Professional Negligence Compensation Claims

When you hire a professional, you trust that they have the qualifications, skills and abilities necessary to carry out the work you’re paying for to an acceptable standard. So it can come as a shock when you end up losing out because of the negligence of someone you thought you could rely on.

If you have suffered as a result of a professional’s incompetence, you may feel like you have no choice but to tolerate it. This is not the case. If you have been disadvantaged because a professional has failed in their duty to you, you may be entitled to professional negligence compensation.

Compare professional negligence solicitors today to start your claim.

Am I Entitled To Make A Professional Negligence Claim?

According to law, professionals must fulfil their duty of care to their client, meaning the service should be carried out in a careful manner to a high standard. If this duty of care has been breached and has had a negative impact on you, you may be entitled to compensation for professional negligence. There are many scenarios in which professional negligence can be claimed, for example:

• An accountant providing incorrect tax advice resulting in you losing money
• A hairdresser using chemicals they have not been adequately trained to use leaving you with chemical burns
• A structural engineer failing to follow industry standards on a construction project leading to work having to be redone, causing financial loss

If you are unsure whether you are eligible to make a professional negligence claim, there are some typical signs you can look out for. This could include the defendant:

• Not completing a project to the agreed deadline, brief or standard
• Failing to submit official documents or claims on time
• Drafting official documents with inaccuracies
• Giving poor professional advice
• Losing data or documents
• Breaching copyright or confidentiality

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. To find out if a situation you have been involved in meets the definition of professional negligence, you should seek advice from a specialist solicitor, who can help you receive the money you are owed.

The amount of time it takes for a professional negligence claim to be resolved depends on a variety of factors, including how complex the case is, how much evidence you have and whether the defendant causes any delays. It will usually take at least 12 months before your case is heard in court.

How To Make A Professional Negligence Claim

To start a claim for professional negligence, your solicitor will need to ensure that your case fits the following criteria:

• A professional owed you a duty of care
• A professional breached that duty of care
• As a direct result of this, you suffered financial loss or other damages.

If your case does fit the criteria, you will then need to prove it. The more evidence you can produce the better, as this will make a much stronger case for your solicitor to argue. Evidence that can be used in a professional negligence claim include:

• Written contracts
• Witness statements
• Emails
• Photos or footage of the damage
• Medical reports
• Financial statements
• Police reports

The best thing to do if you think you might have a claim for professional negligence is to get in touch with a solicitor. They can help you to collect evidence and argue your case in court. By requesting a callback with us, we can offer you expert advice and support so you can take those first steps to receiving the compensation you deserve.

Fees And Compensation

When making a professional negligence claim, you don’t have to worry about losing out on money. Many solicitors will offer a no win, no fee agreement which means you don’t pay if your case is unsuccessful. If you win the case, you pay what is known as a success fee – a set percentage of your compensation payout, capped at 25%.

Professional negligence compensation claims can vary widely in terms of payouts. It all depends on the loss that was suffered. In some cases, it is clear to see that professional incompetence led to the direct loss of a certain sum of money. For example, if a financial advisor recommended that you invest in unsuitable financial products, the amount of money that you invested would be taken into account. However, valuing lost opportunities can be a more complex task.

With a professional negligence or personal injury solicitor at your side, you should be able to get the maximum amount of compensation you are owed. If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of professional negligence, you can get a rough idea of how much you could be due using our claims calculator.

Time Limits On Making A Claim

Usually, you can make a claim for professional negligence up to six years after the issue has occurred. However, there are cases where this can be extended. This typically happens when the negligence doesn’t become apparent until a later date.

When making any professional negligence, personal injury or other type of compensation claim, time is of the essence. The sooner you seek legal advice and start your claim, the more likely you are to be successful, so it’s advisable to act without delay.