Surgery Negligence Claims
Surgery is supposed to make things better. When something goes wrong, leaving you in more pain, needing further operations, or struggling to return to normal, you deserve straight answers. Our teams in Manchester, Sale and Chester help people pursue surgery negligence claims every day.
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Alternatively, talk to one of our team members on 0330 111 3131 or via our online enquiry form.
What is a surgery negligence claim?
A surgery negligence claim is a legal claim made when a surgical procedure has caused harm due to a failure in the standard of care expected of a medical professional. To succeed, it must be shown that the surgeon, hospital or healthcare provider breached their duty of care, and that this breach directly caused injury or worsened your condition. Both NHS and private patients have the right to claim.
How we can help with your surgery claims
General surgical errors
A surgical error claim arises when a mistake during an operation causes avoidable harm. We help clients pursue compensation where surgeons have operated on the wrong site, caused unintended damage to surrounding tissue, or failed to address a complication in time.
Retained surgical instruments
Retained instrument claims arise when a surgical swab, needle or instrument is left inside a patient after an operation. This is a recognised form of negligence and can cause serious internal harm, infection and the need for further surgery to correct.
Anaesthesia negligence
Anaesthesia negligence occurs when errors in the administration or monitoring of anaesthetic cause avoidable harm. This includes incorrect dosage, failure to account for a patient’s medical history, or inadequate monitoring, with consequences ranging from awareness during surgery to organ damage.
Consent failures
A consent failure claim arises when a patient is not properly informed of the material risks of a procedure before agreeing to it. Where a patient suffers a harm they were not warned about, they may have a valid claim regardless of whether the surgery itself was technically correct.
Eye and laser eye surgery claims
Eye surgery negligence occurs when a procedure, including laser eye surgery, cataract surgery or corrective treatment, causes vision loss or permanent damage due to poor technique or inadequate aftercare.
Orthopaedic surgery claims
Orthopaedic surgery negligence involves errors during joint replacements, spinal surgery or fracture repairs that cause chronic pain, reduced mobility or the need for revision surgery.
Gastric band and bariatric surgery claims
Bariatric surgery negligence claims arise when weight-loss procedures cause serious complications through surgical error or poor post-operative management.
Cosmetic surgery negligence
Cosmetic surgery negligence covers procedures that result in avoidable harm through poor technique, inadequate aftercare or failure to obtain informed consent.
How surgery compensation claims work
- Free initial assessment
Tell us what happened and we’ll give you an honest view of whether you have a viable claim.
- Gathering your medical records
We obtain your full surgical and treatment history. This stage is more important than many people realise; thorough medical evidence is what distinguishes strong claims from weak ones, and we don’t rush it.
- Independent medical review
A specialist medical expert assesses whether the care you received fell below the accepted standard. This typically takes 6–12 weeks depending on the complexity of your case.
- Letter of claim
We put the negligent party on notice formally. They have four months to respond under the Pre-Action Protocol for Clinical Negligence.
- Settlement or court proceedings
Most surgery negligence claims settle without going to court. If they don’t, we’ll represent you every step of the way.
Why choose Slater Heelis as your surgery claim lawyer
Recognised excellence you can trust
We’re listed in The Times Best Law Firms for 2026, and The Legal 500 recognises us as one of the leading firms in the North West. Alex Barley, Partner in the Personal Injury team was shortlisted in the Manchester Legal Awards for Partner of the Year 2026 and is ranked Up and Coming in Chambers and Partners. Our medical negligence solicitors are consistently praised for their expertise and the care they show clients during some of the most difficult times imaginable. With over 1,800 reviews and an average rating of 4.9/5 on ReviewSolicitors, our clients trust us enough to recommend us to others in the same position.
No win, no fee: no financial risk
We handle surgery negligence claims on a no win, no fee basis (also known as a conditional fee agreement), meaning no upfront costs and no financial risk to you. We only get paid if your claim succeeds. You’ll deal directly with our team from day one, not a claims company that takes a cut and hands your case to someone else.
We know what the medical evidence needs to show
Getting the right outcome in a surgery negligence claim depends heavily on the strength of the medical evidence behind it. Our solicitors know which experts to instruct, how defendant insurers will challenge the evidence, and what it takes to build a case that holds up. Having represented clients against NHS trusts and private providers across Manchester, Sale and Chester, we know this territory well.
When surgery causes harm rather than healing, the impact can be life-changing and knowing where to turn isn’t always straightforward. If you’re looking for an experienced surgery negligence solicitor in Manchester, Sale or Chester, our team is ready to help.
Call us on 0330 111 3131 or get in touch through our online enquiry form. We handle all surgery negligence claims on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no financial risk to you.
We’re based in Manchester, Sale and Chester with offices open for face-to-face meetings, and we regularly work with clients across the UK. We’ll handle the legal side so you can focus on your health and recovery.
Speak to our medical negligence solicitors
