Accident & Emergency, Minor Injuries Unit & Urgent Treatment Centre Compensation Claims
When you attend Accident and Emergency, you are often at your most vulnerable. You rely on healthcare professionals to assess your condition quickly, make the right decisions, and provide urgent care when it matters most.
While many patients receive excellent treatment, mistakes in A&E, Minor Injuries Units (MIU) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) can and do happen. Because of the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of emergency departments, errors such as misdiagnosis, delays in treatment or failure to recognise serious symptoms can have serious consequences.
If you or a loved one has been affected by poor care in an emergency department, you may be entitled to make an accident and emergency compensation claim.
At Nash & Co Solicitors, our Medical Negligence team supports clients in Plymouth, across Devon and Cornwall, and nationwide. We understand that raising concerns about emergency care can feel daunting, especially when you trusted professionals to act quickly and safely. Our role is to listen, carefully investigate what happened, and help you secure the support and compensation you may need moving forward.
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A&E medical negligence occurs when healthcare professionals fail to provide care that meets acceptable medical standards in an emergency setting, resulting in avoidable harm. This can include errors in diagnosis, delays in treatment, or failure to act on urgent symptoms.
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Yes. If you were discharged without appropriate assessment or investigation and your condition worsened as a result, this may form the basis of a claim.
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Yes. Delays in diagnosing serious conditions such as infections or internal injuries can lead to complications. If earlier diagnosis would likely have improved the outcome, a claim may be possible.
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Yes. You may be able to bring a claim on behalf of a loved one if they are unable to do so themselves, or in certain circumstances where they have passed away.
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The length of a claim depends on its complexity. Straightforward cases may resolve more quickly, while those involving serious injury or disputed evidence can take longer. Our Medical Negligence team will guide you through the expected timescales.
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What is an Accident and Emergency Claim?
An Accident & Emergency claim is a type of medical negligence claim. It arises when a patient suffers avoidable harm due to substandard care received in an emergency or urgent department.
Emergency departments are expected to assess, prioritise and treat patients safely, even under pressure. While delays can occur, there is still a duty to identify serious conditions and act appropriately.
Common examples of A&E negligence include:
Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose serious conditions
Delays in treatment or assessment
Failure to carry out appropriate tests
Misinterpretation of test results
Incorrect discharge decisions
Failure to refer to specialists
Injuries or conditions linked to A&E negligence can include worsening illness, avoidable complications, long-term health issues, or in severe cases, life-threatening outcomes.
A successful claim can help provide financial support for treatment, rehabilitation and any ongoing care needs.
If you believe your care fell below acceptable standards, a member of the team can help you understand your options.
If you think this may have happened to you, or you want to get in touch about the details of your situation, please contact our team of professional lawyers to see if you can make a claim.
Signs You May Have an Accident & Emergency Claim
Not every poor outcome in A&E is the result of negligence. However, there are situations where the standard of care may have fallen below what is reasonably expected.
You may have a claim if:
Your condition was misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all
There were delays in assessing or treating your symptoms
You were discharged too early without proper investigation
Test results were not acted upon
Serious symptoms were dismissed or not taken seriously
There was a delay in referring you to a specialist
You received incorrect treatment or medication
If your condition worsened because of what happened in A&E, it may be worth exploring whether a claim is possible.
The value of an accident and emergency compensation claim depends on how the negligence has affected you.
Compensation may include:
Pain and suffering caused by the injury or illness
Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation
Loss of earnings or impact on your ability to work
Ongoing care or support needs
Additional expenses linked to your recovery
Every case is unique, and the amount awarded will reflect your individual circumstances and the long-term impact of what has happened.
The team will ensure that any claim fully considers both your current situation and future needs.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive?
How Do I Make an Accident & Emergency Claim?
The first step is a free, confidential conversation with a member of the Medical Negligence team. We will listen carefully to your experience and advise you on whether there may be grounds for a claim.
A&E claims often involve reviewing medical records, timelines of events, and expert medical opinions to determine whether the care provided was appropriate.
We work with independent medical experts to build a clear picture of what happened and whether earlier or different treatment would have made a difference.
Where possible, we will also look to secure interim payments to help with treatment or financial pressures while your claim progresses.
Time Limits for Making an Accident & Emergency Claim
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the injury, or from when you first became aware that negligence may have occurred, to make a claim. There are some important exceptions in the instance of children, where the three-year period begins on their 18th birthday, or for individuals who lack mental capacity, where there may not be a time limit at all.
Seeking advice early can help ensure important evidence is preserved and your options remain open.
Choosing who to trust with your claim is an important decision.
Our Medical Negligence team has experience handling a wide range of claims involving emergency care, including complex cases where delays or misdiagnosis have had serious consequences.
Based in Plymouth, we support clients across Devon, Cornwall and throughout the UK. We understand both the local healthcare systems and the wider challenges within emergency care services.
We approach every case with care and understanding. We recognise that many clients feel frustrated, confused or concerned about what happened in A&E.
Our role is to provide clear guidance, investigate thoroughly, and support you throughout the process.
Why Choose Nash & Co Solicitors for an A&E Claim?
Our client-first approach
We understand that making a claim following emergency treatment can feel overwhelming.
Our approach focuses on:
Clear and honest communication
Keeping you informed at every stage
Minimising stress wherever possible
Working around your circumstances
Supporting access to appropriate care and rehabilitation
We are committed to handling your case with sensitivity and professionalism from start to finish.
Additional Support
We handle accident and emergency claims on a no win, no fee basis. This means:
You will not need to pay any upfront legal fees
There is no financial risk if your claim is unsuccessful
All costs are explained clearly from the beginning
This allows you to explore a claim with confidence and without added financial pressure.
A member of the Medical Negligence team can talk you through how this works in more detail.
In addition, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation where you can speak directly with an experienced member of the Medical Negligence team about your situation.
If your claim is successful, we may also be able to secure interim payments to support treatment, rehabilitation or day-to-day needs while your case is ongoing.
Accident & Emergency Claims FAQs
Below, we have addressed the most commonly asked questions about Accident & Emergency claims and compensation.
If you have any other questions that aren't answered here,don't hesitate to contact us.
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Yes. In some cases, responsibility may involve more than one healthcare professional or department. The team will investigate who may be accountable based on the care provided.
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A claim may still be possible if earlier assessment or treatment would likely have prevented your condition from worsening.
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No. While some people choose to raise a complaint, it is not a requirement for making a medical negligence claim.
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Yes. Repeat visits can sometimes highlight missed opportunities to diagnose or treat a condition appropriately.
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Medical records are an important part of a claim, but additional evidence such as expert opinions and witness accounts can also be used to build your case.
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Bringing a claim will not affect your right to NHS treatment or the care you receive in the future. The legal process is separate from your ongoing medical support. We can explain how this works so that you feel reassured about your future care.
Get in Touch
As one of the top law firms in Plymouth, we make four promises to you that shape our everyday job to deliver exceptional client service and positive outcomes.
We are transparent about costs
We'll keep things simple and understandable
We'll always be straight with you and keep you informed
You'll get fast, efficient, and reliable service
Rest assured, whatever medical negligence issue you're facing, we'll do our best to help you.
Give us a ring or fill in our form below to speak to a member of our team today, and get the answers you need to make your claim.
If your enquiry is urgent then please call us on 01752 827085.