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Accident & Emergency Negligence Solicitors

Professional legal advice for Accident & Emergency compensation

By its very nature, the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department in many hospitals is very busy and much of its work is urgent. Patients' lives are often lost despite the very best efforts of medical staff, so compensation claims are rare. However, if you feel that you have suffered as a result of A&E treatment, we can help you determine whether or not you have a valid claim.

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Call Us: 0800 138 0458

AWasasWhat is Accident & Emergency Negligence?

Medical negligence is rare in A&E departments, but mistakes can happen. They usually relate to tests and examinations not being thorough enough, or medical staff failing to follow up properly after an examination, for example:

  • Not completing a thorough examination
  • Not recording a thorough history of the patient’s injury or condition,
  • Not making sure that x-rays or an appropriate scan is completed
  • Not referring the patient to an appropriate specialist

This failure to meet standards can cause your condition to deteriorate or even cause new injury.

You may be sent home whilst your condition remains untreated. If your case appears to follow this kind of pattern and any of the examples above, you may be entitled to make a claim.

Some specific examples of negligence that have occurred in Accident & Emergency departments in the past include:

  • Missed wrist fractures due to lack of follow-up x-ray, which untreated could lead to bone death or osteoarthritis
  • Undetected nerve damage in hands or wrists due to incorrect examination techniques
  • Missed cervical spine fractures or dislocation due to an incorrectly carried out x-ray. Untreated, this could result in paralysis
  • Undetected glass or other foreign objects in the body due to lack of follow-up x-rays when one or more foreign objects have been removed
  • Undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy (where a fertilised egg develops outside the womb – usually in the fallopian tube). Untreated, this condition results in death
  • Eye injuries made worse by incorrect management in the A&E department, or failure to refer the patient to an ophthalmologist
  • Delays in diagnosing head or brain injuries, due to attention being focused on another more obvious injury

Why does this happen?

A&E Negligence tends to occur due to the pressure on the NHS and the high bed occupancy rates. The full overnight beds and the lack of staff can make it difficult for professionals to meet targets and timescales. A&E departments are under stress and this can result in errors being made.

When can I make a Medical Negligence claim?

In most cases, claims need to be made within three years from when you either suffered negligent care, or three years from when you first officially discovered your injury. However, this time restriction can vary depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, when making a claim for a child, the three year time restriction begins after the child turn 18 years old. Likewise, someone who lacks mental capacity and cannot make a claim on their own may also be exempt from the restriction.

What compensation will I receive?

Your settlement will depend upon your specific case and what damages have been caused by negligent treatment. The settlement can help to cover any ongoing treatment or care that you may require, or any adjustments that you may need in your day-to-day life because of what has happened. It can also recoup income that you may have lost due to taking time off work. Your Accident & Emergency experience may have been extremely traumatic and hard to cope with, especially if it involves a loss of life. A settlement can also help you to pay for therapy to help you deal with what has happened.

