Orthopaedic Negligence Claims
When orthopaedic treatment goes wrong, the impact on your day-to-day life can be significant. If you think substandard care is to blame, our solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester will tell you honestly what your options are.
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Alternatively, talk to one of our team members on 0330 111 3131 or via our online enquiry form.
What is orthopaedic medical negligence?
Orthopaedic medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional fails to meet the expected standard of care when diagnosing or treating conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves, and that failure causes avoidable harm to the patient.
How we can help with your orthopaedic negligence claim
Joint replacement claims
A joint replacement surgery carries real risk when performed poorly. We handle orthopaedic negligence claims involving incorrectly fitted implants, wrong-size components, surgical errors during the procedure, and complications that were not properly managed afterwards.
Missed and delayed fracture diagnosis
A missed fracture occurs when a medical professional fails to identify a break, often by not requesting an X-ray or misreading one. Left untreated, fractures can heal incorrectly and cause long-term pain, reduced mobility, or the need for corrective surgery.
Surgical errors
Wrong-site surgery, nerve damage during an operation, post-operative infection, and unnecessary procedures are all common forms of medical negligence in orthopaedic surgery. We act for patients across Manchester, Sale and Chester who have been left worse off as a result of errors before, during or after surgery.
Spinal surgery negligence
Spinal surgery negligence claims arise when procedures such as lumbar decompression go wrong. If something does go wrong, the consequences can include nerve damage, paralysis, or conditions such as cauda equina syndrome that were preventable with prompt and appropriate treatment.
Failure to obtain consent
Before any surgical procedure, patients must be clearly informed of the risks involved. Where a surgeon fails to explain those risks and harm results, this can form the basis of an orthopaedic negligence claim in its own right.
Rehabilitation support during your claim
In amputation injury cases, we work with specialist rehabilitation consultants to arrange assessments and put the right support in place as your case progresses. We don’t wait for it to settle first. Where interim payments can be secured to fund rehabilitation early, we will pursue them. Getting the right input at the right stage can make a significant difference to your recovery.
How an orthopaedic negligence claim works
- Free initial assessment
You’ll tell us what happened. We’ll listen and give you an honest view on whether your case has merit, and discuss your case in straightforward, plain language,
- We gather your medical records
We request your full medical history and treatment records. This stage typically takes four to eight weeks, but it’s worth doing properly as the strength of an orthopaedic negligence claim usually lives or dies on the medical evidence.
- Independent expert review
We instruct a specialist orthopaedic expert to review your records and confirm whether your care fell below the accepted standard.
- We put your case together
We handle the legal legwork. You’ll be kept informed at every stage.
- Settlement or court proceedings
Most claims settle without going to court. If yours doesn’t, we’ll be with you throughout.
Why choose Slater Heelis for an orthopaedic negligence claim
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 orthopaedic 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 orthopaedic 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 how orthopaedic negligence claims are won
Orthopaedic negligence cases are rarely straightforward. They rely on detailed medical evidence, often involving disputes about whether a different course of treatment would have produced a better outcome and by how much. The quality of the independent orthopaedic expert instructed to review your case matters enormously; so does understanding how NHS trusts and insurers approach defending these claims. Our solicitors know which arguments carry weight, which medical records need scrutinising, and where these cases typically run into difficulty.
When orthopaedic negligence causes harm, the effects can be long-lasting, physically, financially, and on your ability to work and get around day to day. If you’re looking for an experienced orthopaedic 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 orthopaedic 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.
