who could be a risk to themselves or those who are not aware of their surroundings, such as patients with dementia.

Can You Sue the NHS For Hospital Negligence?

Bringing a case against a hospital can feel daunting. However, all NHS providers are expected to maintain a high standard of care, and those that fail to do so should be held accountable. As one of the largest and oldest national healthcare systems, the National Health Service (NHS) plays a crucial role in treating millions of patients each year.

Patients rely on the NHS for a wide range of health services, from routine screenings and treatments for both mild and severe long-term conditions to emergency care and prescriptions. Given the extensive services provided by NHS trusts, it’is understandable that issues can arise. Additionally, with increasing waiting times in hospitals, it has been estimated that there have been over 4,000 excess deaths that could have been prevented. These troubling statistics underscore the importance of holding NHS Trusts accountable, ensuring they can improve and deliver better care to every patient in the UK.

If you are worried about claiming against the NHS, remember that Claims are generally dealt with by solicitors for the NHS, not directly by your local hospital or doctor.

Can Hospital Negligence Claims Be Brought Against Private Hospitals?

You can make a claim against a private healthcare trust for the same reasons you would make a claim against the NHS. However, the process may differ slightly, as not all private healthcare providers operate at the hospital where you received treatment. You may need to pursue the individual through their own indemnity insurance or the hospital’s third-party insurance, and they might be less inclined to admit liability. When you choose private healthcare, you typically sign a contract, and you will need to demonstrate that the terms of that contract were breached,  the outcome was not as expected and you have suffered avoidable harm as a result.

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.

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.

Legal Aid for Hospital 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.

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.

Our Hospital Negligence Solicitors

Our hospital negligence solicitors cover the entirety of England, and have physical offices in:

• Sheffield
• Barnsley
• Rotherham

You can arrange appointments face to face, or telephone or video call options may also be offered . If you cannot makes it to our office, we could arrange for a member of the team to visit you at home, if a home visit is needed due to your personal circumstances.

We will consider the merits of every claim brought to us and regardless of its size, complexity, or consequences suffered, we will give each one the care and attention it deserves.

We appreciate that worry about costs can be a barrier to getting professional help – don’t let it stop you. If we believe you have a claim, then we can potentially pursue it via one of several funding options or fee arrangements such as ‘no win, no fee’*.

If you choose us to investigate your hospital negligence claim for you, 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 on-going specialist care, housing, support, and welfare.
• Easing any fear, worry or distress caused by about the legal process and communicating regularly, openly, and sensitively.
• Remaining a strong, staunch, and tireless advocate for your rights.

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.