Medical negligence lawyer?

wigglers

Hi i have a claim in which patientline or "fletchers" solicitors have said they would pursue a on a no win no fee basis.. But they take a 33.33% cut off any pay out. I also have been in contact with a local (ish) to me solicitor who is interested and takes 25% but then i need to take out an insurance policy also on a no win no fee basis. Vwv solicitors, and also have clarkewillmot solicitors interested. The nursing group have accepted a mistake was made that caused me injury and i have  that in writing. But does anyone have any thoughts on which of these is best to use? Thanks 

Toothsmith

Are the nursing group offering anything without the need for solicitors?

Taking it through courts will be time consuming & stressful. The longer it goes on, the more money the lawyers on both sides will make - that's independent of any damages you get awarded, which, as you've found out, yours get a cut of too.

If this is something serious, and the money you get will really make a difference to your life in coping with whatever injury has been caused you - then it may well be worth it.

If the difference between what you've been offered, and your cut of whatever the solicitors think you might get (Bear in mind it's in their interests to be 'optimistic' when predicting that) Isn't really that much. Then I'd save yourself the stress.

wigglers

No the nursing group haven't offered anything yet, they basically fitted a machine setting on me and burnt my skin putting my healing back and basically leaving me worse off than before they got involved. They have accepted something went wrong and its their fault but still conducting their investigation into it. 

bargainbetty

Let them complete their investigation and see what they come up with. Research on line what compensation is genuinely likely to be, rather than what the solicitors are promising, and see if you can find a happy medium without getting lawyers involved. If they have to pay your costs as well, it gets messier. If you accept a sum and a fixed fee for a solicitor to review the agreement (often £500 for the law firm), you don't need to get it all messy. 

Do an honest assessment of your out-of-pocket expenses, missed work, travel etc. Don't envision fivers falling from the sky, it's extremely rare. 

Edit: If you have home insurance, see if you can get a 30 minute consult through them. Don't go with ambulance chasers though - it's just about money and not about you. 

wigglers

This is the thing Its such an obscure thing to happen i don't think there is a compensation i can compare it too. The nurse came to my house fitted a vac machine wrong, burned my skin and wound area and put my healing back. Like i say patientline have referred me to a solicitor which I'm reluctant to go with but yeah local solicitors have said they would like to investigate further. Patientline ring or email at least once a day and seem desperate so im thinking i won't be using them at the very least...