UK Medical Negligence · Independent Information
Medical Negligence Compensation Claims
Were you harmed by NHS or private healthcare in the UK? You may be entitled to compensation. This independent guide explains your rights, the law, and how regulated solicitors handle claims — clearly and without pressure.
Plain-English
legal explanations
UK Law
Bolam, Bolitho & Montgomery
3-Year
limitation period
SRA-Regulated
solicitor guidance
The Basics
What is medical negligence in the UK?
Short answerMedical negligence (also called clinical negligence) happens when a UK healthcare professional's care falls below the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner in their field, and that failure causes harm the patient would not otherwise have suffered. Both breach of duty and causation must be shown for a compensation claim to succeed.
The legal test was established in Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee and refined in Bolitho v City and Hackney HA. It applies to NHS and private care alike — from GPs and hospital consultants to dentists, midwives and care home staff.
Browse by topic
Where would you like to start?
Whether you're recovering from a misdiagnosis, supporting a loved one after a surgical error, or simply trying to understand what happened — start with the section that fits your situation.
Types of Medical Negligence
Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, birth injuries, medication mistakes and more — explained simply.
Read moreYour Patient Rights
The legal duty of care owed to you under UK law and what providers must do when things go wrong.
Read moreThe Claims Process
From letter of claim to settlement — the realistic stages, time limits and evidence involved.
Read moreNo Win No Fee Explained
How Conditional Fee Agreements work, what 'success fees' mean, and what you may pay if a claim fails.
Read moreThings you should know
The essentials, before you read on
You may be entitled to compensation
If a healthcare professional's care fell below the accepted standard and caused you harm, UK law allows you to seek compensation. A regulated solicitor can review your individual circumstances against the legal tests.
There are strict time limits
Most clinical negligence claims must be started within three years of the incident or of your date of knowledge. Different rules apply for children and those without mental capacity.
You don't have to face it alone
Specialist medical negligence solicitors regulated by the SRA can review what happened, gather independent medical evidence, and explain your options — often on a No Win No Fee basis.
Ready to understand your options?
Read our plain-English guide to the UK clinical negligence claims process — what happens, how long it takes, and what evidence you'll need.
Read the Claims Process Guide