Doctor negligence claims

Every year, millions of people put their trust in doctors to help them when they’re feeling unwell. Most UK doctors provide excellent care to their patients, but mistakes can and do happen, and sometimes those mistakes have serious consequences.

If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered an injury or detriment because of a doctor’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a GP negligence claim.

Why should I choose Thompsons to make a GP negligence claim?

For decades, Thompsons Solicitors has supported people through the process of making a doctor negligence claim. We have secured millions of pounds in compensation for people who have suffered because of a misdiagnosis, prescription error or incorrect treatment.

When choosing Thompsons Solicitors to start your doctor negligence claim, you can be assured that our medical negligence lawyers will go above and beyond to establish the facts of your claim and secure the maximum amount of compensation. At the same time, we’ll ensure that you and your family have access to expert rehabilitation and support services.

Frequently asked questions about GP negligence claims

1. What is GP/doctor negligence?

If a doctor breaches their duty of care, which then leads to the avoidable suffering and harm of a patient, this is referred to as ‘doctor negligence’ or ‘GP negligence’. It is also a form of medical negligence.

2. Can I sue my doctor?

Yes. You can make a doctor negligence claim with Thompsons Solicitors if it can be established that your doctor’s negligence was responsible for causing your injury and suffering, or has made a pre-existing condition worse.

3. I have private healthcare and I'm not happy with the treatment I have received. Can I still make a claim against my doctor?

Yes. You can make a GP negligence claim against GPs who work for the NHS and private healthcare providers, as long as it can be proved that their negligence caused your injury, suffering and/or exacerbated pre-existing conditions.

4. What types of injuries can I make a GP negligence claim for?

You can make a doctor negligence claim for injuries and suffering caused by a number of things, including:

Prescription errors: You may be able to make a GP negligence claim if your GP gave you the wrong medication with serious and even fatal consequences. You can also make a claim if you are on medicine for too long, receive an incorrect dosage, are allergic to the medicine or have received a combination of medicines that should not be used together.

Birth injuries: A GP negligence claim can be started if a doctor fails to diagnose serious conditions, such as preeclampsia and maternal or gestational diabetes.

Misdiagnosis: You may be able to make a doctor negligence claim for misdiagnosis against the GP or doctor who made the mistake and subsequently was responsible for giving the wrong treatment.

5. Is there a time limit on starting a GP negligence claim?

Yes. You have three years from the date you could have reasonably believed your injury or illness was caused by a doctor’s negligence to begin a claim. This means that if you have received care that has been linked to doctor malpractice in the last three years, you can still make a doctor negligence claim for compensation.

There are few exceptions to this rule, so get in touch with our medical negligence solicitors today to ensure you can start your claim in time.

6. Why should I choose Thompsons Solicitors to make a claim?

For almost 100 years, Thompsons Solicitors has acted for patients who have suffered injury or illness due to doctor malpractice, in both private healthcare settings and in the NHS. We have secured significant sums of doctor negligence compensation for hundreds of thousands of people.

Thompsons Solicitors is committed to fighting for the rights of injured people. We believe profits should never be prioritised over patient safety. This is why we are campaigning to guarantee that every patient, whether they are treated privately or by the NHS, will have the same opportunity for legal redress if they suffer an injury at the hands of a doctor. We believe private healthcare firms must be held to the same standards of accountability and safety as the NHS.

7. How can I fund my GP negligence claim?

The majority of the cases we run are ‘no win, no fee’ claims, otherwise known as a conditional fee agreement. This type of funding means you will not be charged if your doctor negligence claim is unsuccessful.

If your case is successful, the majority of the legal costs are paid by the negligent doctor’s insurer. It will cost 20 per cent for the success fee together with a very competitive insurance premium. This is less than the 25 per cent charged by other law firms.

Trade union members are entitled to a free initial consultation with Thompsons Solicitors, and special terms are then offered to members who choose to make a claim. Learn more about your union’s legal scheme and the options available to you on our fees and payment page.

8. How long does a GP negligence claim typically take to settle?

Doctor negligence claims can be complex and, depending on the severity of your injury, may take months or even years to settle. However, we have the skills and expertise to bring GP negligence claims to a successful conclusion as swiftly as possible.

9. How do I begin a GP negligence claim with Thompsons Solicitors?

If you think that you or a loved one has been injured due to doctor negligence, call us on 0800 0 224 224 for a free consultation. Alternatively, you can fill out our simple online claim form, and we will get back in touch with you within 24 hours to discuss your doctor negligence claim in more detail.