Sepsis is a disease, sometimes known as septicaemia or blood poisoning. Meningitis is a disease which causes inflammation of the membranes in your brain. Both are potentially life-threatening conditions. Due to their potential severity, it is crucial that sepsis and meningitis are diagnosed and treated as early as possible. If you suffered from sepsis or meningitis and feel it was misdiagnosed or there was a delay in diagnosis/treatment, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
How we can help
At Hay & Kilner, we have many experienced solicitors (David Bradshaw, Lauren Hall, Helen Morland, Michael Taylor, Michael Scobie, Sophie Moss) to help with your sepsis and meningitis claim.
Who can bring a Sepsis/Meningitis claim?
If you have been diagnosed with sepsis or meningitis, and have suffered harm, or financial loss, as a result of negligent treatment in respect of sepsis or meningitis, or a loved one has sadly died as a result of sepsis or meningitis, you may be able to make a sepsis/meningitis claim irrespective of whether the treatment was received under the NHS or on a private basis.
Why choose Hay & Kilner?
Hay & Kilner’s team of specialised clinical negligence solicitors has recovered hundreds of thousands of pounds of compensation on behalf of their clients in sepsis and meningitis negligence claims and can help you access expert care and rehabilitation to meet any current and future needs you may have.
We provide a high-quality service and will take the time to get to know you and understand exactly what you have been through to get you the compensation you deserve. We represent clients in all areas of the North East, and are happy to come out to see you at home if you ever have difficulty attending the office.
Rehabilitation are care packages:
If you or your child is suffering from a serious injury and/or disability as a result of sepsis or meningitis, we can assist in arranging appropriate rehabilitation and care packages to ensure you/your child gets the care and assistance needed to help you live with the injury.
Is there a time limit to claim for Sepsis/Meningitis medical negligence?
An Act of Parliament sets out time limits for bringing a clinical negligence/sepsis/meningitis claim. Failure to issue proceedings within this time scale may mean that the sepsis/meningitis claim is time barred and cannot proceed.
The Limitation Act provides that the time limit is three years from the date on which harm resulted from the allegedly negligent action; or, if later, the date when you became aware that you received negligent treatment.
In the case of minors that is for the people who are under the age of 18 years, the limitation period does not begin to run until their 18th birthday.
If the injured person is suffering from a mental disability the time limit does not start to run until mental capacity has returned. If mental capacity never returns then an action for damages can be started at any time in the future even though the primary 3-year limitation period may have expired. You can find out more about the clinical negligence law with our guide.
Find out more about when to pursue a sepsis/meningitis claim and if you claim compensation for sepsis? with our article Is it too late to bring a clinical negligence claim?
How much does it cost to make a Sepsis or Meningitis claim?
There are several ways a claim can be funded; the most common being under a Conditional Fee Agreement on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. Read more about the different ways to fund your potential sepsis claim, or meningitis claim, with our article No Win No Fee and other options for funding your medical negligence claim.
How long will a Sepsis or Meningitis claim take?
Sepsis medical negligence claims, and Meningitis claims, can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to reach a resolution. The likely timescale usually depends on the severity of your injuries and whether or not your doctor or other healthcare practitioner accepts responsibility for your injuries.
How do I start a Sepsis/Meningitis claim?
If you think you may be entitled to compensation for an injury you have suffered, contact our team on 0191 232 8345 or using our online contact form and we will arrange an initial appointment to discuss your potential claim free of charge.
Meet the team
Lauren Hall
Lauren has successfully recovered substantial damages for clients in respect of clinical and dental negligence.
David Bradshaw
A Partner in the firm, David has over 30 years’ experience working in the clinical negligence field and handles some of the most complex and substantial of our medical negligence cases.
Helen Morland
Helen has a varied and complex caseload with significant expertise in cases involving cerebral palsy, brain injury claims, spinal injury, and cancer.
Michael Scobie
Michael is an experienced solicitor acting on behalf of individuals who have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence and on behalf of families where medical negligence has resulted in the loss of a loved one.
Michael Taylor
As an Associate Michael has assisted clients across a range of clinical negligence claims including catastrophic birth, brain, and spinal injuries.
Sophie Moss
Sophie has a varied caseload with experience dealing with all types of cases. She has experience dealing with all aspects of a claim from the taking of initial instructions and assessment of merits, to preparation of trial bundles and attendances at settlement meetings.
Athena Fernyhough
Athena is a Trainee Solicitor who sits in our Clinical Negligence team.
Sabrina Tang
Sabrina supports all members of the Clinical Negligence Team.
Ailish Simpson
Ailish graduated from Northumbria University with a First Class Masters degree in Law and joined the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury team in September 2024.
Nina Kennett
Nina assists all members of the clinical negligence department in a variety of cases
Expert commentary & updates
Complaints about medical care and treatment
Our step-by-step guide on how to make a complaint about medical care and treatment. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Leading the way in clinical negligence claims
Discover how Hay & Kilner’s top-ranking clinical negligence team in Newcastle, led by Lauren Hall, offers expert, empathetic legal support across a wide range of medical malpractice claims.
Settlement in a post-natal sepsis claim
Hay & Kilner’s Clinical Negligence Team secured a favourable settlement in a complex post-natal sepsis case ahead of trial, providing vital support and future financial relief for the family involved.
You may also need advice on
Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims
Everyone knows that early, and prompt, diagnosis and treatment of cancer gives a patient the best chance of survival. However, doctors or other medical professionals sometimes make mistakes and may diagnose your symptoms too late. This can result in your cancer spreading, making it more difficult to treat and can result in a reduced prognosis and life expectancy
Eye Injury (Ophthalmic) Claims
Sight is often considered to be one of the most important senses we have and, when it is affected, reduced, or lost altogether, this has a major impact on a person’s everyday life. Injuries arising out of negligent ophthalmic treatment can therefore be significant and you may be entitled to claim compensation.
GP Negligence Claims
Your GP, or GP practice, is often the first place you go to when you have a medical problem. For example GPs are responsible for considering potential diagnoses, treating your symptoms (where possible), and/or arranging and referring you for tests, specialist care and appropriate treatments. There are multiple opportunities for things to go wrong, or mistakes to be made which can result in all sorts of injuries ranging from minor to severe.
Obstetric and Gynaecological Claims
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are not only involved in the care of pregnant women, labour and childbirth, but also provide care and treatment to women for a range of other symptoms and conditions. Mistakes can occur at any time and, if you have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by an obstetrician or gynaecologist, you may be entitled to compensation.
Orthopaedic Claims
Orthopaedic care covers a range of conditions and treatments involving bones, joints, ligaments and tendons, to name a few. Mistakes can occur at any time and, if you have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
Pregnancy and Birth Injury to Mother Claims
During pregnancy, an expectant mother is treated by a range of practitioners they may not have come across before such as gynaecologists and midwives. Everyone deserves the best care during their pregnancies and labour but, sometimes mistakes occur, and injuries can happen. If you have suffered an injury as a result of negligence during your pregnancy or labour, you may be entitled to compensation.
Spinal Injury Claims
Spinal injuries can develop very quickly and have devastating effects on a patient’s life and that of their family and friends. If you have suffered a spinal injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
Surgical Negligence Claims
Operations should always be performed to an appropriate standard of care and surgical technique. However, mistakes can happen during any operation and can cause you unnecessary pain and suffering. If you have suffered an injury as a result of surgical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
Leave us a message
Send us your query and we will be back in touch as soon as possible.
For the latest insights, updates and events join our mailing list