Crownmark Lawyers advises patients who have suffered harm as a result of medical, surgical, dental, diagnostic or other treatment that fell below the standard reasonably expected. These claims include surgical error, delayed or missed diagnosis, medication and anaesthetic error, failure to obtain informed consent, and injuries arising from cosmetic or obstetric procedures.

A poor outcome is not the same as negligence. Many procedures carry recognised risks that can occur despite competent care. The distinction turns on independent expert opinion, which must address both whether the treatment fell below an acceptable standard and whether that failure caused the harm complained of. Both elements must be established.

Our first step is usually to obtain the complete clinical record and have it reviewed by an appropriately qualified specialist. This can take time, and we explain at the outset what the review is likely to involve and what it will cost, so that clients can make an informed decision before committing to a claim.

Complaints to health regulators run separately from a damages claim and serve a different purpose. We advise on both pathways, so clients can decide whether they are seeking compensation, accountability, or an explanation of what occurred.

Our services include:

• Surgical, anaesthetic and medication error claims

• Delayed and missed diagnosis claims

• Informed consent and failure to warn claims

• Dental, cosmetic and obstetric injury claims

• Obtaining clinical records and independent expert opinion

• Health regulator and complaints body pathways

• Negotiation and litigation of damages claims