Professional Negligence Compensation
What is professional negligence?
When you hire a professional, you trust that they have the qualifications, skills and abilities necessary to carry out the work you’re paying for to an acceptable standard. So it can come as a shock when you end up losing out because of the negligence of someone you thought you could rely on.
Professional negligence can lead to devastating consequences, which can include loss of income or profit, wasted expenditure, loss of opportunities, loss of time, physical damage and even injury. If you have suffered as a result of a professional’s incompetence, you may feel like you have no choice but to tolerate it. This is not the case. If you have been disadvantaged because a professional has failed in their duty to you, you may be entitled to professional negligence compensation.
Compare professional negligence solicitors today to start your claim.
What is professional negligence?
Professional negligence happens when a professional fails to carry out their responsibilities to an acceptable standard. It can also take place when a professional breaches their duty of care towards their client. Financial loss, physical damage or injury occurs as a result. Examples include an accountant providing incorrect tax advice resulting in you losing money, a hairdresser using chemicals they have not been adequately trained to use leaving you with chemical burns, or a structural engineer failing to follow industry standards on a construction project leading to work having to be redone and financial loss. There are many more situations in which professional negligence can occur. Here are some typical signs:
- Not completing a project to the agreed deadline, brief or standard
- Failing to submit official documents or claims on time
- Negligent drafting of official documents
- Giving poor professional advice
- Losing data or documents
- Breaching copyright or confidentiality
It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list. To find out if a situation you have been involved in meets the definition of professional negligence, you should seek advice from a specialist solicitor.
Am I entitled to make a professional negligence claim?
If you believe that a professional has breached a duty of care towards you and this has led to you being disadvantaged, you may be entitled to compensation for professional negligence. However, it’s important to understand that you must be able to demonstrate that the professional was negligent and that this negligence resulted in a loss for you. A solicitor with experience in this area will be able to help you to make your case.
Usually, you can make a claim for professional negligence up to six years after the issue has occurred. However, there are cases where this can be extended. This typically happens when the negligence doesn’t become apparent until a later date.
When making any professional negligence, personal injury or other type of compensation claim, time is of the essence. The sooner you seek legal advice and start your claim, the more likely you are to be successful so it’s advisable to act without delay.
How much compensation will I be awarded?
Professional negligence compensation claims can vary widely in terms of payouts. It all depends on the loss that was suffered. In some cases, it is clear to see that professional incompetence led to the direct loss of a certain sum of money. For example, if a financial advisor recommended that you invest in unsuitable financial products, the amount of money that you invested would be taken into account. However, valuing lost opportunities can be a more complex task.
With a professional negligence or personal injury solicitor at your side, you should be able to get the maximum amount of compensation you are owed. If you have suffered a personal injury as a result of professional negligence, you can get a rough idea of how much you could be due using our claims calculator
Find and compare professional negligence solicitors
Making a professional negligence claim can seem daunting, and you may find it difficult to put your trust in a solicitor or other professional once you’ve experienced this kind of ordeal. However, it’s important to remember the vast majority of solicitors act competently and with your best interests at heart.
Give yourself the best chance of making a successful claim for compensation by enlisting the help of a lawyer with expertise in this area. Find the solicitor for you today using our quick, easy-to-use comparison tool.
The right solicitor will make taking legal action against a professional as straightforward and stress-free as possible. They will guide you through the process and help you to get the compensation you deserve, meaning you can cover any financial losses and move forward.