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What are hospital infections?

Hospital infections are infections that occur in hospitals. They are infections that a person specifically contracts whilst in hospital, meaning that they did not have the infection before entering the hospital. 

There are common types of hospital infections. These include:

  • MRSA
  • C.difficile

MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and commonly causes infections in wounds. It can also infect internal organs and is very dangerous for those with weakened immune systems such as babies, the elderly and those with other health conditions. The dangerous nature of MRSA which resists many antibiotics means it is often referred to as the ‘superbug'. 

C. difficile stands for Clostridium difficile and is a bacteria that can quickly spread between patients. This bacteria infects the bowel and can result in diarrhoea or severe bowel issues. 

Other common types of hospital infections include:

  • CPE
  • E.coli
  • hospital-acquired pneumonia
  • sepsis
  • urinary tract infections
  • cellulitis
  • staphylococcal infection
  • enterococcal infections
  • acinetobacter infections

Hospital infections such as MRSA happen due to a lack of good hygiene practices such as:

  • poor cleaning standards
  • not covering open wounds
  • not cleaning surfaces properly
  • failing to screen patients for infections
  • failing to clean wards adequately
  • giving incorrect medication to treat an infection
  • reusing medical equipment without sterilising it first
  • people in A and E bringing bacteria in with them
  • skin-to-skin contact

Hospital infections cause health problems which can be seen initially in the symptoms of an infection. These include:

  • shortness of breath
  • headaches
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea

Potential health risks from contracting a hospital infection include severe bowel problems and infected internal organs.


The hospital is often responsible for hospital-acquired infections. They have a duty of care towards you and this includes providing an adequate standard of hygiene throughout all that they do. If they are negligent towards this and as a result, you contract a hospital infection, they may be at fault, which could entitle you to compensation.


Steps can be taken to prevent hospital infections. Generally speaking, these are to carry out good hygienic practices. This includes ensuring:

  • correct handwashing by medical staff
  • tools are clean 
  • disposing of needles and other equipment correctly
  • ensuing good post-surgery check ups so any infection is diagnosed quickly

If your injections were due to medical negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for hospital-acquired infections. The hospital has a duty of care towards you to ensure safe and hygienic practices and environment. If their care was negligent and this caused you to get a hospital infection, you might be able to make a compensation claim.


Frequently asked questions...

Yes - if you've suffered from medical negligence while using the NHS in the last three years, then we may be able to help you make a compensation claim. Our medical negligence solicitors are experienced at handling medical negligence NHS claims and can take you through the process step by step, keeping things as simple and stress-free as possible. 

Contact us first to share your experience and we'll check your grounds to make a medical negligence compensation claim. If you want to proceed, we'll then connect you with one of our specialist solicitors.

Around 95% of our cases are settled without the need to go to court. This means there is a very small chance a claim will require a court hearing.

If your case does go to court, your solicitor will be on hand to support and guide you through the process and will make sure you always know what to expect.

Quite simply, yes. If you're thinking of making a claim on behalf of a friend or loved one, then it's likely we can help you.

To find out more information please visit our claiming on behalf of someone else page.

Every case we work with is different, which makes it hard for us to say how long your compensation claim might take.

In simpler cases, where fault is clear and undeniable the claim may be settled quickly. However, if you've suffered a serious or life-changing injury, then your compensation claim may take longer because we need to understand the full impact of your injury and make sure your costs are covered.

Our solicitors will stay in touch and keep you informed every step of the way, so that you always know what stage your claim is at.

In most circumstances for adults who were 18 years old or over at the time, it's essential that you (or your legal representation) issue proceedings within three years of the accident or incident. 

Where the injured person was under 18 years old when it occurred, that three-year limitation period expires on their 21st birthday. 

If you don't issue your claim within these time limits, you won't usually be able to proceed. This is called being 'time-barred'. There are some certain situations where the time limits can be extended. Check with one of our advisors or a solicitor.

Meet the team

John Kushnick

John Kushnick

Legal Operations Director of National Accident Law

With extensive personal injury legal and senior management experience, John oversees the optimisation of the customer journey - from the start of a claim through to final settlement.

If you contract a hospital infection in a private hospital, you may still be able to take legal action against the private hospital for this. You could do this if you get a medical infection due to their inadequate level of care by making a medical negligence claim against them.


When you make a medical negligence compensation claim for hospital infection, you will need evidence to support your claim.   For example, you may need the:

  • receipts relating to expenses resulting from the effects of the hospital infection
  • copies of your medical records
  • cctv footage
  • witness statements from patients and hospital staff 
  • payslips for loss of earnings
  • travel receipts

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When you make a compensation claim for MRSA or other hospital negligence, the amount of compensation you get can vary depending on numerous factors. Naturally, the more severe the effect of the hospital infection, the more compensation you will receive. This is because it is likely to have caused more physical pain and suffering and had a greater effect on your life, such as on your family.

However, to give you an idea of how much compensation you may be able to claim, in some instances, a minor infection can range from £750-£3100 and a very serious hospital infection causing long-term symptoms such as bowel problems can be as much as 29,000 to £40,000.


If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from a hospital infection, you could make a compensation claim as a result of medical negligence. With National Accident Helpline, you can claim on a no win no no fee basis.

A no-win-no-fee medical negligence compensation claim takes away the risk of a compensation claim. In the unlikely event that your hospital infection was not due to medical negligence, you have lost nothing. When you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs and expenses including medical report fees, court fees and any barrister fees; so long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises.


To start a hospital-acquired infection compensation claim with National Accident Helpline is really simple. We like to ensure that after the horrible experience you have had with a hospital infection that forms now onwards things are completely stress-free for you.  So, call us today on . If it is easier, then start the process online here.  

We also understand you may be initially curious about how much compensation we at National Accident Helpline can help you claim. That's why we provide a  compensation calculator here to give you an idea. 

To start your medical negligence compensation claim, all you have to do is chat with one of our helpful advisors. Our advisors receive special training and sympathise with the effects medical negligence has on an individual like you. After listening attentively to your situation, they pass your case to our expert medical negligence solicitors to fully complete your claim.  

If you suffered a hospital infection as a result of medical negligence, you may be due compensation. Call National Accident helpline today on or you can request a call back here. If it is more convenient, you can begin your claim online and start making your compensation claim today!  


Why choose National Accident Helpline's hospital infection claim solicitors? 

You should choose us to help you make your hospital infection compensation claim because we understand the importance of you getting the compensation you deserve when those supposed to be caring for you are negligent. We understand that medical negligence has a massive effect on people like you, so we want you to get the compensation you truly deserve

We are proud to work with the best medical negligence solicitors to ensure we get you the maximum compensation due as seamlessly as possible.

Let National Accident Helpline help you today by giving us a call at If it is more convenient,  you can request a call back here or begin your claim online here


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