Lithuanian Medical Negligence Solicitors

Medical Negligence and the Lithuanian Community in the UK

With over 200,000 Lithuanians registered in the UK, the community is one of the largest and most established of any EU group here. Many Lithuanians have been accessing the NHS for years — yet for others, particularly those who arrived more recently, navigating the system remains a challenge.

GP registration, referral pathways, two-week wait rules, consultant appointments — these processes work differently from Lithuania’s healthcare model and can be confusing even for confident English speakers. When a consultation is rushed and an interpreter is unavailable, the gap between what you are experiencing and what the doctor understands can become dangerous.

A significant number of Lithuanians work in the NHS itself — in nursing, care, auxiliary and administrative roles. They are, in many respects, uniquely familiar with the system. But being a healthcare worker does not make you immune from receiving substandard care as a patient.

When a clinical mistake causes harm, our Lithuanian medical negligence solicitors are ready to advise you on your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Types of Medical Negligence Affecting Lithuanian Clients

Delayed Diagnosis

A delayed diagnosis means a correct diagnosis was eventually reached, but not when it should have been. The delay may have allowed a condition to progress to a more advanced stage, making treatment harder, more invasive and less likely to succeed. In conditions like cancer, sepsis and cardiac disease, diagnostic timing is critical.

We handle delayed diagnosis claims where a GP or specialist failed to investigate symptoms in a timely way, failed to follow up on abnormal test results, or dismissed concerns that warranted urgent investigation.

Misdiagnosis

Being told you have one condition when you have another can result in harmful treatment for the wrong illness, while the real problem goes untreated. Misdiagnosis claims require expert evidence showing that a competent clinician in the same position would have reached the correct diagnosis.

Surgical Negligence

Surgical errors include operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside a patient, errors during laparoscopic procedures, and failures in post-operative monitoring that allow serious complications — including sepsis, haemorrhage and deep vein thrombosis — to develop. If you experienced a surgical complication that you believe was avoidable, it is worth speaking to us.

GP Negligence

Your GP has a pivotal role in identifying serious conditions early. When a GP consistently fails to act on worrying symptoms, delays urgent referral or prescribes medication without adequate review, and your health deteriorates as a result, they may have breached their duty of care.

Lithuanian clients sometimes tell us they felt dismissed or that they had to push hard to be referred — often a result of language barriers or unconscious assumptions. If this resonates with your experience, we can assess whether your GP’s conduct fell below the required standard.

Birth and Maternity Injuries

Birth injury claims are some of the most significant cases we handle. We represent families where negligent care during pregnancy, labour or the immediate post-natal period caused catastrophic harm — including cerebral palsy, hypoxic brain injury, Erb’s palsy and stillbirth. We also act for mothers who suffered serious injury during childbirth due to avoidable error.

Cancer Negligence

NHS guidelines specify clear referral timelines for suspected cancer. When a GP or other clinician fails to follow these guidelines and cancer advances untreated, the patient suffers harm that may have been preventable. We assess cancer negligence cases involving breast, bowel, cervical, lung, prostate and skin cancers, among others.

Proving Medical Negligence

To succeed in a medical negligence claim in England and Wales, four legal tests must be met. Our Lithuanian solicitors explain how these tests apply to your case:

1. Duty of care — virtually always satisfied once a healthcare professional agreed to treat you.

2. Breach of duty — we obtain independent expert evidence showing that your treatment fell below the standard of a reasonably competent practitioner in the relevant field.

3. Causation — we must prove that the breach caused your injury or worsened your existing condition. This often requires detailed expert analysis of what your outcome would have been with proper treatment.

