Clinical negligence compensation claim solicitors

When can I make a clinical negligence claim?

You usually need to make a claim within three years of the clinical negligence or becoming aware of it. There are some exceptions to this time limit: 

• If someone is under 18 at the time of negligence they have until their 21st birthday to claim. 
• There is no time limit for anyone who lacks the physical or psychological capability to make a claim. 

It's also possible to claim on behalf of someone else who is physically or psychologically unable to claim themselves. You can also claim on behalf of someone under 18. 

Claiming brings you no financial risk, as it will be on a no win no fee basis where you only pay legal fees if your claim is a success. You'll won't pay anything if you aren't awarded compensation, so there really is no financial risk to you. 

If you feel you might have a clinical negligence claim, contact us for free on or request a call back. We'll listen to what you've been through and let you know if we think you could make a claim. If you're eligible, we'll match you with a clinical negligence solicitor for more help.

What types of clinical negligence can I claim for?

We can help you with a claim for clinical negligence across a wide range of circumstances. Even if your situation isn't covered below please call us on as you may still be able to claim. 

GP or hospital negligence

Mistakes made in your GP practice or a hospital can have life-changing consequences. If you suffer from these or other forms of medical negligence, we can help you seek compensation:

• Claims against a negligent GP
• Negligence in a hospital, such as surgery mistakes or infections
• Negligent or poorly framed medical advice
• Misdiagnosis of a medical condition
• Medication errors where the wrong medication was given or prescribed
• Birth injuries to mother or infant, including cerebral palsy
• Missed fractures, possibly leading to long term complications
• Improper care for an orthopaedic injury
• Cases of failed sterilisation
• Sepsis, either through diagnosis errors or poor treatment
• Mistakes in mental health diagnosis or care

Dental negligence

If dental treatment caused you harm such as an infection or excessive pain, this could be a case of dental negligence. The same is true of inappropriate treatment, such as a dentist extracting the wrong teeth.

Dental negligence also includes making the wrong diagnosis or missing a problem that needs treatment. Both of these errors can lead to unnecessary suffering. 

The British Dental Association and General Dental Council both publish ethical guidelines. These include not attempting treatment they have not been trained for and always obtaining the patient's ‘valid informed consent' before treatment. If you suffer harm after a breach of these guidelines, you may have a compensation claim.

Clinical negligence lawyers don't just manage dental negligence cases involving dentists. Negligence by orthodontists, hygienists, dental nurses and dental therapists can also lead to compensation.

How much clinical negligence compensation could I receive?

Clinical negligence injuries vary hugely in scope and complexity, so it's difficult to judge here how much you might be awarded if your no win no fee claim succeeds. It depends on things like severity, recovery time and if you've also suffered financial losses as a direct result. These could include things like lost earnings and the cost of any extra or corrective treatment.

For a rough idea of how much your clinical negligence solicitor may secure for you in a successful claim, try our clinical negligence compensation calculator. We've got over years_since experience helping victims of accident and clinical negligence. It's quick and easy to use, and will give you an idea of how much your clinical negligence solicitor may secure for you.

You can also call us on or request a call back to talk to one of our helpline advisors. If you're eligible to make a claim and decide to proceed, your solicitor will be able to value your claim accurately and discuss possible clinical negligence compensation amountsafter a full investigation.

What's the difference between NHS and private clinical negligence claims?

When you bring a claim against the NHS, it's handled by NHS Resolution. This acts like an insurance company for the NHS. Funds are set aside to resolve patient claims and nothing comes out of budgets for delivering NHS services.

Medical negligence claims for private healthcare patients work differently. The General Medical Council (GMC) has guidelines for private healthcare practitioners. These state that they must take out their own liability insurance to cover negligence claims.

What are the time limits for making a clinical negligence claim?

You will normally have three years to make a clinical negligence claim. However, there are circumstances when someone has longer than three years to claim: 

• If you were under 18 at the time of the negligence and haven't claimed yet, you have three years until your 21st birthday to claim.
• There's no time limit for someone physically or psychologically unable to claim. That could be as a result of the clinical negligence or due to a pre-existing condition.

If you are in any doubt about these time limits and what they mean to you, please contact us. We can advise you on time limits, and any other questions you may have about making a clinical negligence claim. Please call us on or request a call back. to talk to an advisor about your circumstances.

Can I make a no win no fee clinical negligence claim?

At National Accident Helpline we specialise in no win no fee claims. This is a type of contract between you and your solicitor. It's also known as a conditional fee agreement.

Once your clinical negligence solicitor takes on your case, you won't face upfront costs or ongoing charges. Your solicitor covers everything throughout your case and you'll pay nothing if it isn't successful. 

If you win your case, the other side will need to contribute towards your legal costs and expenses. A shortfall in this contribution would be deducted from your compensation to cover your remaining costs and expenses.

The costs may include an ‘After the Event' (ATE) insurance policy. This is a policy taken out at the start of your claim to cover costs should you lose your case.  Other legal costs and fixed fees not met by the other side may also need to be paid, and possibly a ‘success fee' for winning your claim.

Your solicitor will explain and discuss how much you could pay if you win your case. This will happen before your claim starts, so you'll know what to expect, with no hidden surprises.

How do I start my clinical negligence claim with National Accident Helpline?

All it takes is a phone call to make a start with your no win no fee clinical negligence claim. We'll start by listening to what you've been through and if you appear to have a case, we'll put you in touch with suitable clinical negligence claims solicitors. 

All of the personal injury and clinical negligence lawyers we work with are registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This is the governing body of The Law Society that regulates personal injury solicitors in England and Wales. Our legal partners in Scotland are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

Please call our free clinical negligence advice helpline on  or request a call back. You can talk through your experience with one of our friendly, personal injury advisors. Tell us what happened in your own way and your own time and we'll help you understand your options.