The mechanics of making a claim

Your statement

At the outset of your claim it is very important that you tell us everything you can remember about the events which you believe caused your injury.  We will then help you to set out your recollection of events in a written statement.  If your claim involves an injury sustained at the time of your child's birth it is also useful to have statements from anyone else who was in the delivery room with you (aside from the healthcare professionals). 

Investigation

Your solicitor will then review your medical records and instruct a leading independent expert in the same area of medicine as the doctor or other person who we think may have been negligent.  The expert will be asked to write a report on the treatment you received.  If that report states that your treatment was substandard then a further report may be obtained from the same or a different expert examining whether the substandard treatment caused or contributed to your injury.

The start of your claim

Once your claim has been fully investigated we will set out the allegations of negligence against the hospital or doctor in a detailed 'letter of claim'.   This letter gives full details of the allegations of negligence and the injuries which have been suffered as a result. 
The letter gives the healthcare professional the opportunity to admit they were negligent.  If responsibility is not admitted, it may be necessary for court proceedings to begin.

Email our clinical negligence team.