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GP Negligence Claims

GP Negligence Claims

When you visit your GP, you trust them to provide the correct diagnosis and treatment. However, if they fail to do so, it can lead to significant physical, emotional, or financial challenges that disrupt your life.

If you've experienced GP negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a GP negligence claim.

At Lawhive, our network of experienced GP negligence solicitors is here to support you in seeking the compensation you deserve for the errors made by your GP.

While compensation cannot erase the past, it can help you move forward positively.

Contact our Legal Assessment Specialists today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your options.

• What is GP negligence?

• What is the standard of care expected of GPs?

• Examples of GP negligence

• How do I know if I have a valid claim for GP negligence?

• What damages can be claimed in a GP negligence case?

• How long do I have to file a claim for GP negligence?

• What evidence is needed to prove GP negligence?

• How to complain about your GP

• How much compensation can you claim for GP negligence?

What is GP negligence?

GP negligence occurs when a GP fails to meet the expected standards of care in their profession, resulting in harm to the patient.

This negligence can lead to physical or mental harm and can be considered a breach of the GP's duty of care.

What is the standard of care expected of GPs?

The standard of care expected of General Practitioners (GPs) is based on what a reasonable and competent GP would do in similar circumstances. This standard is defined by guidelines set by professional medical bodies, such as the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK.

Essentially, GPs are expected to provide care that aligns with accepted medical practices, considering factors like the patient's medical history, symptoms, and current medical knowledge. This includes accurately diagnosing conditions, providing appropriate treatment, and ensuring patient safety.

Failure to meet this standard of care, resulting in harm or injury to the patient, can be considered negligence.

Examples of GP negligence

A GP is considered negligent when they don't meet the standard of care expected in their profession for a patient.

This standard is determined by what a reasonable and competent GP would have done in the same situation.

Some common examples of GP negligence include:

• When test results are concerning but the GP doesn't refer the patient for more tests, treatment, or suitable medication.

• Delays in providing treatment.

• Not noticing symptoms, fully listening to the patient, or lacking expertise.

• Not arranging tests that could have caught a problem, leading to the condition getting worse.

• Lack of expertise but failing to refer or delaying further tests, causing the condition to worsen.

• Failing to diagnose or misdiagnosing a condition, preventing the patient from getting the right treatment.

Common misdiagnoses which can cause serious harm include:

• Cancer

• Diabetes

• Meningitis

• Heart conditions

• Broken bones

• Head injuries

• Appendicitis

• Sepsis

How do I know if I have a valid claim for GP negligence?

To make a compensation claim for injuries or mental health conditions caused by your GP's error, you need evidence linking the harm directly to their mistake. Our network of medical negligence solicitors can assist you in assessing if you have a valid claim. They'll examine your evidence thoroughly and guide you on the most suitable course of action.

What damages can be claimed in a GP negligence case?

Compensation for GP negligence claims can include general damages for injuries and physiological issues, as well as special damages for financial losses such as medical expenses and lost income.

Our solicitors can help you calculate these damages based on your specific circumstances.

How long do I have to file a claim for GP negligence? 

You typically have three years from when you believe your injury, illness, or loss was caused by your GP to make a claim. This can start from when the negligence happened or when you first noticed symptoms, known as when you could have 'reasonably' known about it.

However, different conditions may have different timelines, so there can be exceptions to the three-year rule. If you're uncertain about when you could have reasonably known about the negligence and the three-year deadline has passed, please reach out to us for guidance.

What evidence is needed to prove GP negligence?

To improve your likelihood of winning a GP negligence claim, you need to demonstrate that the GP failed in their duty of care, resulting in pain and suffering for you.

You can use various types of evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, witness statements, opinions from independent medical experts, photographs, and personal statements. This evidence helps illustrate the pain and suffering you experienced due to the GP's negligence.

How to complain about your GP

If you want to complain about your GP, you should first contact the practice manager at your surgery. They are responsible for handling complaints and will guide you through the process. Usually, you will be asked to put your concerns in writing.

If you're unsatisfied with the practice manager's response, you can escalate your complaint through the NHS complaints procedure. You may also consider complaining to the General Medical Council, the regulatory body responsible for GPs.

While both of the above actions can help bring the GP's negligence to light, if you believe you've been a victim of negligence and want to claim compensation for your losses, you should speak to a medical negligence lawyer who will assess your situation and provide guidance on the best course of action.

Many individuals feel hesitant about complaining or pursuing a claim for GP negligence. However, it's important to hold doctors accountable for negligence to prevent other patients from experiencing substandard care.

How much compensation can you claim for GP negligence?

The compensation you receive for GP negligence can vary greatly depending on the severity of your injury or loss. In the most serious cases, payouts have reached hundreds of thousands of pounds, and in rare instances, even higher. However, for the majority of cases, compensation payouts for GP negligence tend to be in the four-figure range. The exact amount will depend on factors such as the extent of your injury, financial losses incurred, and the impact on your life. During a case assessment with one of our expert medical negligence solicitors, you can discuss the specifics of your situation.

They will evaluate whether you have a valid claim and provide guidance on the compensation you could receive if your claim is successful.

Get expert help with GP negligence claims

If you've been affected by GP negligence, our network of expert solicitors stands ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a call with our Legal Assessment Specialists today to explore your options and start your claim.