If you or a non-working family member has been a victim of medical negligence, Unite Legal Services can help you make a compensation claim.
We have a team of dedicated lawyers who specialise in running and winning medical negligence compensation claims. Using our decades of experience, we will investigate your case, collect the medical information needed to support your case and ensure your care and financial needs are covered.
Read below for more information on how Unite Legal Services can support you in making a medical negligence claim.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MAKING A MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIM
What is medical negligence?
Medical negligence occurs when a medical professional makes a mistake or fails to provide the required standard of care to you during treatment. Medical negligence can refer to a misdiagnosis, receiving the wrong treatment or a surgical mistake that leads to an injury or makes an existing condition worse.
What should I do if I am concerned about the care or treatment I have received from a medical professional?
If you are concerned about the care or treatment you have received from a medical professional, you should contact Unite Legal Services. Our expert lawyers will provide legal advice and investigate whether or not you have a case to make a medical negligence claim.
How can I prove my injury is from medical negligence?
Our expert lawyers will help you prove that you have been a victim of medical negligence. We will work with you to show that the medical professional did not treat you in a manner that was in line with a ‘responsible body of medical opinion’.
After medical negligence has been proved, your lawyer will help you to demonstrate that the negligence caused your injury. This can be the most challenging part of most medical negligence claims, as the medical professional could suggest that your injury was caused by your illness or would have happened with or without the treatment. Your lawyer will work with you to gather the medical evidence and opinions of independent medical experts to prove otherwise.
What types of medical negligence claims can Unite Legal Services help me with?
Unite Legal Services has experience of running and winning several types of NHS and private medical negligence claims. Our medical negligence lawyers can support you in making a claim for:
- Brain and head injuries
- Cerebral palsy
- Birth injury
- Vaginal mesh
- Medical amputation
- Spinal cord
- Fatality
- Misdiagnosis
- Scaphoid fracture
- Prescription error
- Faulty product, such as metal-on-metal hip implants, equipment or medicine.
How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim?
There is a standard three-year time limit for all medical negligence claims. This means you have three years from the date of your surgery/treatment, or from when you discovered your symptoms were a result of clinical negligence, to commence court proceedings.
How will my claim be assessed?
All clinical negligence enquiries are reviewed as part of your union membership by Unite’s expert lawyers and you will be provided with advice following their assessment. Unite’s lawyers are only able to accept and proceed with claims, which they assess as being more likely than not to succeed. Our experienced team will advise you of any other options that might be open to you if they are not able to take your case on.
How much will it cost me to make a medical negligence claim?
As a Unite member, you and your immediate family have free access to Unite Legal Services. This means you are entitled to free legal advice from our expert lawyers and that there are no hidden costs or fees when making a claim. If your claim is successful, the only fees payable will be a success fee capped at 20% of damages and the cost of after the event insurance that is required to protect you from any adverse costs*. All fees will be explained in full by Unite’s expert lawyers.
*Isle of Man
Note that differing rules apply to Isle of Man resident Unite members where success fees are not permitted.
While Unite may fund your medical negligence claim, you may be liable for any shortfall in legal costs recovered as against those incurred.
This is set out in our Isle of Man panel firm’s terms letter you will receive.
How can Unite Legal Services help me to make a compensation claim?
If you or a non-working family member has been injured as a result of medical negligence, Unite Legal Services can help. Our specialist team understands the impact of medical negligence and will work hard to get you the compensation and support you deserve.
Your lawyer will make sure your compensation covers the pain and suffering you have experienced, as well as the costs of any medical rehabilitation you need because of medical negligence. Where suitable, your lawyer will obtain an interim payment to help support you while they settle your case.
To start a medical negligence claim, contact our specialist lawyers on 0800 709 007 for free legal advice today.
