Medical Negligence Claims

Overview

Protecting your rights after medical mistakes.

Medical negligence (also known as clinical negligence) occurs when a healthcare professional breaches their duty of care, causing injury, harm, or loss to a patient. Doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical staff all have a legal obligation to carry out their duties responsibly and to a professional standard. Most of the time, patients receive safe and effective treatment, but when mistakes happen, the consequences can be life-changing – and this is where we step in.

At HHD, we have a proven track record of success in medical negligence claims, including securing the highest value settlement ever achieved in Northern Ireland – £8 million in damages for a single client.

Our dedicated team will ensure that your case is handled with professionalism, efficiency and sensitivity from start to finish. Our role is to guide you through the process step-by-step, working with medical experts to investigate your case and secure the maximum outcome.

Types Of Medical Negligence Claim

Medical negligence can take many forms, but below are some of the most common claims we deal with on behalf of patients and their families.

Birth Injury Claims/Cerebral Palsy

Birth injury cases are complex and emotionally challenging, particularly as you may not recall all of what happened during delivery. Negligence may arise from delayed caesarean sections, excessive force during delivery, or a failure to anticipate complications.

We have successfully represented children with cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, hip dysplasia and other life-changing conditions, as well as mothers who have sustained severe injuries during childbirth.

Misdiagnosis & Delayed Diagnosis

When illnesses are not diagnosed or treated promptly, patients may lose the chance of better treatment and outcomes. We have acted in a wide range of cases involving cancer misdiagnosis, cauda equina syndrome, macular degeneration, and orthopaedic injuries, where negligence has led to avoidable suffering.

Infection Cases

Hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA, C. Difficile, MSSA, and other resistant bacteria can be life-threatening.

In situations where a patient contracts these infections in hospital, due to negligent treatment by their medical professionals, this may give rise to a claim for medical negligence. Similarly, we have dealt with cases of necrotising fasciitis and infections passed from mother to baby during childbirth.

Cosmetic Surgery Errors

Negligence during cosmetic procedures can cause permanent scarring, uneven results, or even internal injury. We have experience in claims involving breast reductions resulting in unevenness, liposuction resulting in bowel perforation, facial procedures, and cases where foreign material has been left in the body following surgery.

We understand that in some of these cases, some women may feel more comfortable in dealing with a female solicitor, and this can be arranged should you wish to deal with them directly.

Dental Negligence

No one enjoys a visit to the dentist, but when your treatment is negligent, the experience is even more concerning. Where procedures are unnecessary, performed incorrectly, or fall below professional standards, you may be entitled to compensation. We advise on all types of dental negligence, whether medical or cosmetic, from both NHS and private treatment providers.

General Medical Negligence

We also advise on a wide range of other negligence claims, including surgical errors, failed sterilisation, retained instruments, hip replacement complications, and fatal accident cases. Whatever the circumstances, we handle every case with skill, efficiency, and care.

Funding Your Claim

Worried about funding your claim for medical negligence? We can talk you through our options.

Many cases qualify for Legal Aid, and our team will be happy to assist you in completing the necessary paperwork. If Legal Aid is not available, your home insurance policy may provide cover for initial investigations. We also have extensive experience arranging After The Event (ATE) insurance, giving you peace of mind that costs are covered.