Accident & emergency (A&E) compensation claims

What is A&E negligence?

Accident and emergency departments provide a critical service for patients who need the most urgent care. A&E departments are fast-paced, high-pressure environments that work hard to treat patients effectively and efficiently.

However, things can - and do - go wrong. A&E negligence usually happens during diagnosis or treatment. Whilst the medical professional who treats you in A&E will always aim to treat you effectively and diagnose your symptoms accurately, mistakes do happen.

If you've experienced illness or injury that was caused by the action (or lack of action) of the medical professional who treated you, this is A&E negligence.

If you've suffered A&E negligence, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim. No matter what injury or illness you've experienced, we may be able to help you make an A&E negligence claim.

You can get in touch with us on . Or, if you prefer, request a callback at a time that suits you. Our expert advisors can help you to understand whether you're eligible to make a compensation claim and answer any questions you might have.

Types of A&E negligence

Misdiagnosis

In some circumstances, an A&E medical professional may misdiagnose you.

Common reasons for misdiagnosis at an accident and emergency department can include:

• Errors that occur when examining a patient, such as recording their symptoms incorrectly.
• Not completing appropriate medical investigations, such as scans and x-rays.
• Misunderstanding the patient's medical history.
• Incorrectly reading medical investigation results.
• Failing to admit patients to A&E.

Treatment error

An error in administering treatment can leave you in pain and suffering for longer than necessary. Common treatment errors at A&E include:

• Avoidably delaying an operation.
• Administering the incorrect treatment.
• Surgical negligence
• Giving inadequate aftercare.
• Neglecting or failing to record when a patient has deteriorated.

This list isn't exhaustive, it just represents some common causes that result in A&E negligence claims. If you don't see your circumstances above, don't worry - we can still help you. We've got over 31 years of experience helping people make successful accident and emergency claims - each with its own unique set of circumstances.

Contact our team on   for more information or fill in our secure online form to request a callback from one of our advisors.

Common injuries and illnesses caused by A&E negligence

Misdiagnosis and treatment errors can cause illness or injury. In a high pressure environment like an accident and emergency department, there are some injuries and illnesses that are more common than others.

Some common illnesses and injuries that lead to successful accident and emergency negligence claims include:

• Fractures
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms.
• Meningitis.
• Torsion.
• Cauda equina syndrome

Accident and emergency negligence isn't limited to the conditions listed.. Any illness or injury that you have suffered due to negligence could make you eligible for A&E compensation.

Can I make a claim for A&E negligence compensation

If you've experienced A&E negligence, then you may be eligible to make a claim. However, this is subject to a time limit.

As an adult, you can make a claim within three years of the incident that caused your injury, or from the date that you became aware of the negligence. The claim will need to be settled, or for court proceedings to start, within the three years - so the sooner you start the process, the better.

However, there are a couple of exceptions to the three-year rule:

• Where the person injured by the A&E negligence does not have the capacity to make a claim (perhaps because their injury or illness was so severe), then there is no time limit to make a compensation claim. If they regain capacity at any point after the accident, no matter how briefly, the standard three-year period will begin from that date, and doesn't stop, even if they lose capacity again.
• If the patient is under 18 at the time of the A&E negligence, a claim can be made at any time before they turn 18 by a ‘litigation friend', which is often a parent or guardian. However, if no claim is made before they turn 18, then the person can make a claim as an adult, until their 21^st birthday.

Due to the time limits on making accident and emergency claims, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible if you suffer accident and emergency negligence.

If you are unsure about how long you have left to claim, or if you have any queries about whether you're eligible to make an A&E negligence compensation claim, get in touch with our advisors on and we can talk it through with you.

Can I make a no win no fee claim?

Our panel of expert accident and emergency negligence solicitors usually work on a no win no fee basis. A no win no fee (or ‘conditional fee') agreement is a contract between you and your solicitor. It effectively means you've got no upfront costs and that you don't pay a penny if you don't win your claim.

If you lose, the specialist insurance our solicitors will help you to take out will cover your costs. If you win, any fees and costs will come from your A&E compensation payment. You'll be advised about this at the outset though, so there are no hidden costs.

If for any reason you're not eligible for a ‘no win no fee' agreement, your solicitor will tell you at the outset and explain your options to you. You'll always have the final decision about whether to proceed with your A&E compensation claim.

Why choose us for your A&E negligence claim?

We've got over years_since years of experience in this area and have helped more people get back on their feet than any other personal injury service. We are the UK's most trusted provider of advice, service and support when it comes to personal injury - earning us a coveted ‘Excellent' rating on Trustpilot.

We strongly believe that if you have suffered due to someone else's negligence, you should get the compensation you deserve to minimise any impact on your life. We guide you through the process every step of the way, and provide free, impartial advice on claiming accident and emergency compensation. We're committed to getting you the best possible support so you can make the best possible recovery.