4. Quantifiable harm — there must be physical, psychological or financial harm for which compensation can be awarded.

What Compensation Covers

General damages — the personal impact:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Psychological harm: anxiety, PTSD, depression caused by the negligence
• Scarring, disfigurement or physical changes
• Loss of the ability to enjoy activities, relationships and a normal life

Special damages — your financial losses:

• Lost earnings during recovery
• Future loss of income if your capacity to work is permanently affected
• Private medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Care provided by family members or paid carers
• Home adaptations and mobility equipment
• Travel expenses for appointments

In serious cases — particularly birth injuries and those resulting in permanent disability — special damages form the largest component of the claim and can represent substantial sums over a lifetime.

The Claims Process

1. First consultation. A Lithuanian-speaking solicitor hears your account of what happened and assesses the viability of your claim. We are honest about the strengths and weaknesses of what you are describing.

2. Medical records. We obtain your full records and construct a clear timeline of events.

3. Expert analysis. We commission reports from independent medical specialists who review your records and — where necessary — examine you in person. Their opinion addresses both breach of duty and causation.

4. Valuing the claim. Once we understand the expert’s view on liability and your future medical needs, we calculate the full value of your claim.

5. Formal notification. We send a Letter of Claim to the defendant. For NHS claims, this goes to NHS Resolution. For private care, it goes to the provider’s insurer.

6. Settlement or court. The majority of medical negligence cases settle through negotiation once both sides have reviewed the expert evidence. If the defendant denies liability or makes an inadequate offer, we pursue the claim through the courts.

Time Limits

You generally have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or from when you first became aware that negligence had caused your harm, to bring a claim.

Exceptions:

• Children — three years from their 18th birthday (so until age 21)
• People lacking mental capacity — no time limit while the incapacity continues

Even if you are approaching the time limit, it is worth contacting us. Some extensions apply, and we can advise you quickly.

No Win, No Fee for Lithuanian Clients

Medical negligence claims require upfront expenditure on expert reports, medical records and legal work — costs that most people cannot afford independently. No Win, No Fee removes this barrier:

• No costs to start your claim
• No legal fees if the claim fails
• A success fee deducted from your compensation — agreed upfront, capped by law
• After the Event insurance to cover disbursements and the defendant’s costs where applicable

Our Lithuanian solicitors explain all terms before you commit to anything.

Confirmed by Independent Legal Experts

A glimpse of what leading directories such as Chambers UK and Legal 500 say about our Medical Negligence lawyers:

“Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.” – Chambers UK

“Osbornes handles a wide range of high-value and complex clinical negligence cases, with particular expertise in birth injury, delayed cancer diagnosis, spinal injury, and fatal claims.”
– Legal 500

“Osbornes Law offers experience in obstetric and fatal cases as well as niche cauda equina cases.” – Chambers UK

“The team has excellent leadership and provide an above and beyond service for their clients.”
– Legal 500

Stay Connected With Our Lithuanian Team

Follow our Lithuanian team on Facebook to stay up to date: @TeisinesPaslaugosLietuviamsJungtinejeKaralysteje

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim if I work for the NHS? Yes. Being employed by the NHS does not prevent you from bringing a claim as a patient. Your rights as a patient are completely separate from your employment. We treat NHS worker clients with the same confidentiality and independence as any other client.

What if I signed a consent form before treatment? Signing a consent form does not prevent a negligence claim. The law requires that patients be informed of all material risks — not just that they sign a form. If the consent process was inadequate, or if the risks were not properly explained (especially in the absence of an interpreter), this may form part of your claim.

How do I start a claim if I am no longer living in the UK? We represent Lithuanian clients who have since returned to Lithuania or moved elsewhere. The process is handled remotely by phone and video call, and the claim relates to treatment received in England or Wales, not your current location.

Will I have to go to court? Most medical negligence claims settle before trial. However, if the defendant refuses to accept responsibility, we prepare the case fully and represent you in court. We brief you thoroughly in advance if this becomes necessary.

Can I make a claim on behalf of a family member? Yes. You may be able to bring a claim on behalf of a child, a relative who lacks capacity, or a family member who died as a result of negligent treatment. Contact us to discuss the specific circumstances.