Medical Negligence Solicitors in Swansea

If you have had substandard healthcare and you have been harmed as a result, you may be entitled to compensation. Our medical negligence solicitors in Swansea can represent you in bringing a claim against the provider and their insurer.

Our medical negligence claims team have been dealing with claims against doctors and other practitioners since the 1980’s and we have an excellent track record. We have particular expertise in handling complex and high-value cases where injuries are severe, including birth injuries, brain damage, spinal cord injuries, fatal accidents and amputations.

If you have been harmed by substandard healthcare treatment and you would like to speak to expert medical negligence solicitors in Swansea, please contact our Swansea office or use our simple contact form to ask a question or request a call back. We offer a free no-obligation chat so that you can ask us any questions you have and discuss how we can help you secure the compensation you are owed.

Our Swansea Medical Negligence Services

We have experience with all types of medical negligence claims, also referred to as clinical negligence claims, including:

• Hospital negligence
• GP negligence
• Surgical errors
• Cerebral palsy claims
• Head and brain injury claims
• Gynaecological negligence
• Birth injury claims
• Spinal injury claims
• Fatal Accident claims
• Oncological Claims
• A&E claims (Accident and Emergency claims)
• Misdiagnosis
• Delays in treatment
• Sepsis claims
• Ophthalmic (eye-related) claims
• Medical neglect

How To Make a Claim For Medical Negligence

If you believe you have a valid claim, the first step is to speak to solicitors with experience in dealing with medical negligence cases. Having advice and representation from experts is essential in this complex area of law.

Our medical negligence specialists can take on your case and stay by your side every step of the way, ensuring that you have the guidance you need.

We will start by talking through what has happened with you and answering your initial questions. We will gather evidence, including obtaining your medical records and asking medical experts to prepare reports on your injuries and prognosis.

Our solicitors will notify your healthcare provider that you intend to make a claim. This will generally be dealt with by their insurer and the insurer’s legal team.

If the other side admits liability for what has happened, we will negotiate with them to try and agree on a sum in compensation. Where this is not possible or they deny liability, we can ask the court to decide your case.

How Do I Prove Medical Negligence?

To establish a case, such as NHS negligence or claims against doctors, we need to prove the following:

• You were owed a duty of care by the healthcare practitioner
• This duty of care was breached
• You suffered harm as a result of this breach

A doctor or other healthcare practitioner, such as a pharmacist, nurse, dentist or cosmetic surgeon, has a duty to provide a service of a standard that would be expected of a reasonably competent professional in their field. This is referred to as their duty of care.

Should their care fall below this standard, we will then need to establish causation, or that your injuries were caused by this failure.

Do I Need To Go To Court For Medical Negligence?

We are almost always able to resolve medical negligence cases without a trial in court.  However, we generally advise starting the court process to secure the quickest response and resolution to the case.

We will advise you of your options and keep you updated throughout your case. If you receive offers in settlement of your claim, we will discuss with you whether you could potentially achieve more at court and provide the information you need to make a decision on whether to settle.

How Much Compensation Is Paid For Medical Negligence Cases?

Medical negligence compensation is divided into two categories:

• General damages; and
• Special damages

General damages are to compensate you for the pain, suffering and physical harm you have been caused, as well as any disability or loss of function you have been left with.

Special damages are paid for financial losses arising from the negligence, such as loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, the cost of specialist equipment and the cost of any care or therapy not provided by the NHS.

If you would like to discuss the amount of compensation you might be entitled to, call us today and we will be happy to answer your questions.

How Long Do Medical Negligence Claims Take?

The time taken to finalise medical negligence claims depends on the severity of the injuries and whether it is possible to settle out of court.

If your injuries are relatively minor and the other side agrees to pay you compensation, we may be able to resolve matters within a year.

If litigation is necessary, it can take substantially longer. For the most severe cases, you may be advised not to finalise matters straightaway so that we can assess how you will be affected in the future. Where necessary, we can ask the other side for interim payments so that you have financial support while your case is ongoing.

Is There a Time Limit For Medical Negligence Claims?

You must issue court proceedings within three years of the date you first became aware that you suffered significant injury due to medical treatment.

In fatal cases, the time limit for starting court proceedings is three years from the date of death.  Children have three years from the date of their 18^th birthday to issue court proceedings. For individuals who have not had the mental capacity to instruct a solicitor in a medical negligence claim, since the injury was suffered,  there is no time limit for starting a claim.  There is however a presumption that a Claimant has capacity unless and until proven otherwise, so it is advisable to obtain advice as soon as possible.

No Win No Fee Medical Negligence Claims In Swansea

We offer a no win no fee medical negligence claims service which means you can make a compensation claim without having to pay anything upfront. If you would like to call us, we can also discuss other options for funding, and which might be the best for your circumstances.

Why Choose JCP Solicitors In Swansea For Medical Negligence?

Our team has the experience to secure the best possible medical negligence compensation for you or your family. We know how daunting it will be to start a legal claim while you are suffering from the after-effects of medical negligence and our medical negligence lawyers will make sure that you have the support you need. We will make sure that you can speak to us as needed to discuss any concerns and ask questions as they arise.

We often receive referrals from other solicitors who recognise the level of specialism we offer. Our medical negligence compensation claims team is the largest in South West Wales and one of the leading teams in the whole of Wales. We are recognised by the Law Society for our expertise and are members of their Clinical Negligence Panel.

Our team members are also members of the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum, the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence panel and on the brain injury charity Headway’s list of approved solicitors.

As well as our Swansea office, we have branches throughout South Wales, East Wales and West Wales, including in Cardiff, Caerphilly and Carmarthen.

Contact Our Expert Medical Negligence Solicitors In Swansea

Speak to our medical negligence team today and we will do all we can to help.

Please contact our Swansea office or use our simple contact form to ask a question or request a call back.