Clinical Negligence
Clinical Negligence Solicitors
Clinical negligence claims arise when poor medical care, or a delay in diagnosis, causes avoidable harm. They depend heavily on expert medical evidence, which is why specialist solicitors handle them in England and Wales.
- Verified solicitors
- Regulated firms
- Free to use
Overview
What this area covers
Clinical negligence (sometimes called medical negligence) covers claims where healthcare fell below an acceptable standard and caused avoidable harm. Not every poor outcome is negligent: medicine carries risk, and the question is whether the care given was one that a responsible body of practitioners would support, and whether it made a difference to the outcome.
Common situations
When you may need a clinical negligence solicitor
- You believe treatment by a GP, hospital, dentist or other provider caused avoidable harm.
- A diagnosis was missed or delayed and your condition worsened.
- A baby or mother was injured during birth.
- You have received the outcome of a complaint and want to consider a claim.
The solicitor’s role
How a clinical negligence solicitor can help
A specialist solicitor obtains your medical records, instructs independent medical experts on standard of care and causation, and advises whether a claim is viable. These claims are expert-led and can take considerable time; a solicitor manages this and negotiates with the NHS Resolution or private insurer.
Costs
What does a clinical negligence solicitor cost?
Claims are commonly funded by conditional fee agreements, sometimes with insurance to cover expert costs. Legal aid for clinical negligence is usually only available where a child suffered a brain injury during pregnancy, birth or the first eight weeks of life, and eligibility rules still apply.
Getting ready
What to prepare before contacting a solicitor
- A timeline of treatment with dates and providers
- Any complaint correspondence
- Names of hospitals and clinicians
- How the injury has affected you
Choosing a solicitor
Choosing a solicitor
Look for dedicated clinical negligence teams. Accreditation such as the Law Society or AvMA clinical negligence panels indicates specialism.
Every firm listed on Verified Solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. You can compare firms’ profiles, locations and reviews before getting in touch.
Find clinical negligence solicitors
Search Verified Solicitors for SRA-regulated firms that handle clinical negligence matters, then compare their profiles.
- Verified solicitors
- Regulated firms
- Free to use
A common question
Should I complain first?
A complaint can give explanations and an apology, but it does not stop the time limit for a legal claim running. You can complain and take legal advice at the same time.
Related legal services
The information on this page is general information, not legal advice. The law and procedures can change and how they apply will depend on your circumstances.