Accident and Emergency Claims
If you’ve experienced an injury as a result of treatment provided in an Accident and Emergency Department, unfortunately you are not alone. According to NHS Resolution’s 2023-24 annual report, the NHS received 10,900 clinical negligence claims in that period, of which 13.3% (around 1,450 claims) involved errors in emergency treatment, including care provided in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments. The evidence is that negligence in emergency care treatment does occur and if you’ve been affected, you have the right to seek answers and compensation by bringing a medical negligence claim with us at The Medical Law Partnership.
What are common examples of Hospital Accident and Emergency Department mistakes?
A&E departments are busy environments, and errors occur both because of misjudgements by clinical staff and also because of issues with the system being operated by the hospital in question like under-staffing of the department.
Common mistakes which patients report to us include misdiagnosis, e.g. failing to spot a heart attack, stroke, or fracture, which can delay life-saving treatment and cause an adverse outcome and delayed treatment due to overcrowding or poor prioritisation or inadequate assessment of patients, particularly in busy A&E departments. We hear of failures to order critical tests or imaging, such as CT scans for head injuries, which result in serious conditions lying undetected, while errors in the prescription of medication e.g. administering the wrong medicine or the correct medicine but in the wrong dose can lead to significant injury, as can the premature discharge of patients who later deteriorate. We find that these errors can lead to worsened health, prolonged recovery, or even permanent disability. If you have suffered an avoidable injury then bringing a medical negligence claims will not only result in the hospital being held accountable and potentially changing its processes to avoid repetition, but will also help you recover financially, physically, and emotionally.
Starting your claim with The Medical Law Partnership is straightforward. Begin by contacting us for a free, no-obligation conversation. You can call or fill in our online form, and we’ll listen carefully to your experience. If we believe negligence has occurred, we’ll guide you through the next steps. These include obtaining your medical records and working with independent medical experts to review your care. These experts will assess whether the treatment you received fell below acceptable standards and caused you harm. We’ll handle all the legal complexities, from negotiating with the NHS to building a strong case based on the facts of your treatment and circumstances. Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed, answer your questions, and ensure you feel supported. Crucially, we work on a “No Win, No Fee” basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and our fees are only due if your claim succeeds.
Compensation is designed to address both the impact of your injury and the financial losses you’ve faced. General damages cover the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by the negligence. For example, a misdiagnosed fracture that leads to long-term mobility issues might result in compensation between £5,000 and £20,000. Severe cases, such as permanent disability due to a missed stroke, could reach six-figure sums. Special damages reimburse financial losses, including past and future lost earnings, travel costs for medical appointments, rehabilitation expenses, or home adaptations required due to your injury. If you need care from family or professionals during your recovery, these costs can also be claimed. Every case is unique, so we’ll work closely with you to ensure all aspects of your suffering—both tangible and intangible—are fairly reflected in the compensation you receive.
The timeline for your claim depends on its complexity and whether the NHS admits fault early on. Straightforward cases, where negligence is clear and liability is accepted quickly, often settle within 2-4 years. However, if the NHS disputes your claim or your injuries require long-term prognosis reports (common in severe or life-changing cases), it may take longer. Delays can also arise if further expert evidence is needed or court proceedings become necessary, though most cases resolve without going to trial. While we understand you’ll want your claim to be settled as soon as possible, we’ll never rush the process at the expense of a fair outcome. We’ll keep you updated at every stage, explain any delays, and work efficiently to secure the compensation you deserve.
We specialise exclusively in medical negligence claims, giving us unmatched expertise in A&E cases. Our team combines legal expertise with genuine compassion—we’ve supported many patients like you and understand how deeply negligence can affect lives. From your first call, you’ll have a dedicated solicitor who treats your case with urgency and care. We’ll fight to secure not just compensation but also accountability, helping you move forward with dignity. You’ve already endured enough; let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.
Start your claim
Fill in your details below and one of our team will be in touch shortly for a free, confidential conversation. No pressure, just honest, expert advice.