When you visit a healthcare professional, you expect safe and competent care. Most medical treatments in the UK are delivered to a high standard, but mistakes can and do happen. If you or someone close to you has suffered because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
At Marley Solicitors, we help individuals and families in Harborne and the wider Birmingham area hold medical providers accountable when treatment falls below acceptable standards. Whether your experience involved a GP, hospital consultant, nurse, or another healthcare provider, understanding how medical malpractice claims work is the first step towards getting justice.
This guide explains what medical malpractice is, how to identify it, how the claims process works, and why acting early can make a difference.
What is medical malpractice?
Medical malpractice, also known as clinical negligence, occurs when a healthcare provider gives care that is substandard and leads to avoidable harm or injury. This can happen in NHS services or private practices, and the impact can be physical, emotional, and financial.
To bring a successful claim, you need to prove:
- The care you received was negligent (i.e., it fell below reasonable professional standards)
- The negligence directly caused you injury or worsened your condition
This is a legal process that requires clear evidence and expert advice, so it’s vital to seek support from solicitors with experience in this complex area of law.
Medical negligence in Harborne: common examples
Residents in Harborne are typically treated in local clinics, dental surgeries, and larger nearby hospitals such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. While many receive excellent care, some suffer preventable harm due to:
Incorrect or delayed diagnosis
If a serious condition is misdiagnosed or not identified in time, the chance to treat it early may be lost. This is especially serious in cases like cancer or heart disease, where early intervention can save lives.
Surgical mistakes
Errors during surgery, such as performing the wrong operation or leaving surgical instruments inside the body, can cause long-term complications and require further corrective procedures.
Prescription or medication errors
Prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failing to check for allergies can lead to severe side effects or worsening of the patient’s condition.
Maternity and childbirth injuries
Mistakes during pregnancy or childbirth can result in injury to the baby or mother. Examples include a failure to monitor foetal distress or delayed responses to emergencies.
Inadequate follow-up care
Negligent aftercare, such as failing to spot infections or not providing proper post-surgical monitoring, can worsen recovery or lead to avoidable hospital readmissions.
Who can be held accountable?
Medical negligence claims are not limited to doctors alone. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to bring a claim against:
- General practitioners (GPs)
- Hospital trusts
- Surgeons
- Nurses and midwives
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Private clinics or specialists
Whether your treatment took place at a Harborne surgery or a larger Birmingham hospital, legal responsibility can lie with individual professionals or the organisation they work for.
How do you know if you have a valid claim?
If you experienced poor medical treatment that caused harm, you may be eligible to make a claim. Ask yourself the following:
- Was the care below what would be expected from a reasonably competent medical professional?
- Did you suffer physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result?
- Could the harm have been avoided with proper care?
Even if you’re unsure, it’s worth speaking to a specialist solicitor who can evaluate your case. At Marley Solicitors, we provide free initial consultations to help you understand your legal position.
What is the time limit for medical malpractice claims?
In most cases, you have three years from the date the negligent treatment occurred or from the date you first became aware of the harm. There are exceptions:
- Children: Claims can be made at any time before the child turns 18. After that, they have three years to bring a claim.
- Individuals lacking mental capacity: There is usually no time limit until or unless mental capacity is regained.
Because building a strong claim takes time, we recommend speaking to a solicitor as early as possible to avoid missing key deadlines.
How medical negligence claims work
The claims process is structured but can vary depending on the complexity of your case. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:
1. Free legal consultation
Our team will discuss your experience and review whether you have a potential claim.
2. Collecting evidence
We request your medical records, obtain statements, and gather documentation to show the treatment you received and the impact it had.
3. Medical expert review
We work with independent medical professionals who will assess whether your care breached acceptable standards.
4. Letter of claim
If there is enough evidence, we send a formal claim to the healthcare provider or their legal team, outlining what went wrong and the damages sought.
5. Response and negotiation
The provider has four months to respond. They may accept responsibility or dispute the claim. If they deny liability, we may proceed to court, though many cases settle beforehand.
6. Compensation awarded
If your claim is successful, you’ll receive compensation covering the physical, emotional, and financial impact of the negligence.
What compensation can cover?
Compensation (also known as damages) is intended to help restore your quality of life as much as possible. It may include:
- General damages: For pain, suffering, and loss of amenity
- Special damages: For financial losses such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Travel costs
- Private treatment or rehabilitation
- Adaptations to your home
- Future care needs
The amount awarded varies based on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life. For example, a minor delay in diagnosis may lead to a smaller settlement than permanent disability caused by a surgical error.
No win, no fee medical negligence solicitors in Harborne
We understand that the idea of legal fees can put people off pursuing a claim. That’s why we offer no win, no fee arrangements in medical negligence cases.
With this agreement, you won’t pay any legal costs upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t owe us anything. If your case succeeds, our costs are recovered from the other side, with your portion agreed in advance and deducted from your compensation.
This approach ensures you can access high-quality legal support without financial risk.
Why choose Marley Solicitors for your claim?
Choosing the right solicitor can make a huge difference to the outcome of your case. Here’s why clients across Harborne trust Marley Solicitors:
- Specialist medical negligence expertise: Our team has years of experience handling claims involving a wide range of medical errors.
- Dedicated client care: We provide clear, honest guidance and support you through every stage of the process.
- Local knowledge: We understand how NHS trusts and private providers operate in Harborne and Birmingham, and how to build strong cases against them.
- Track record of results: We have helped many clients receive substantial compensation for harm caused by negligent medical care.
When you work with us, you can expect compassion, professionalism, and tireless legal representation.
Supporting you beyond the legal process
Making a claim is not just about compensation. At Marley Solicitors, we take a broader view of what justice means. We help connect clients with services and resources that can support their recovery, such as:
- Counselling or therapy referrals
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy services
- Community support groups
- Financial advice for long-term care
Our goal is to ensure you feel supported during and after the legal process.
Talk to a Harborne medical negligence solicitor today
If you believe you or someone close to you has suffered due to medical negligence, do not delay in getting legal advice. The earlier you speak to a solicitor, the better your chances of building a strong claim.
At Marley Solicitors, we offer confidential, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
Call our team today or complete our quick online form to request a callback.
Marley Solicitors – your trusted legal partner for medical malpractice claims in Harborne.