GP negligence claims

General Practitioners (GPs) are the cornerstone of healthcare in England and Wales, providing essential advice, diagnoses, and treatment. While most GPs deliver excellent care, mistakes can happen, and when care falls below acceptable standards, it can lead to serious harm. At Taylor Rose, we specialise in helping individuals who have suffered due to GP negligence seek justice and compensation.

What is GP Negligence?

GP negligence occurs when the care provided by a General Practitioner is substandard and causes harm to the patient. This could involve:

• Misdiagnosis: Incorrectly diagnosing a condition, leading to inappropriate or harmful treatment.

• Failure to diagnose: Missing serious conditions such as cancer, meningitis, or heart disease.

• Medication errors: Prescribing the wrong medication, incorrect dosages, or failing to account for allergies or drug interactions.

• Failure to refer: Not referring a patient to a specialist or for further tests when necessary.

• Delays in treatment: Not acting promptly on symptoms, test results, or warning signs.

When these errors occur, the consequences can be severe, including prolonged illness, unnecessary suffering, or life-threatening complications.

Examples of GP Negligence

Common scenarios that may give rise to a GP negligence claim include:

• A delayed cancer diagnosis because symptoms were dismissed as a minor ailment.

• Failing to refer a patient with symptoms of a stroke to the hospital for urgent treatment.

• Prescribing medication that interacts dangerously with a patient’s existing prescription.

• Missing symptoms of a serious infection such as sepsis or meningitis.

• Misinterpreting or failing to act on blood test or scan results.

How to Prove GP Negligence

To make a successful claim, you must show that your GP’s actions or inactions fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent practitioner and that the negligence directly resulted in an injury, illness, or worsening of your condition.

Compensation for GP Negligence

If your claim is successful, compensation may cover:

• General damages: For pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life caused by the negligence.

• Special damages: For financial losses, including medical expenses, lost earnings, and the cost of care or rehabilitation.

• Future costs: For ongoing treatment, adaptations to your home, or long-term care needs.

The amount of compensation varies depending on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life.

Time Limits for Making a Claim

In most cases, you must start your claim within three years of:

• The date of the negligent incident, or

• The date you realised the negligence caused your injury (the “date of knowledge”).

For children, the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday, and those without mental capacity may have the limitation period paused. Acting promptly is essential to ensure your claim is within the legal time frame.

Contact Us Today

If you believe you’ve suffered due to GP negligence, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and provide clear advice on your options.