Don’t be fooled by the television adverts. Medical negligence no win no fee claims are one of the most complicated areas of personal injury litigation and are not something to be entered into lightly. Many voices within the NHS claim that fewer patients are feeling pushed into making medical negligence no win no fee claims thanks to increased openness between doctors and patients. Nevertheless, the recent scandal concerning the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust has left many patient groups feeling that doctors tend to close ranks and are defensive. Say patient groups, this closing ranks puts many patients in a position where only medical negligence no win no fee claims can give them the explanations they need.

In fact, medical errors almost certainly happen more than we realise, with patients suffering little or no harm as a result on most occasions. But there are of course occasions where human error causes harm to patients. Before patients begin litigation via a medical negligence no win no fee lawyer, it can be helpful to make a formal complaint. Whilst this won’t win them any compensation, it can provide them with an explanation. For some, the answers they receive will be enough for them and for others this will be the basis for making a claim.

Unfortunately, it is not as simple as saying there has been negligence and that it has caused harm. The process of litigation involves the medical negligence no win no fee solicitor obtaining doctor and hospital records and having them reviewed and critiqued by an independent medical expert. It is not enough just to show that there was negligence. It must also be shown that the negligence was the direct cause of the harm and that had there been no negligence there would have been no harm.

Patients and relatives should thing very carefully before beginning medical negligence no win no fee claims. Of course, human error will always happen to some degree and mistakes do need to be addressed, but quality legal advice is vital.