Death Due to Medical Negligence | Howells Solicitors
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Death Due to Medical Negligence

Wrongful Death Claim Solicitors based in Sheffield, Rotherham, and Barnsley

If a death has occurred because of professional or medical negligence, and could’ve been prevented, it is a wrongful death. A wrongful death claim can potentially be brought by the surviving members of the victim’s family, or Executor of their Estate.

 

Our medical negligence solicitors can assess the claim for free and we can often take on medical negligence claims on a no win no fee basis* or on Legal Aid, in certain circumstances. The team are medical negligence specialists who deal with a wide variety of cases and support organisations such as Action against Medical Accidents [AvMA] and INQUEST.

Family Law Solicitors Rotherham

 

Death in Hospital, Care Homes, or at Home Following Treatment

When a wrongful death occurs due to medical negligence, it is a tragedy. It is always left to family and friends to try to sort out their finances, plan for the funeral and attempt to move on with their lives.

Claims can arise in a variety of different medical settings including death in hospital, care homes, and even at home following medical treatment.

You are also able to claim the funeral costs. In most circumstances, you are also able to seek compensation for yours and your family’s grief and suffering.

When to Make a Death Due to Medical Negligence Claim

Our medical negligence team can support you with your wrongful death claim and they have experience dealing with difficult and complicated cases.

You may be able to make a death due to medical negligence claim if you are the surviving spouse, civil partner, next of kin or parent of a child under the age of 18 for the loses caused by the wrongful death which can include:

  • A statutory bereavement award if the claim is made by a surviving spouse or a parent on behalf of a child under the age 18
  • Compensation for any pain and suffering that could have been avoided
  • Funeral expenses
  • Loss of love and affection
  • Loss of financial dependency including loss of earnings and/or pension
  • Loss of services provided such as care, home maintenance etc

There may also be a claim for other losses that will would need to be considered depending on the individual circumstances of the claim.

Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to discuss your situation today.

 

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.

Why Choose Howells for a Wrongful Death claim?

We will consider the merits of every wrongful death claim brought to us, and regardless of its size, complexity or impact, we’ll 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 a number of funding options or fee arrangements such as ‘no win, no fee’.

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
  • Removing any fear, worry or mystery about the legal process and communicating regularly, openly and sensitively
  • Remaining a strong, staunch and tireless advocate for your right

Contact us or call us on 0114 2496 611 to discuss your situation today.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Death Due to Medical Negligence Frequently Asked Questions

Can you Sue the NHS for Wrongful Death?

Yes, you can sue the NHS for death on behalf of the estate of the deceased.

How Long Do You Have to Make a Wrongful Death Claim?

Generally, the claim must be filed within three years of the death, however, the sooner you file the claim the better. 

How Much Compensation Could I Get for a Death Due to Medical Negligence Claim?

The amount of compensation will vary from case to case and depend on a variety of factors. This includes the level of pain and suffering experienced by the deceased, and the financial impact on the surviving family members.

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.

Medical Negligence Fees

We appreciate that worry about costs can be the biggest barrier to getting professional help – so 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 are eligible.

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.

Contact Us

Free Medical Negligence Initial Appointment

Do you think you have a claim? Our Medical Negligence team offer a free initial appointment on all types of potential compensation claims, big or small. Our compassionate and friendly Medical Negligence team will discuss your concerns with you and will let you know as soon as we can whether we can help. We will first ask you to provide some basic information about what has happened and how. We will 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 options with you.

Your initial appointment will be made by telephone, offering you complete flexibility. The appointment can be arranged to fit around lunch breaks or work commitments.

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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:

The Medical Negligence Team

Our medical negligence team headed up by the highly rated Michelle Gyte, is a specialist practice group driven hard by their belief that everyone is entitled to access to justice.

Professionally, this is a group of highly skilled, very diligent medical negligence lawyers who scrutinise every aspect of a claim, and represent their clients tirelessly. Very simply, they want to give people the best possible chance of continuing their lives with the requisite financial and medical support.

Personally, they are down to earth, friendly and approachable people whom you can talk to and confide in. They’ve seen most things and understand how these traumatic incidents can devastate lives, gauging the true cost of the physical, psychological and emotional damage sustained. They will listen and encourage and then use their technical skills to translate everything that they’ve heard and felt into positive action for you.

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.” His Honour Judge Robinson, Medical Negligence Case, 2021 talking of the Howells team.

Chambers UK

The prestigious Chambers UK 2022 guide ranks the department highly and says Howells is a “noteworthy team offering a broad range of clinical negligence advice to clients, including related human rights claims. Further experience in claims concerning issues surrounding failures in hospital care, including severe birth injuries and delayed diagnoses. Also acts on spinal injury claims, amputations and fatal accidents. The department possesses significant experience in medical inquests.”

“They go the extra mile for the client and are highly efficient.”

Michele Gyte is named as a Star Associate in this area of law and that she is “A very good lawyer – technical, conscientious and hard-working.”

Legal 500

The Legal 500 2022 recommends Howells Clinical Negligence department, saying “Michelle Gyte directs the clinical negligence offering at Howells Solicitors. A specialist in birth injury and fatal accidents, she oversees a team notable for its expertise in niche areas such as prison healthcare, inquests and the interests of secondary victims. Notably the firm also covers matters arising from mental health care, purported violations of the Human Rights Act and supports families during inquests linked to the coronial process.”

Jenna Kisala is also named as a key lawyer in this field.

Michelle Gyte

0114 249 6695
Jenna Kisala

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6754
Rebecca Pepper

0114 249 6712
Sasha Marshall-Congreve

0114 249 6706
Sharon Rinaldi

0114 249 6632
Elizabeth Walton

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6711
Sophie Hunter

Accident and Personal Injury

0114 249 66 66
Isabella Parkin

Medical Negligence

0114 249 66 62
Millie French Harling

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6658
Helen Martin

Medical Negligence

0114 249 6611
Bronwen Knowles

0114 249 6614