Medical Negligence Solicitors in Manchester

With more than 100 years of history to our name here at Slater Heelis, we have over a century of experience to draw upon when dealing with complex medical negligence claims. We’ll listen carefully to the details of your case, and use this conversation as a basis to explore your legal position, and support you every step of the way. Everything we do is focused on progressing your case efficiently, so you can focus on rebuilding your life.

What is medical negligence?

Sometimes referred to as clinical negligence, medical negligence is the term used to describe the situation in which the care you receive from a medical professional falls below the standard that would reasonably be expected, and you suffer harm as a result. Crucially, it’s not the same as treatment that simply doesn’t work, or complications that arise despite best efforts. To amount to negligence, the care has to have been avoidably poor, and that substandard care must have caused you injury or made your condition worse.

Common examples of medical negligence include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a serious condition
• Surgical mistakes, such as operating on the wrong area or errors during procedures
• Prescription errors, including incorrect medication or dosage
• Birth injuries caused by mismanagement during labour or delivery
• Anaesthetic mistakes, such as administering too much or too little
• Failures in patient care, including poor monitoring or inadequate aftercare
• Radiology errors, such as misinterpreting scans or X-rays
• Failure to obtain informed consent before treatment

Negligence of this kind can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial consequences. At Slater Heelis, our team focus on guiding you through the process of making a claim for compensation that reflects what you have been through, and to help you get the answers you deserve about how and why the failings occurred.

How do you make a medical negligence claim?

The first step is to speak with one of our specialist medical negligence solicitors in Manchester. We’ll listen to your experience, review your medical records, and seek independent expert evidence to assess whether the treatment you received fell below the standard expected. We’ll then file a letter of claim with the healthcare provider responsible, setting out the details of your case. In some situations, we may advise you to make a formal complaint to the NHS trust or private provider first, as the response can provide useful information.

We can also answer any questions or address any concerns you might have about the process, keeping you updated in plain English and advising you on the best way forward.

How long do medical negligence claims take?

Generally anywhere between a few months to several years. The exact timescale depends on the complexity of your case and whether the healthcare provider accepts responsibility. Some straightforward claims can be settled within a few short months, while more complicated cases involving serious injury are generally amongst the ones that may take several years. Whatever the circumstances, we’ll work diligently to move your claim forward and keep you fully informed at every stage.

What are the time limits for making a medical negligence claim?

Medical negligence claims are subject to strict time limits. In most cases, you need to start a claim within three years of the point you first knew (or could reasonably have been expected to know) that your care was negligent and had caused you harm. This is known as the “date of knowledge”.

To be clear, the date of knowledge isn’t always the same as the date the treatment took place. For example, you might only realise that mistakes were made months later, when further tests reveal that a condition was misdiagnosed, or when your recovery doesn’t go as expected. The three-year limit usually begins from that point of realisation.

There are important exceptions:

• Children: a claim can be brought at any time before a child’s 18th birthday. Once they turn 18, the three-year period starts and ends on their 21st birthday.
• Mental capacity: if someone doesn’t have the mental capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit.
• Fatal claims: if negligence results in death, the three-year period runs from the date of death.

Because these time limits are strictly enforced, it’s always best to get advice as early as possible. This enables our solicitors to gather the strongest evidence while medical records and witness memories are still fresh.

Why choose our team at Slater Heelis?

At Slater Heelis, we’ve been trusted by clients in Manchester and beyond for more than 250 years, and our medical negligence team is recognised in leading legal directories such as The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Our solicitors deal with cases against both NHS and private healthcare providers, guiding our clients through the NHS complaints procedure as well as the private process overseen by the Independent Sector Complaints Adjudication Service (ISCAS). When an inquest is involved, we can provide expert legal representation that ensures your perspective is heard, while also helping you navigate the wider emotional and practical challenges that arise.

Clear communication is a key priority of ours throughout every case – we focus on explaining your options in straightforward language, providing regular updates, and ensuring you know exactly where you stand. We also work on a no win no fee basis, giving you the opportunity to pursue justice without the pressure of upfront legal costs.

Where to find our Manchester office

You can visit our medical negligence solicitors at:

The Apiary
86 Deansgate
Manchester
M3 2ER

Our office is located in the heart of Manchester city centre, just a 10-minute walk from Victoria train station. There are also several Metrolink stops nearby, including Exchange Square and St. Peter’s Square. If you’re travelling by car, a number of car parks are available close to Deansgate. The building is fully accessible, with ground-floor meeting rooms available for clients who need them. We’re well placed to assist people throughout Manchester, Greater Manchester, and the wider North West.

Contact our medical negligence solicitors in Manchester today

If you’ve suffered as a result of negligent medical treatment, our team at Slater Heelis is here to help. We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options, and guide you through the process of making a claim.

To get started, you can contact us by:

Calling us on 0161 969 3131
Filling in our online contact form

Whatever the background of your case, you can always count on us to provide an efficient, friendly and truly unrivalled service, as we work towards getting you the resolution you deserve.