GP Negligence Claims

Suing a doctor for negligence: Your rights explained

All UK residents are entitled to access care from a General Practitioner (GP) through the NHS. GPs are trained medical professionals who serve as the first point of contact in the healthcare system, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions and referring patients for specialist or emergency care when needed.

If you believe that you’ve suffered harm because of a GP’s mistake or substandard care, you may be entitled to pursue a GP negligence claim. This is a type of clinical negligence claim, where compensation may be available for the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by a doctor’s failure to meet expected standards.

What is GP negligence?

GP negligence refers to situations where a GP fails to provide medical care that meets the accepted professional standard, resulting in harm or injury to a patient that could have been avoided. This can include a range of actions or omissions, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, medication errors, or failure to refer to specialists when necessary.

Can I sue my GP for negligence?

Yes, you can sue your GP if their care falls below the standard expected of a reasonably competent doctor and this directly causes you harm or worsens your condition. If you believe your GP’s actions have caused you unnecessary suffering, you may be able to claim compensation.

Standards of care

The Royal College of General Practitioners operates two schemes to assess the care standards of GP practices. A practice may be awarded the Quality Practice Award if it provides ‘exceptional care.’ At the same time, it may receive ‘Practice Accreditation’ if it provides a wide range of ‘safe, high-quality, and responsive care.

Every patient has a right to good quality health care based on best practice guidelines. You should receive drugs and treatment appropriate to your condition and recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

However, despite guidelines, quality awards, and extensive training, GPs can and do make mistakes. Sometimes, these mistakes rise to the level of medical negligence. These mistakes can sometimes lead to surgical negligence claims, especially when errors occur during surgical procedures.

How do I prove a negligent GP claim?

To establish that a GP has been negligent, it must be shown that:

• There was a duty of care
• That duty of care was not met
• Due to this breach of care, harm was caused

Successfully proving these elements can lead to compensation claims for the harm caused by the GP’s negligence. Medical negligence cases cover all aspects of GP care, some of which make the national headlines.

Common types of GP negligence

According to the Medical Defence Union, which provides insurance for around half of GPs, claims for misconduct and poor practice are rising.

Among the most frequent claims are:

• Cancer misdiagnosis
• Failure to diagnose infections
• Missed ectopic pregnancy
• Undiagnosed fractures

These errors can lead to serious harm, long-term complications, or even death. At Osbornes Law, our specialist medical negligence solicitors have represented hundreds of clients affected by GP and doctor negligence. If you’ve suffered due to substandard medical care, you may be entitled to compensation.

Real-world examples of GP Negligence

Gosport War Memorial Hospital

One of the most serious examples of GP negligence involved the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, where over 450 elderly patients died after being prescribed unnecessary and dangerous levels of painkillers.

Dr Jane Barton, a GP who supported the hospital’s wards, prescribed high doses of diamorphine through syringe drivers—despite the medication not being clinically justified for the patients’ conditions. This practice continued for 12 years.

Although hospital consultants were aware of these prescribing practices, they failed to intervene. Nurses raised concerns but were reportedly warned not to escalate them. An official inquiry later found an “institutionalised regime” of unsafe prescribing, contributing directly to avoidable deaths.

As of early 2025, Kent Police have identified 29 suspects in connection with the deaths at the hospital. The High Court has ordered new inquests into the deaths of several patients, including Gladys Richards, Arthur Cunningham, and Robert Wilson. These inquests aim to provide a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

GP negligence case studies: How Osbornes Law help patients

While the Gosport case is extreme, it underscores how dangerous poor GP care can be. At Osbornes Law, we support patients affected by GP negligence every day—often in less high-profile but equally life-altering situations.

Our experienced medical negligence solicitors have acted in a wide range of successful claims involving GP errors such as delayed diagnosis, failure to refer, and inappropriate prescribing.

Here are some real case studies we’ve recently settled:

• Inappropriate prescribing: A woman received a six-figure settlement after being prescribed an antibiotic for eight times longer than recommended, resulting in irreversible lung damage.
• Failure to diagnose: A man settled a medical negligence claim against two former GPs after they allegedly failed to identify classic symptoms of Giant Cell Arthritis and refer him for investigation and treatment.
• Missed urgent symptoms: A woman secured compensation after her GP failed to spot her detached retina, leading to significant vision loss.

These cases demonstrate our commitment to holding medical professionals accountable and helping patients secure the compensation they deserve.

GP negligence compensation: What you need to know

If you’ve suffered harm because of poor care from your GP, you may be entitled to compensation. GP negligence compensation is designed to help patients recover the financial and personal losses caused by substandard treatment.

This can include:

• Medical expenses for corrective treatment
• Loss of earnings or future income
• Pain and suffering—both physical and emotional
• Care and rehabilitation costs
• Impact on your quality of life

At Osbornes Law, our specialist medical negligence solicitors are here to help you understand your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

How much compensation could I receive?

The amount of compensation you could receive for doctor negligence depends on several key factors, including:

• The severity of your injury
• The impact on your daily life and future health
• The financial losses you’ve experienced
• The level of negligence involved

For example, a minor delay in treatment might result in a lower award than a serious misdiagnosis with long-term effects. Every case is unique, which is why we offer tailored advice to help you understand the potential value of your claim.

How to make a GP or doctor negligence compensation claim

Making a claim for GP negligence follows the same process as other medical negligence claims. Here’s what to expect:

1. Initial consultation: We’ll listen to your experience and assess whether you may have grounds for a claim.
2. Gathering evidence: This includes your medical records, expert opinions, and other relevant documentation.
3. Making a formal complaint: You can raise your concerns directly with the GP practice or escalate the matter to the NHS, your local health board, or the General Medical Council (GMC).
4. Building your case: If a duty of care was breached and you were harmed as a result, we’ll work with you to pursue compensation.
5. Negotiation or court proceedings: Most claims settle out of court, but we are fully prepared to represent you if necessary.

We handle most cases on a no win, no fee basis, so you won’t pay legal fees unless your claim is successful.

Time limits for GP negligence claims

In most cases, you have three years to start a claim—either from the date the negligent treatment occurred or the date you first became aware of the harm caused.

There are exceptions:

• Children: The three-year time limit doesn’t begin until their 18th birthday.
• Lack of mental capacity: There is no time limit unless the person regains capacity.

Because time limits can vary, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our solicitors can confirm the deadline that applies to your case and ensure action is taken within the legal timeframe.

Why choose our Osbornes Law?

We are recognised specialists in medical negligence claims, with decades of experience helping patients recover compensation after suffering due to GP errors.

• Award-winning law firm
• Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK
• Proven success in GP negligence cases

Contact Osbornes Law today for expert advice on making a GP negligence claim. To speak with one of our solicitors, contact us by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811