Our Medical Negligence Specialists


Suzanne Munroe

Director & Solicitor

Sarah Tipton Walker, Medical Negligence Solicitor and Director

Sarah Tipton Walker

Director & Solicitor

Charlotte Reeves, Medical Negligence & Inquest Solicitor

Charlotte Reeves

Director & Solicitor


Kay Barnes

Director & Solicitor


David Thomas

Director


Carmel Walsh

Director & Solicitor


Lisa Swales

Director & Solicitor


Richard Starkie

Director & Solicitor


Robyn Hawxby

Director & Solicitor

Georgina Peckett, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Switalskis

Georgina Peckett

Senior Associate Solicitor


Christopher Noble

Senior Associate

Sadie Simpson, Medical Negligence & Inquest Solicitor

Sadie Simpson

Solicitor

Helena Tindall, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Huddersfield

Helena Tindall

Solicitor


Laura Simpson

Solicitor

Kate Gelder, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Doncaster

Kate Gelder

Associate Solicitor

Delyth Ann Jones, Medical Neglicence Solicitor, Huddersfield

Delyth Ann Jones

Consultant Solicitor


Christine Griffiths

Associate Solicitor

Linda Smith, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Sheffield

Linda Smith

Associate Solicitor

Belinda Norcliffe, Medical Negligence Solicitor

Belinda Norcliffe

Solicitor

Lisa Mann, Medical Negligence Solicitor

Lisa Mann

Solicitor

Jim Gladman, Medical Negligence & Inquest Solicitor

Jim Gladman

Solicitor

Burhan Akhtar, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Huddersfield

Burhan Akhtar

Solicitor

Heather Kolar, Medical Negligence Solicitor, Huddersfield

Heather Kolar

Solicitor

Sian Morris, Medical Negligence Lawyer, Huddersfield - Switalskis

Sian Stevens

Chartered Legal Executive

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Fay Marshall

Solicitor


Tamlin Bolton

Senior Associate Solicitor

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Emma Hudson

Solicitor


Lauren Muir

Solicitor


Julie Dudson

Senior Solicitor


Jack Fox

Solicitor


Heather Smith

Associate Solicitor


Ellie McGuinness

Trainee Solicitor


Rebecca Coupland

Solicitor

Lisa Simpson, Medical Negligence Lawyer, Huddersfield - Switalskis

Lisa Simpson

Paralegal


Jenny Di Sora

Associate Solicitor


Laura Cates

Associate Solicitor


Stephanie Turner

Associate Solicitor


Hannah Cazaly

Solicitor


Jonathan Gray

Solicitor & Professional Support Lawyer


Paisley Laws

Solicitor


June Plowman

Litigation Executive


Sheila Marsh

Nurse - Clinical Advisor


Casey Stillman

Litigation Executive


Eleanor Fieldsend

Solicitor


Becky Whitfield

Associate Costs Lawyer


Joanne King

Associate Solicitor


Julie Tansey

Associate Solicitor


Laura Farrell

Associate Solicitor


Laura Armstrong

Associate Solicitor


Rochelle Lambert

Associate Solicitor


Clare Middleton

Associate Solicitor


Emily Bateson

Solicitor


Oliver Head

Solicitor

How are Accident & Emergency claims funded?

There are various options of funding for claims. Many of our cases are funded using Conditional Fee Agreements, also called a ‘No Win No Fee’ medical negligence claim. In a Conditional Fee Agreement, you will only pay for our solicitors’ work if we win the case for you. In limited cases we can offer legal aid. Our solicitors can review and discuss with you what options of funding are available to you and the best route to take.

How can Switalskis help me?

Our solicitors have helped many people claim compensation after being affected by mistakes made in hospital Emergency Departments. As medical negligence solicitors, our role is to examine the medical records, working closely with experienced medical experts to establish what happened in your case, and whether the care you were given in Accident and Emergency was negligent. Once we have established there was negligence, we work hard to ensure the appropriate level of compensation is awarded, which will improve your quality life both health-wise and financially.

Our team includes solicitors who are accredited as specialists by both The Law Society and the patients’ charity, Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA). We are also recognised as being among the top Clinical Negligence teams in England by the Legal 500 UK, the foremost legal guide for clients.

Call us on 0800 138 0458 or contact us through the website to talk to a medical negligence solicitor about your circumstances.

What our clients say

"We really appreciate all your efforts and the positive outcome so far of your research and professionalism. You have picked up the baton at the eleventh hour when we were at our lowest point and abandoned by everyone else – thank you so much."

'GM' - Clinical Negligence Client

"I felt comfortable with Ruth and I trusted her. Ruth kept me up-to-date with every detail. I would strongly recommend Switalskis, and Ruth in particular."

'PL' - Clinical Negligence Client

"I would like to thank Jim Gladman and the Switalskis’ team for everything they did for me. A job well done."

'NM' - Medical Negligence Client

"Stephanie Kennedy was brilliant from start to finish."

Clinical Negligence Client

"I was extremely satisfied with how [Claire Garrity] dealt with my case. It was difficult for me and Claire guided me through with consummate skill."

'SH' - Clinical Negligence Client

"This was the first time I’ve had to use a Solicitor, I found [Samantha Spain] very professional and helpful. The experience was much easier and more pleasant than I had feared."

'TM' - Clinical Negligence Client