What is accident and emergency negligence?

A&E departments are high-pressured environments, providing a vital service in the most critical circumstances. If you’re suffering from a subsequent injury or illness, caused by the negligence of a medical professional, you may be entitled to claim compensation due to medical negligence.

Do I have an accident and emergency claim?

A&E mistakes usually occur during diagnosis or treatment. If you’ve suffered as a result of one of the following mistakes, you might be able to claim accident and emergency compensation:

Diagnosis error

• Mistake in taking a patient’s history
• Not examining a patient properly or noting their symptoms
• Not carrying out correct investigations including X-rays, scans and blood tests
• Misinterpreting the results, failing to read X-rays correctly
• Failing to admit patients; sending you home instead

Treatment error

• Incorrect treatment
• Failing to note deterioration
• Not operating
• Mistake during surgery
• Inadequate care after operations
• Neglecting the patient

What are the most common type of injuries and illnesses caused by A&E negligence?

Diagnosis and treatment errors can lead to all kinds of illnesses and injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Fractures
• Aortic aneurysm
• Meningitis
• Torsion
• Cauda equina syndrome

How much can I claim for accident and emergency negligence?

Every case of A&E negligence is different, and the final amount of compensation awarded will be based on the severity of the injury and the affect the injury has had on your life. Additionally, you'll also be able to claim for any lost earning, any long-term care rehabilitation and any necessary house adaptations to maximise the chance of recovery and independent living.

The vast majority of our accident and emergency claims are funded by a No Win No Fee agreement, so there’s no financial risk to you.

To establish your full legal position, call us on0330 041 5869 or contact us online here.

Can get help with costs before my case reaches a conclusion?

When suffering as a result of accident and emergency negligence, it can also have a negative financial impact, for example, if you’ve been unable to work, you may have lost earnings, or you may have to pay for treatment, rehabilitation and medication.

Interim payments are payments which can be made prior to your case reaching a final settlement to help relieve any financial burden. It can pay for private medical treatments and rehabilitation.

Interim payments are only available when the other side has admitted they were in some part to blame for the incident. We can help you secure interim payments. Contact us to establish your full legal position on 0330 041 5869.

How much time do I have to make an accident and emergency claim?

If you believe you have an accident and emergency claim, it’s important that you seek advice from a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence cases as soon as possible, as there are time limits in place in England, Scotland and Wales.

Generally, an accident and emergency claim should be made within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date you were first aware that you had suffered a significant injury or illness due to negligence. However, there are exceptions.

To read more about the time limits of making a claim, please read our medical negligence FAQs or our medical negligence claims guide.

Why choose Slater and Gordon's accident and emergency solicitors?

Not only do we have many years’ experience securing compensation for negligence in hospital A&E departments, we also have the utmost sensitivity to handle your case with great care.

We offer home and hospital visits and provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support. Contact us for a free consultation to help you understand whether or not you have a claim or call 0330 041 5869.

Can I change my solicitors to Slater and Gordon?

If you or a family member have been seriously impacted by medical negligence, and you feel that you're not getting the specialist legal advice you need from your current solicitor, we'll be happy to discuss switching your case to Slater and Gordon. Simply call our experts on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.