Claiming medical negligence compensation within the statutory time-limit

For a person who has been through the trauma of medical negligence at the hands of a GP, surgery or hospital, there are a couple of routes available to expressing dissatisfaction.

Making a complaint through an official local NHS trust is one option. While this route might suffice for some people, it offers only very limited means of financial redress.

If receiving justice in the form of official recognition together with an award of medical negligence compensation is a patient's priority then using the services of personal injury solicitors to make a no win, no fee claim represents the best option.

One important thing to bear in mind when seeking medical negligence compensation is the limitation of actions period for making a claim.

Limitation of actions and medical negligence compensation
Generally speaking, the limitation period for making a claim for medical negligence compensation is three years. However, in some situations this three year period can be extended.

The three year limitation period for claiming medical negligence compensation begins either at the time from which the medical negligence occurs or, the time from which the claimant becomes aware of the grounds for which they might have a valid case for medical negligence compensation. Details of these grounds are laid out in the Limitation Act 1980.

There are special circumstances where the three year limitation period for claiming medical negligence compensation does not apply. Children who've suffered medical negligence fall within this exemption. For them, the three year limitation starts ticking from the time of their eighteenth birthday.

Exemption from the normal three year period also applies to people who are mentally incapacitated. For them, the three year limitation period for making a medical negligence compensation claim begins to take effect from the time they return to full mental function.

There are other, exceptional, circumstances where a court might allow an exemption from the three year limitation period for claiming medical negligence compensation. However, such circumstances are rare and entirely down to a court's discretion.

Claiming medical negligence compensation with YouClaim
Here at YouClaim we have extensive experience in dealing with medical negligence compensation claims and over the years we've skilfully and sensitively helped many people earn the justice they deserve.

Together with our panel of personal injury solicitors we share a thorough and ethical approach to medical negligence compensation claims. In fact, between us we have forged a possibly excellent success rate in dealing with this kind of claim.

If you feel that you may be entitled to claim medical negligence compensation, why not get in touch with us today.

You can investigate your claim with one of our skilled and friendly legal advisors in one of several easy ways:

Request a call back at a time convenient to you, fill out an online claims form, discuss your claim live on e-chat or, alternatively, call us now on 0800 10 757 95.