Most people trust that when they seek medical help, they will receive the care they need.
But sometimes something doesn’t feel right.
You may have been told your symptoms weren’t serious, only to later discover they were. Or perhaps there was a delay in diagnosis, a mistake during treatment, or your concerns were not fully listened to.
If you are left wondering whether something went wrong with your care, you are not alone—and it may be worth exploring your options.
What is clinical negligence?
Clinical negligence occurs when the care you receive falls below an acceptable standard, and this causes you harm.
Not every disappointing outcome amounts to negligence. However, there are situations where treatment—or lack of treatment—should not have happened.
Common examples include:
- Delayed diagnosis of conditions such as cancer or sepsis
- Misdiagnosis leading to incorrect or unnecessary treatment
- Surgical errors or complications that could have been avoided
- Failure to refer to a specialist when needed
- Inadequate aftercare or premature discharge from hospital
If something about your experience feels unresolved or unclear, it is important to know that asking questions is entirely reasonable.
Signs that your care may have been negligent
Many clients we speak to initially feel unsure whether what happened to them “counts”.
Some of the concerns that often lead people to seek legal advice include:
- Being told different things by different healthcare professionals
- A significant delay before receiving the correct diagnosis
- Symptoms being repeatedly dismissed or overlooked
- A noticeable deterioration that could potentially have been avoided
- Feeling that your concerns were not taken seriously
You do not need to have all the answers before speaking to a solicitor. Part of our role is to help you understand whether there are grounds to investigate further.
What should have happened?
When assessing a potential claim, one of the key questions is:
Would appropriate care have led to a different outcome?
For example:
- Should tests or investigations have been carried out sooner?
- Would earlier treatment have improved the outcome?
- Were established medical guidelines followed?
These are complex questions, and independent medical experts are usually needed to provide answers. However, an initial discussion can often help clarify whether it is worth taking the next step.
What you can do if you have concerns
If you are worried about the care you or a loved one received, there are some practical steps you can consider:
- Seek clarification
You may wish to request an explanation from the healthcare provider involved.
- Request your medical records
These can provide important information about what happened and when.
- Make a note of your experience
Writing down what you remember—including timelines and conversations—can be very helpful.
- Seek legal advice
Speaking to a specialist clinical negligence solicitor can help you understand whether you may have a claim.
A common concern: “I don’t want to cause trouble”
It is not uncommon for people to hesitate before seeking legal advice.
You may feel reluctant to complain, particularly if the healthcare professionals involved were otherwise caring or supportive.
However, pursuing a claim is not about blame alone.
For many clients, it is about:
- Understanding what happened
- Gaining answers and closure
- Ensuring lessons are learned to help prevent similar situations
How we can help
We regularly support individuals and families who are trying to make sense of what has happened to them.
We understand that this can be a difficult and emotional time, and our approach is to provide clear, straightforward advice in a supportive and sensitive way.
Our role is to:
- Listen to your concerns
- Review the available information
- Advise you honestly about whether a claim may be possible
- Guide you through the process if you decide to proceed
Speaking to us
If any of the issues discussed in this article feel familiar, it may be helpful to speak to someone experienced in this area.
You do not need to be certain that negligence has occurred to get in touch.
An initial conversation can often provide clarity and reassurance about your next steps.
How we can help?
Carolle White is a Legal Director and Chartered Legal Executive in our expert Medical Negligence team, which is ranked in Tier One by the independently researched publication, The Legal 500, and Commended in The Times Best Law Firms 2025. Carolle specialises in high-value and complex medical negligence cases and inquests.
If you require any advice in relation to the subjects discussed in this article, please do not hesitate to contact Carolle or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form.
Contact usIf this article relates to a specific case/cases, please note that the facts of this case/cases are correct at the time of writing.