Fatal Medical Negligence Claims

Losing a loved one due to medical negligence can be an emotional and heartbreaking experience, particularly if the death could have been avoided. We are specialist solicitors for fatal medical negligence claims. We have created this guide to provide you with everything you need to know to seek the justice, support and compensation you deserve.

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When Can Clinical Negligence Occur?

Clinical negligence, also known as medical negligence, happens when the actions or inaction of a healthcare professional fall below the expected standard of care, resulting in the patient suffering harm. When treating a patient, such as offering a diagnosis, medical treatment or conducting surgery, doctors, nurses and other relevant staff have benchmarks to follow to safeguard the person’s health and wellbeing. Failing to meet these standards can have significant consequences for the patient, including causing injury, worsening their condition or leading to death.

Negligence can come from mistakes, errors in judgment, malpractice, or other preventable accidents. Medical professionals can include public healthcare staff, such as those working at your local GP surgery (e.g. doctors and administration personnel) or hospitals, or private healthcare providers like dental surgeries, cosmetic clinics and nursing homes.

Common examples of incidents that lead to medical negligence include:

Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a condition
Prescribing or administering incorrect medication
Surgical mistakes, such as leaving medical equipment in the body
Not properly informing the patient about risks
Failing to arrange essential follow-up appointments
Inadequate monitoring after treatment
Lack of hygienic care, leading to infections
Ignoring post-treatment complications
Administering the incorrect amount of anaesthetic
Maternity mistakes, leading to birth-related injuries for the mother and/or child

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What Compensation Can I Claim?

Compensation for medical negligence can come in various forms, including General Damages and Special Damages. General damages may cover factors like the pain and suffering of the deceased, their injuries and impairment, and their reduced quality of life. Guidelines from the Judicial College are often used to calculate these types of damages. Special damages cover expenses and financial costs incurred due to the negligence, including medical fees, loss of earnings, care costs, funeral expenses, etc. Other considerations include dependency claims (loss of financial support or services like childcare), the bereavement award and other potential compensation avenues.

Contact our solicitors to learn more about the types of compensation you might be eligible for based on your specific situation.

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Who Pays the Compensation for Medical Negligence?

People often worry about making a medical negligence claim because of its negative impact on the organisation, such as a hospital or GP surgery, and the people who work there. Firstly, the individual doctor or healthcare professional will not be responsible for paying the damages. Private healthcare providers should have relevant insurance policies to cover scenarios like negligence; therefore, their insurance company will be responsible for paying the compensation. The NHS Resolution, a department for resolving concerns and disputes, will usually handle compensation claims made against NHS Trusts. Compensation is crucial for helping victims and families with financial support while holding professionals accountable to prevent the same mistake from happening again, so don’t hesitate – get your claim in today.

Start Your Claim for Fatal Medical Negligence Compensation

Starting a claim might feel overwhelming and the last thing on your mind during this difficult time, but our expert solicitors are here to guide you. We’re proud to adopt a compassionate approach, focusing on giving clients the advice and support they need while helping them get the maximum compensation they deserve.

Our process starts with an initial no-obligation consultation. Clients can contact us via phone or email to describe their situation, and we will explain the legal options and answer any questions they have. If the client appoints us to manage their fatal medical negligence claim, we will work immediately to build the strongest possible case by collecting crucial evidence. We will submit the claim on behalf of the client and aim to get the case settled as smoothly and quickly as possible, including negotiating with the other party to reach a suitable settlement. Throughout the process, we will take the hassle away from the client so they can focus their time and attention elsewhere.

If you believe you have a claim or have any questions, click the button below to contact us.

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Frequestly Asked Questions

Under UK laws, civil compensation claims typically have a time limit of three years. Therefore, most claims must be submitted within three years of the incident or when the deceased first noticed their symptoms. There may be situations where the time limitation is different, or if there are extenuating circumstances, a court could decide to extend the limit. Different rules may apply if the case involves a child or someone who lacks mental capacity. We recommend speaking to a solicitor for tailored advice on the deadline to submit your claim.

The solicitor's fees are the only costs you should expect to pay in a compensation claim. Many solicitors, including ourselves, will manage claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. This policy means there are no upfront costs and you will only pay the solicitor's fees if your claim succeeds. It removes the financial risk for claimants, ensuring they have peace of mind in pursuing compensation without fearing losing money if the claim is unsuccessful.

Fatal medical negligence claims can be complex and emotionally challenging, so picking the right solicitor to manage the case on your behalf is vital. We have an experienced team of solicitors who can offer expert legal advice with genuine compassion and understanding. As specialists in fatal accident claims, we have a proven track record of successfully securing justice and compensation for families who’ve suffered a devastating loss due to negligence. We handle every case with care, professionalism, and determination, and we will keep you informed at every stage. With a No Win, No Fee policy, clients don’t have to worry about hidden fees or losing money, and we are committed to putting their needs first and helping them secure compensation.