Medical Law

Medical law encompasses all legal matters relating to healthcare, patient rights, and medical professional regulation. It includes clinical negligence claims, medical malpractice cases, healthcare regulation proceedings, patient rights disputes, and professional conduct matters. Medical law protects both patients who have suffered harm and healthcare professionals facing allegations.

You may have a medical negligence claim if a healthcare professional failed to provide the standard of care you had a right to expect, and this failure caused you injury or worsened your condition. You must prove duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, and actual harm. Our specialist solicitors can assess your case during a free consultation.

The general time limit is 3 years from the date you knew or should have known about the injury and that it was caused by negligence. For children, the 3-year limit starts from their 18th birthday. In cases involving mental incapacity, there may be no time limit. It's crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Yes, most medical negligence claims can be funded through Conditional Fee Arrangements (No Win No Fee) with After the Event insurance to cover the risk of paying the other side's costs if you lose. This means you won't pay legal fees if your case is unsuccessful, making justice accessible regardless of your financial situation.

Compensation varies greatly depending on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. Awards can range from a few thousand pounds for minor injuries to millions for cases involving severe disability or lifelong care needs. Compensation covers pain and suffering, lost earnings, medical costs, and future care requirements.

Key evidence includes your complete dental records, X-rays and clinical photographs, treatment plans and consent forms, receipts for private treatment, witness statements from family members about your condition before and after treatment, and expert dental evidence assessing whether the treatment met acceptable standards.

Simple cases typically take 12-18 months to resolve, while complex cases involving severe injuries can take 2-5 years or longer. The timeline depends on the complexity of medical issues, the severity of injuries, and whether the case settles or goes to court. We'll keep you informed throughout the process.

You can still pursue a medical negligence claim against the healthcare professional's estate or the institution where they worked (such as an NHS Trust). The claim would typically be made against their professional indemnity insurance. There's a separate 3-year time limit from the date of death for fatal cases.

Yes, you can claim against NHS Trusts for negligence by their employees, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. The NHS has a legal duty to provide care that meets acceptable standards. NHS Resolution handles claims on behalf of NHS organisations, and they have specific procedures for investigating and settling claims.

First, seek appropriate medical treatment for your condition. Then, gather your medical records and any relevant documentation. Contact a specialist medical negligence solicitor as soon as possible for a free case assessment. Don't delay, as time limits apply, and early legal advice can be crucial for preserving evidence.