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NHS Negligence Claims

NHS Negligence Solicitors based in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Nationwide

The NHS exists to provide vital health services for the public, and sometimes the standards that are needed and expected by NHS healthcare professionals falls short. This can lead to devastating results for those that are sick or recovering from an illness. This is sometimes caused by medical negligence, and you may be able to make an NHS negligence claim if you have been affected.

 

Our NHS negligence solicitors can assess your claim against the NHS for free and we can often take on medical negligence claims on a no win no fee basis* and limited claims on Legal Aid.

 

Our team of solicitors are part of one of the largest medical negligence teams in the north of England. The team are accredited in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as one of the top medical negligence firms in the country. They are accredited by the Law Society, and have many positive client reviews, and the number one rated law firm in the UK on Review Solicitors for medical negligence solicitors. They are consistently praised for their empathetic communication, always making time to listen to and guide their clients.

 

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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.

 

Types of NHS Negligence Claims

All doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care when diagnosing and treating their patients. If there is medical negligence during treatment or care in an NHS run institute, then an NHS compensation claim could be made. This includes the following:

– GP negligence, including negligence by a physician associate

– Hospital negligence against NHS run hospitals

– Poorly managed pregnancy and labour that result in birth injuries in an NHS hospital

– Delayed diagnosis at a hospital or by a GP

– Infections caused whilst staying at an NHS run hospital

– Misdiagnosis of medical conditions that lead to incorrect treatment

– Medication errors and prescription error claims

– Cancer claims due to delayed or misdiagnosis

Medical negligence 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.

 

Worried about claiming against the NHS?

Claims are generally managed by solicitors for the NHS, not your local hospital or doctor.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Can I Make a Claim Against the NHS For Medical Negligence?

Deciding to pursue an NHS compensation claim can be challenging and overwhelming due to the legal complexities involved. Our experienced NHS negligence claims 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.

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

 

NHS Negligence Solicitors

Given the complexities that can arise when pursuing an NHS negligence claim, it is important you choose a specialist medical negligence solicitor with a proven track record of handling complex clinical cases.

Our NHS 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 NHS 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.

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

 

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.

 

Our NHS 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.

 

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.

NHS Negligence Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you are still entitled to healthcare and treatment on the NHS, even if you have submitted an NHS compensation claim. If you would feel uncomfortable continuing to receive care and treatment at your practice, you can change your healthcare provider and receive treatment elsewhere if you’d prefer.

A medical negligence claim can’t directly affect any internal action against those responsible for any negligence. A medical negligence claim runs separately to any formal action taken by the NHS institutions against any medical professional.

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.

There are strict time limits for NHS 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 and investigations are a slow process, so if you have been subject to medical negligence, you should contact a medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible.

How can we help? Contact us today

Contact us on 0114 2496 611 and one of our advisors will be in touch to discuss your situation. We will take some initial information and if we can help, we will book you in for a consultation with a legal professional.

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Free Medical Negligence Claim Assessment

Our Legal 500 accredited Medical Negligence team offers a free, confidential initial assessment to help you understand whether you may be entitled to compensation. We review the information and paperwork you provide to assess whether your circumstances may meet medical negligence criteria, with no obligation to proceed. You’ll receive clear confirmation on whether we may be able to help, an explanation of next steps, and information about funding options, including No Win No Fee*. If your case is suitable, we’ll guide you through the process with expert, compassionate support, offering flexible remote or in‑person appointments across Sheffield, Barnsley, and Rotherham.

Check if you have a medical negligence claim

Our Medical Negligence Services:

Request a Call back

The Howells Solicitors law team are compassionate, down-to-earth and professional, offering you the best expert advice. Get in touch with solicitors in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley to see how we can help. Fill in the form or give us a call at:

Solicitors For NHS Negligence Claims

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.

Michelle Gyte

0114 249 6695
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Jenna Kisala

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6754
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Amy Fiddler

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6673
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Rebecca Pepper

0114 249 6712
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Tom Warlow

Wills, Trusts & Probate

0114 274 34 81
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Elizabeth Walton

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6711
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Helen Martin

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6611
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