Free advice on how our solicitors can help with London Never Event claims.
Experiencing a ‘Never Event’, a severe, preventable incident that happens while you’re under NHS medical care, can be traumatic both physically and emotionally. If you’ve been injured or made unwell by a Never Event in a London hospital, you may have grounds to claim compensation. The law recognises the seriousness of these incidents and, where negligence is proven, you have the right to seek redress via a Never Event claim.
We realiss that navigating the process can feel daunting, but you’re not alone. At Medical Negligence Solicitors Direct, our experienced lawyers help you understand your options, explain your rights in plain English, and support you through every stage of your claim. We offer specialist guidance, whether you’re unsure if what happened to you counts as a Never Event, or you simply want to know your next steps.
If you’re ready to talk through your situation, you can always call us on 0203 846 1981 or contact us online for a confidential, friendly conversation. And if you’d like to know more before reaching out, read on for a clear, practical overview of Never Event claims, your rights, and what to expect.
For free advice about your London Never Event claim, please get in touch today.
A Never Event is a grave mistake that is considered so serious and so preventable that it simply should never occur when health professionals are providing care. They’re defined by NHS England as incidents that cause significant harm, or have the potential to, such as operating on the wrong part of the body or giving the wrong medication to a patient. These events are rare, but when they do happen, it’s a clear signal that established safety procedures weren’t followed.
NHS trusts, whether in central London or smaller borough hospitals, have a duty to safeguard your well-being at every step. If a Never Event occurs, it’s not just a breach of their standards, it’s a breach of your trust. When mistakes this severe happen, it’s your right to seek answers and, if applicable, compensation for the harm caused.
If you want to discuss whether what happened to you or a loved one might be a Never Event, our friendly team are ready to listen and help. Therefore, please feel free to reach out for advice tailored to your experience today.
To successfully make a Never Event claim, there are three main things your solicitor will look for:
A duty of care: The healthcare provider (typically an NHS trust) owed you a legal duty to keep you safe, this is an obligation every doctor, nurse, and clinical team has when you’re their patient at any London hospital.
Breach of that duty (medical negligence): The Never Event happened because staff failed to meet reasonable professional standards. Crucially, this means established procedures or checks were ignored or not followed.
Causation (a direct link to harm): The error caused you specific injury, pain, or loss, this might be a new injury or an existing condition being made worse.
If your experience meets these points, you could have grounds to claim compensation. Don’t worry if you’re unsure, this is something our medical negligence specialists can clarify for you right from the outset.
Some of the Never Events people have claimed for include:
Surgery carried out on the wrong site (e.g., the wrong limb or organ).
Medical equipment or swabs left inside the body after an operation at a hospital such as St Thomas’.
Medication errors, like being administered the wrong drug or wrong dose.
Blood transfusions with the wrong blood type.
Misplaced feeding tubes leading to harm.
If a Never Event resulted in a loved one’s death, you may be able to make a claim as a close relative (often a spouse, partner, or child). Fatal claims are designed to cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional distress caused by the incident. Inquests, often held at Westminster Coroner’s Court or similar, might also play a role in establishing the facts.
Our solicitors will support you sensitively through every step, from gathering evidence to representing your family’s interests with the hospital trust. We focus on easing the burden at what is always a very difficult time.
If you have any questions about eligibility, or if you want to know if your case could be considered a Never Event, please get in touch, the first step is always a free confidential chat about your circumstances.
Winning a Never Event claim relies on strong evidence. Our team will work with you to build a compelling case by gathering:
Medical records: Detailed notes from your treatment at, say, Barts Health NHS Trust, including details of the incident and any subsequent investigations.
Incident reports and Root Cause Analysis: Official NHS documents that reveal what went wrong and why safety protocols failed.
Expert medical opinion: Independent specialists review your records to confirm that a Never Event took place and that it shouldn’t have happened if correct procedures were followed.
Witness statements: Accounts from you, family, or other patients can be invaluable, as can testimonies from staff who were present at the time.
Photographs or physical evidence: Images of injuries, retained items, or equipment, if applicable.
If your case is taken on, we’ll try to make sure nothing is missed, and that you’re supported every step of the way, from requesting hospital notes to instructing independent experts. Building a clear and thorough case is the key to claiming compensation and seeing justice done.
If you’d like us to review your case or help you plan what evidence might be needed for your claim, please contact us today, we’re happy to explain the process in full.
For most medical negligence claims (including Never Events), you have three years from the date of the incident or from when you first realised something went wrong to start your claim. This rule comes from the Limitation Act 1980. But, there are important exceptions you should know:
Children: If the person affected was under 18, the three-year time limit only starts when they turn 18. This allows parents to claim before then on behalf of their child.
Mental capacity: If the patient can’t make decisions about their own case, there may be no time limit until they regain capacity.
It’s always best to act sooner rather than later, memories are clearer, and vital evidence is easier to obtain. Even if you think you’re past the deadline, contact us: there may be ways we can still help.
If you’re unsure about your deadline, we offer free, no-pressure advice, just ask and we’ll explain your position in plain English.
Compensation for a Never Event aims to put you, as far as money can, back in the position you would have been in if the incident hadn’t occurred. Losses you can potentially claim for include:
Pain and suffering caused by new injuries or health complications
Loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work after leaving Queen Elizabeth Hospital or another London trust
Costs of care, rehabilitation, or special equipment
Travel expenses for treatment or therapy
Modifications to your home if needed after your injury
Any future losses (for example, reduced ability to work)
Every case is different and how much compensation you might receive depends on the severity of your harm and the impact on your daily life.
Want to know what your claim could be worth or what you’d be entitled to? If so, why not speak to our expert team today? We can answer your questions and start building the case for you right away.
When you turn to Medical Negligence Solicitors Direct, you get a dedicated, expert-driven service focused on clear communication and real results. Here’s how we typically handle Never Event claims:
Initial conversation: We listen to your story, offer initial advice, and explain the process, without any jargon or obligation.
Free case assessment: Our solicitors review your evidence and tell you if your case meets the key criteria for a Never Event claim.
Full investigation: We gather all the medical and legal documentation, working with leading London experts where needed.
Valuing your claim: We assess your losses in full, from physical injuries to lost earnings and future care needs.
Negotiation or legal representation: We handle all discussions with the NHS trust or other parties involved. If your case goes to court, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Most importantly, our approach gives you control and peace of mind, while we do the heavy lifting. If you’re unsure where to start, please contact us. We’re here to help you make an informed choice about your next steps.
We believe everyone in London affected by a Never Event should have access to justice, regardless of their financial circumstances. That’s why we offer No Win No Fee agreements. Here’s why this approach could benefit you:
No upfront costs: You don’t pay a penny unless your claim is successful.
Reduced risk: If the claim doesn’t win, you won’t face a bill for our fees.
Access to top legal advice: Even if you’re worried about money, you can instruct solicitors with specialist expertise in Never Event claims.
Transparent process: We explain our terms and answer your questions clearly, so you always know where you stand.
If you want more detail about how a No Win No Fee Never Event claim works, or wish to check your eligibility, please call or email us, we’re always happy to help and guide you.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to a Never Event in a London hospital, don’t wait, reach out for honest, confidential advice from experienced solicitors. Our team at Medical Negligence Solicitors Direct is here to walk you through your options, answer all your questions, and help you get the compensation you deserve. You can call us on 0203 846 1981 or contact us online for a quick, no-obligation chat.
Even if you’re just exploring your options or need clarity about what happened to you, it’s worth a call. It could be the first step towards justice, closure, and moving forward after experiencing a Never Event.
