Everyone has the right to expect the highest standards of care from medical professionals because, when things go wrong, it can lead to serious harm. Medical negligence can involve everything from birth injuries and prescription errors to delayed diagnoses and infections acquired in healthcare settings. Any of these mistakes can have serious consequences, but some can lead to life-long conditions or disabilities that should have been avoided.
A clinical negligence claim can help to put things right, by making those responsible for your illness or injury own up to their mistakes, and paying you back for any pain, suffering and financial losses caused by the substandard care you received. At Switalskis, our experienced solicitors in Bradford excel in making medical negligence claims on behalf of clients across Yorkshire. We believe it is important that NHS hospitals and private hospitals alike are held responsible for medical errors that lead to serious harm.
We typically offer services on a no win, no fee basis, and we'll take on the bulk of the responsibility for your claim to give you the space to focus on your recovery and the other things that matter in your life. To learn more about how we can support you through the claims process, contact our medical negligence team in Bradford today. Call us on 0800 138 0458 to get started, or get in touch via the form on our site.
Give us a call today on 0800 138 0458, or contact us through the website to get the ball rolling on your personal injury claim at a time that is suitable for you.
Our medical negligence solicitors in Bradford are easy to reach via bus routes throughout the city. We're based on Bolton Road, a few minutes' walk from the Forster Square train station and Bradford Cathedral.
Our office is on Bolton Road just a short walk from Bradford Cathedral, and a five minute journey from Forster Square train station and close to all nearby bus routes.
At Switalskis, our specialist medical negligence solicitors in Bradford provide expert legal representation to clients throughout Yorkshire and beyond. With decades of experience, we handle a wide range of medical negligence claims, including complex cases involving major local healthcare providers such as:
We act on all types of medical negligence claims, regardless of where the care took place. If you can’t get to our office in Bradford, we can arrange to meet you at a location that’s more convenient. We can also handle your case remotely via phone, video calls and email.
To claim compensation for medical negligence, we'll need to prove that you received substandard medical care, and that it caused harm that should otherwise have been avoided. The claims process is different in every medical negligence case, as it depends on the specifics of the treatment you received and the harm you suffered. However, there are a few important steps that every claim must pass through to deliver the compensation you deserve.
The process starts with a free initial consultation with our specialist solicitors. We'll discuss what happened to you to determine whether negligence occurred and advise you of whether or not you have a valid claim. We approach these conversations with sensitivity and we'll make sure to advise you of all your options at this stage. If you decide to move forward, we'll get started on the paperwork straight away.
Our solicitors will start to gather evidence that supports your claim. For clinical negligence cases, this often includes having your medical records reviewed by an independent medical practitioner, who can offer an expert opinion about the quality of your care. This helps us to prove the harm you suffered and connect it to the substandard care or medical treatment you received. We may seek witness testimonies from friends, family members and medical professionals who can shed light on the case, and photographs of any injuries, either immediately after they occurred or taken during your recovery. If you wish to claim compensation for financial losses, we'll also need evidence like receipts, payslips and invoices.
When we've gathered the necessary medical records and built the strongest possible case, we'll send a letter of claim to the defendant. This may be an NHS Trust, a private clinic, an individual medical or healthcare professional or an insurance company. The letter outlines your intention to claim compensation, how much we believe you're owed, and the evidence we have to support the claim. The defendant will then have a few months in which to investigate the claim and decide whether to accept or deny their liability for the harm you suffered.
In most medical negligence claims, the defendant will admit their liability at this stage and we'll proceed directly to negotiations over the amount of compensation you're owed. Our solicitors will work tirelessly to make sure you receive the maximum possible compensation based on the harm you suffered and your needs moving forwards, but we'll also try to resolve your claim as quickly as possible so you can move on with your life.
If the other party denies their liability, or won't offer fair compensation for your injuries, we'll take the matter to court. While we prepare for the court date, our skilled team will continue to negotiate with the other party if possible to bring the process to an earlier resolution. Your solicitor will represent you during any court hearings and offer up the evidence we've collected to a judge, who will then decide how to resolve your claim.
At the end of a successful claims process, you'll receive a lump sum that will either represent your full compensation amount, or the first in a series of payments, depending on the decision that has been made. If you claimed with Switalskis under a no win, no fee agreement, you'll pay the costs for your legal support as a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation. We may also be able to secure interim payments in some cases, which means that you'll receive a portion of your compensation to cover urgent medical or financial needs before the claims process is finished.
We know that the claims process can be daunting, but we're here to make it as smooth as possible.
Every claim is different, and the compensation you will receive depends on the nature of the negligence and harm you experienced. As such, there is no average or set compensation amount for medical or surgical negligence claims. Compensation is meant to cover the specific harm and financial losses that happened as a result of the negligent treatment you received, and your solicitor - and the court, in some cases - must take into account the unique aspects of the situation to arrive at a fair compensation amount.
Damages for medical negligence claims are broken down into two components. General damages are for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the treatment you received. These are based on guidelines by the Judicial College which establish minimum and maximum compensation amounts for different types of injuries. More severe injuries which require longer recovery times, or negligence that led to emotional distress alongside physical harm, will typically result in more compensation.
The other component is special damages, which account for any financial losses caused by substandard medical care and are calculated based on receipts or other evidence you can provide. There are a few types of expenses that can be claimed back in this way, including:
When you claim on a no win, no fee basis, you'll pay legal fees as a percentage of the overall compensation you're awarded. This means that you can claim without any financial risk, as there are no legal fees to pay at all if your claim is unsuccessful.
Contact us today and let's start your journey towards recovery together. Call us today on 0800 1380 458, or get in touch via our form.
The experienced solicitors at Switalskis know what it's like to suffer because of surgical errors, receiving the wrong medication, mistakes or delays in diagnosis and other types of negligence. Our dedicated team of medical negligence experts is used to offering professional advice and legal representation to people in similar situations to yours. We strive to make the process as straightforward and simple as possible so you can focus on your recovery. Switalskis promises to deliver the following:
The language involved in taking legal action can be complicated, especially when combined with the medical jargon used in talking about your care. Switalskis will break everything down into the simplest terms to make sure you understand how your claim is progressing and what we need from you to succeed.
We know that the after effects of clinical negligence can be tough to deal with, and the idea of making a claim while dealing with recovery from an injury can seem daunting. Our solicitors are experts in handling medical negligence claims on behalf of clients and enabling them to focus on their recovery. We'll also offer any emotional support you need during the legal process.
Our solicitors have extensive experience in medical negligence claims and can advise you on the best legal strategy to achieve a fair outcome. We'll make sure your claim begins within the strict time limits that apply and fight for the compensation you deserve.
You have the right to compensation if a healthcare provider has let you down, and you may also be entitled to an apology or acknowledgement of the medical failures that caused you to suffer. Switalskis will stand by your side throughout the process and uphold your rights.
If you have been harmed by the negligence of medical professionals and want to take action to get your life back on track, Switalskis is here to help. Our medical negligence team has a strong track record of handling medical negligence claims successfully and delivering the compensation our clients are owed by NHS hospitals, private hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
To find out more about making a no win, no fee claim or start the legal process today, contact Switalskis. Call our medical negligence experts on 0800 138 0458 , or use the form on our website to get in touch.