What is involved in making a claim? Medical negligence claims are notoriously difficult to prove. The injuries suffered as a result of poor or sub-standard medical treatment can be as catastrophic as those caused by a road accident. Sadly, that in itself does not mean that there is an automatic entitlement to compensation.

 A claim may be brought against a GP, hospital doctor and/or anyone else involved in your medical care, such as a nurse or midwife. If you were treated in hospital, the relevant NHS Trust will be responsible for dealing with the claim on behalf of its staff.

 A specialist solicitor will start by obtaining your medical records. He or she will then ask an independent expert to report on whether the care you were given was negligent and fell below an acceptable standard.

 If the expert agrees that the care given was negligent, further evidence will be needed to confirm that you suffered injury as a direct result of the sub-standard medical care. In a successful case you will be compensated for your pain, suffering and financial losses in just the same way as with any other kind of accident.