Our specialist medical claims solicitors
Here at Bonallack & Bishop, our Wiltshire based team are highly experienced in clinical negligence compensation claims. (Clinical negligence is just another term for medical negligence. It means exactly the same thing.)
Call or Email Us for Your FREE Specialist Clinical Negligence Advice – free phone advice and a free first appointment– face-to-face or by Zoom video call. Simply call us on Salisbury 01722 422300
The importance of appointing a specialist clinical negligence solicitor
Compensation claims following medical errors are highly specialised and involve a particularly complex areas of law. What’s more, as well as having a thorough understanding of the law, your clinical negligence solicitor will also need a firm grasp of medicine. That’s why it’s so important that your solicitor is a genuine specialist. We are Clinical Negligence specialists and our team includes an accredited member of the Law Society’s specialist Personal Injury Panel.
A specialist medical negligence solicitor will be able to speak to you in detail about your claim and how much compensation you can approximately expect. They will also represent you in Court in the unlikely event that your claim results in a contested hearing – fortunately most cases settle. You will have to have detailed discussion with your solicitor about what you want to achieve. Although people normally just want compensation, these cases can be more complicated. For example, you may want a Hospital to change its practices or certain members of staff to be disciplined.
Our Experts Can Help You with a Full Range of Medical Claims
Although our team have the skill and experience necessary to cover all types of clinical negligence claims but have particular experience of the following types of claims:
· GP mistakes – Click here to read more about GP negligence compensation claims
· Surgical errors – Click here to read more about surgical negligence compensation claims
· Compensation resulting from misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
· Claims arising out of cancer misdiagnosis or mistreatment Click here to read more about cancer misdiagnosis compensation claims
· Women and children’s health claims
· Birth injury claims – Click here to read more about birth injury claims
· Spinal injury claims
· Head injury compensation claims
· Nursing home negligence claims – Click here to read more about nursing home negligence claims
How We Can Help You with Your Claim for Compensation
Our experienced team deals with medical negligence compensation claims throughout England and Wales , usually on a no win no fee basis – and particularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset. So if you or your loved ones are unfortunate enough to have been the victim of a medical accident, contact us for
- FREE initial phone advice
- a FREE initial appointment on all medical negligence enquiries – so one of our Lawyers can see whether your claim is worth pursuing, and if so what level of compensation you are likely to be awarded – without the need to incur any legal costs
- When using the team here at Bonallack & Bishop, you’ll have a working relationship, right from the start, with an expert claims solicitor. We do not use inexperienced, unqualified claims handlers.
- We also run compensation claims on ‘no win no fee’ schemes.
Click here to read more about making a no win no fee claim
- Home or hospital visits throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset for those unable to travel. Alternatively, we are happy to speak to you using Zoom video
Click here to read more about how to make a medical negligence claim
Can I sue a private doctor for medical negligence?
Yes, you can bring a medical negligence claim against both NHS and private doctors if their treatment fell below an acceptable standard of care and caused you harm. The legal test is the same – your solicitor must show that the doctor owed you a duty of care, that duty was breached, and you suffered injury or loss as a result.
With private doctors, the claim is usually made against their professional indemnity insurance rather than against the NHS. The process is very similar: evidence is gathered, independent medical experts review what happened, and compensation may cover pain, suffering, and financial losses such as treatment costs or time off work.
What is the time limit for bringing a medical negligence claim in the UK?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or three years from when you first realised something had gone wrong, to start a medical negligence claim. This is called the “limitation period.”
There are some exceptions. For children, the three-year time limit doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday, meaning they have until they turn 21 to bring a claim. For people who lack mental capacity, the time limit may not apply at all unless capacity is regained. Because these rules can be complex, it’s always best to get legal advice as soon as possible.
Can I claim medical negligence on behalf of someone who has died?
Yes. If a loved one has passed away due to medical negligence, their family or estate may still be able to make a claim. This can include compensation for pain and suffering before death, funeral costs, and financial losses suffered by dependants.
Claims are usually brought by the executor of the estate or by close family members such as a spouse, partner, or child. These cases can also be linked to inquests where concerns about the medical care are investigated. A solicitor can guide you through the process and help you understand what compensation may be available.
How do I prove medical negligence?
To succeed in a medical negligence claim, you need to show two things:
- That the care you received fell below a reasonable standard. This means other competent doctors or healthcare professionals would not have acted in the same way.
- That the mistake caused you harm. It’s not enough that something was done badly – you must also show that the negligence made your condition worse or led to additional injury or loss.
Solicitors usually work with independent medical experts who review your records and give an opinion on whether negligence occurred. Gathering evidence like medical notes, letters, and witness accounts also helps to prove your case.
How a trust can help you protect your compensation
A successful medical negligence claim can often result in a substantial compensation award, and it is important to plan carefully how that money is managed. One option is a personal injury trust, which ring-fences your compensation so it can be used for your care and needs without interfering with state benefits.
Here at Bonallack Bishop our team includes a highly specialist experience trust solicitor. She can advise you on whether this is the right step, set up the trust for you, and ensure that your settlement is properly protected in the long term.
Click here to read how a personal injury trust could help you
Don’t delay – for your Medical Negligence Claim – call us today
People often don’t realise that strict time limits apply to medical compensation claims. If you wait too long you may miss your chance to win the compensation you deserve.
So call our team today to take the first step towards winning damages.
- Simply call us Salisbury [01722] 422300 or FREEPHONE 0800 1404544, or
- Contact us via the enquiry form below
Our Salisbury Office