Making a Claim
Thank you very much for all you did for us. Our lives are so much better through your help.
Barry, Doncaster
You will be able to discuss in detail the medical facts of your claim with a member of the clinical negligence team. This is usually done on the telephone but we also offer a free one-hour interview. Depending on the facts of your claim you might also be asked to complete a questionnaire. As specialists we are able to assess the merits and facts of a case at a very early stage, this is partly due to the fact that we employ qualified nurses/midwives and three scientists, all of whom support the solicitors in our various work areas.
Our aim is to guide you through your clinical negligence claim in a clear and straightforward manner. If you have any questions or concerns we can address these at the very outset of your claim, and before you make any commitment to taking your case any further.
What details will I be asked for?
To enable us to thoroughly assess all aspects of your potential claim, we will ask you for the following details, and you will be called back where possible the same day:
- Medical details of claim
- Personal details
- Treating Hospital/Doctor or equivalent i.e. Dentist/Surgery
- Dates of treatment
- Why you think your care was negligent
- Financial information for funding
The clinical negligence team will provide you with instant advice as to the merits of your claim. If there are complicated medical or legal issues they will be discussed with the specialist solicitors and Partners in the clinical negligence department.
Funding your case
In any clinical negligence case we start by carrying out a full assessment of your claim. Following this we will discuss the funding options available to you and then investigate the issues by obtaining the relevant medical records and an independent expert opinion.
There are three main ways of funding your clinical negligence claim.
- Public Funding (formerly known as legal aid). In order to qualify for legal aid we need to carry out an assessment of your financial circumstances. Most children under 16 years of age will be automatically financially eligible for public funding.
- Legal Expense Insurance - you may have insurance to cover legal or medical claims included in an insurance policy, such as Home Contents Insurance. Once the insurers are satisfied as to the merits of any claim you wish to bring your legal costs will usually be covered under this insurance. Many people may have Legal Expenses Insurance but not realise it as it is often contained within the small print of the policy. We can review your policy and let you know if you have this insurance.
- Private funding - the cost of privately funding your claim will vary depending on the complexity of your case.
If you are funding your claim privately it may be possible to negotiate a Conditional Fee Agreement ('No Win, No Fee') or After the Event Insurance once the initial stages of the claim are completed and it is possible to assess your merits of success.
This is intended as a summary of what can be a complex area. All of the financial implications of whatever recommendation we make to you will be fully explained and discussed.
Moving forward
Having assessed your case as having merit and having discussed funding, you will also be given an outline of:
- How your claim will proceed
- Potential damages (compensation) you could expect to recover if your claim is successful
- Potential difficulties or strengths in your claim
- Timescales for action with regard to your case
Read more about our Clinical Negligence work.
Talk to an expert about making a claim
Call us on 0870 024 0558 or fill in our claim form and we will get back to you.
If you would like us to provide you with advice with regard to your potential claim, please complete our brief claim form. We will reply to your enquiry within one working day.
Fill out our quick claim form
If you would like to speak to someone directly about your claim, please call our friendly team on:
0870 024 0558