Medical negligence by the NHS can have life-altering consequences—and if you or a loved one have experienced it, you’re not alone. The NHS has set aside over £60 billion to settle medical negligence claims, highlighting just how widespread the issue is across the UK healthcare system according to the NHS Resolution Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25.

What Is Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare provider fails in their duty of care, leading to injury, harm, or worsening of a patient’s condition. It can happen in hospitals, GP surgeries, dental clinics, care homes, and more. Medical negligence can include a misdiagnosis, surgical error, incorrect treatment, wrong advice, delayed treatment or a lack of informed consent.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover

Victims of medical negligence caused by the NHS may be entitled to recover both general damages and special damages when pursuing a NHS compensation claim.

General Damages:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of amenity (reduced quality of life)
• Psychological trauma

Special Damages:

• Loss of earnings (past and future)
• Cost of ongoing care or assistance
• Private treatment and corrective surgery
• Rehabilitation and care costs
• Travel expenses to and from appointments
• Costs of home adaptations or mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, stairlifts)
• Loss of pension contributions
• Cost of retraining or career change if unable to return to previous work
• Other out of pocket expenses

These damages aim to cover both the immediate and long-term consequences of medical negligence, ensuring that the injured party receives support for a drastically changed lifestyle.

Unsure if you can make a NHS Negligence claim? You can now find out in minutes now

If you or a loved one has been affected by poor medical care, either recently or in the past, FreeClaimCheck.co.uk — an AI-powered website that connects to medical negligence solicitors and independent medical experts — can help you check your eligibility to make an NHS negligence claim in just minutes, any time of day or night. It is free to check a NHS claim and there is no obligation for you to make a claim.

→ Check Your Claim In Minutes >

Common Examples of NHS Medical Negligence

Negligence can take many forms across different healthcare services. Here are some real-world scenarios where patients may be entitled to compensation:

A&E (Accident and Emergency)

• Delayed treatment for strokes, heart attacks, cauda equina, or sepsis
• Misdiagnosed fractures or serious injuries
• Failure to identify life-threatening conditions

Maternity and Birth Injuries

• Poor monitoring during labour and delivery
• Missed diagnosis of conditions like preeclampsia or infections
• Birth injuries, including cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy

Surgical Errors

• Wrong-site surgery
• Instruments left inside the body
• Post-operative infections due to poor care

Cancer Treatment

• Delays in cancer diagnosis or referral
• Misdiagnosis leading to late-stage detection
• Inadequate or incorrect treatment plans

Cardiology and Stroke Services

• Failure to diagnose or treat heart-related emergencies
• Mismanagement of chronic conditions like high blood pressure
• Poor follow-up care after cardiac events

Dental Negligence

• Extraction of the wrong tooth
• Missed diagnoses of oral infections or cancers
• Nerve damage from incorrect procedures

Care Homes

• Pressure sores from lack of movement or care
• Malnutrition or dehydration due to neglect
• Incorrect medication or monitoring

Children’s Healthcare

• Missed developmental or health issues
• Late diagnosis of conditions like meningitis
• Failure to act on safeguarding concerns

GP and Family Practice

• Delayed or incorrect prescriptions
• Missed or late referrals for specialist care
• Misdiagnosis of serious conditions

Lack of Informed Consent

• Failure to properly explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed treatment or procedure
• Performing a procedure without the patient’s full understanding or agreement
• Not obtaining valid consent from patients who lack capacity, or failing to involve family members or legal guardians where required

Don’t Miss Out—Check Your Eligibility Today

With over £60 billion set aside for NHS negligence claims, now is the time to act. If you or someone you love has suffered due to poor medical treatment, you may be entitled to compensation—and FreeClaimCheck.co.uk is here to help you get started.

→ Check Your Claim In Minutes >

Unsure if you can make a NHS negligence claim?

If so, watch the 60-second video below to learn more.