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The clinical negligence work of our Stoke office is handled by an experienced team who regularly act for clients across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas.
Medical Negligence Solicitors in Stoke-on-Trent
When you need medical treatment, you place a huge amount of trust in the doctors and other healthcare professionals looking after you. Most of the time, that trust is well placed. However, if something goes wrong and the care you receive falls below an acceptable standard, the consequences can be life-changing.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or ongoing health issues due to medical negligence, you may be able to bring a medical negligence claim. Our dedicated medical negligence solicitors in Stoke have extensive experience and can guide you through each stage of the process. We focus on securing the compensation and support you need, so that you can concentrate on your recovery and your future.
How We Help You
We know that medical negligence can affect every part of your life, from your health and independence to your work and family. Our team handles a wide range of medical negligence claims, with particular expertise in the following key areas:
- Delayed Diagnosis & Misdiagnosis - If your condition was diagnosed late or diagnosed incorrectly, you may have experienced a range of issues, including unnecessary pain, or a worse long-term outcome. Our medical negligence solicitors in Stoke can help you pursue compensation, where earlier or accurate diagnosis could have made a difference.
- Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer - Prompt diagnosis is critical when it comes to cancer. Delays in recognising symptoms or acting on results can drastically affect treatment options and prognosis. We act for patients and families where late cancer diagnosis has caused avoidable harm, helping you secure compensation as well as vital answers about your care.
- GP Claims - Your GP is often your first point of contact when something doesn’t feel right. If your GP failed to examine you properly, did not refer you for specialist input, or prescribed inappropriate treatment, and this has caused you avoidable harm, we can advise you on bringing a medical negligence claim against the practice or doctor involved.
- Dental Negligence - Dental mistakes can lead to long-term pain or infection and the need for further corrective procedures. Whether you have experienced poor dental work, nerve damage, misdiagnosis of a dental condition or unnecessary extractions, our team can help you claim compensation for the injury and distress caused by negligent dental treatment.
- Fatal Accident Claims - Losing a loved one because of medical negligence is devastating. Our solicitors support families following fatal errors in hospitals, GP surgeries and other healthcare settings. We will guide you sensitively through the process of investigating what happened and seeking compensation, while ensuring those responsible are held to account.
Across all of these areas, we work closely with independent medical experts to build a clear picture of your treatment and the impact of any failings on your life. This allows us to provide realistic advice on how best to move your case forward.
FAQs
I am on means-tested benefits, how will they, and my claim, be affected?
If your medical negligence claim succeeds, the defendant will usually repay certain state benefits to the Department for Work and Pensions directly, so this does not normally reduce your compensation. However, if your compensation takes your savings above the threshold for means-tested benefits, your entitlement may be affected. In that situation, we can advise you about using a personal injury trust to help protect your benefits position.
Can I claim on behalf of a loved one who has passed away?
Yes, a claim may be possible if a loved one died as a result of medical negligence, including medical negligence NHS cases, or if they had an ongoing claim at the time of their death. The claim can usually be continued or brought by the estate and certain dependants, subject to specific rules and time limits. Our Stoke team can guide you through both the negligence investigation and any connected estate matters.
Can I claim on behalf of my parent or spouse who has been hurt in a care home?
You may be able to bring a claim if your parent or spouse has been injured in a care home, hospital or similar setting due to medical negligence or poor care. If your loved one has mental capacity, they will usually need to instruct us themselves, but if they lack capacity a suitable family member can often act for them as a Litigation Friend. We regularly act in such cases and can also advise on any safeguarding concerns that arise.
Do I have to pay tax on my compensation?
In general, compensation for personal injury or medical negligence is not taxable, although loss of earnings is usually calculated on a net (after tax) basis. Tax issues can become more complex where your compensation is invested and generates income. If needed, we can refer you to financial advisers who specialise in advising people who have received compensation from medical negligence claims.
Will I keep all of my compensation if I win?
If your claim is successful, we aim to recover as much of our basic legal costs as possible from the defendant, but some costs may still need to be deducted from your compensation. You will usually pay a success fee capped at 25%, and there may be a contribution towards any unrecovered costs or insurance premiums. Before settlement, we will give you a clear estimate of what you are likely to receive so you can make an informed decision.
What is After the Event (ATE) insurance?
After the Event (ATE) insurance is a policy you take out after a dispute has arisen to help protect you against certain costs if your medical negligence case is unsuccessful, such as court fees or expert reports. We will advise you if ATE insurance is appropriate in your case and explain what it covers. The premium is often only payable if your claim succeeds and would then be deducted from your compensation. The ATE premium would typically be covered by the 25% deduction taken from your compensation, so there are no charges made that exceed the 25% deduction.
