NHS negligence is the substandard level of care performed by healthcare professionals within the NHS, resulting in patients suffering avoidable and unnecessary harm. Such conduct often gives rise to medical negligence claims from which patients are awarded compensation.
If you have suffered from such conduct, you may wonder how much compensation for NHS negligence is? Well, the excellent medical negligence solicitors on our panel can use their specialist skills to determine this and help you claim it.
Key Takeaways
- Between 2024 and 2025, 14,428 NHS negligence claims arose that were reported in the NHS Resolution annual report. This was an increase of 644 from the previous year.
- All medical professionals within the NHS, as well as private providers, owe their patients a duty of care. If they commit a negligent act, breaching this duty patients may claim for any harm they suffered.
- There is a 3-year time limit to starting a medical negligence claim. This begins on either the date the negligence occurred or the date you received knowledge of it.
- It is important to obtain evidence to establish how a medical professional was negligent with their treatment, such as medical reports, photographs and test results.
- Medical negligence can significantly impact your life in a number of ways, but our panel of solicitors can help claim compensation for your suffering on a No Win No Fee basis.
If you would like to start a compensation claim today, please contact our friendly advisors by:
- Giving them a call on 0800 408 7826 and explaining the circumstances of your NHS negligence
- Submitting a free enquiry online and requesting a call back using our contact us form
- Accessing our live chat to privately discuss your claim with one of our helpful advisors
Jump To A Section
- How Much Has The NHS Paid Out In Negligence Compensation?
- How Much Compensation For NHS Negligence Could I Get?
- What Factors Will Influence The Amount Of NHS Compensation I Get?
- Get Help With Your Claim From How Much Compensation
- No Win No Fee NHS Compensation Claims
- More Information
How Much Has The NHS Paid Out In Negligence Compensation?
In 2024-2025, NHS Resolution’s Supplementary Annuals reported that a total of £2,279,114,229 was awarded to patients in compensation for NHS negligence.
To break this down, the following headings are categorised into different medical areas. Under each one, you can see how much compensation for NHS negligence was paid out to patients who suffered avoidable harm due while under the care of such professionals.
Obstetrics (Cerebral Palsy Or Brain Damage)
As per the NHS statistics, £985,894,456 was paid out to patients who suffered from obstetric negligence resulting in cerebral palsy or brain damage between 2024-2025. Obstetrics is health care provided to those who are pregnant or experiencing child birth.
Obstetrics (Other)
NHS statistics show that £110,110,103 was paid out in 2024-2025 to patients who suffered from other forms of obstetric negligence. Some examples of this include nerve damage and infections.
Paediatrics
Children under the age of 18 who suffered paediatric negligence within 2024-2025 were awarded £173,389,615 in compensation according to NHS Resolution.
Emergency Medicine
Patients who suffered avoidable harm after receiving emergency medicine in 2024-2025 were awarded £168,942,556 in compensation, as per NHS Resolution. Harm caused by emergency medicine is often due to medication errors or delayed treatment.
Orthopaedic Surgery
In 2024-2025, £109,916,098 was awarded to patients who claimed compensation for harm caused by orthopaedic surgery negligence, according to NHS Resolution. This practice treats patients suffering from musculoskeletal trauma.
General Surgery
Patients who suffered avoidable harm due to general surgery negligence in 2024-2025, were awarded £63,256,078 in compensation, as per the NHS Resolution report. General surgery is often completed on a patient’s abdominal organs.
Neurosurgery
NHS Resolution shows that £53,981,679 in compensation was awarded to claimants who suffered from neurosurgery negligence between 2024-2025. Neurosurgery is often completed on patients who suffer from head and brain injuries.
General Medicine
Those who had claims settled in 2024-2025 for general medicine negligence were awarded £42,002,492 in compensation as per NHS Resolution. General medicine is a practice often completed on patients who suffer from complex illnesses that affect their organs.
Gynaecology
Gynaecology patients were awarded £34,119,324 in 2024-2025 according to NHS Resolution. Gynaecologists perform treatment, tests and surgeries on women suffering from reproductive health conditions.
Radiology
According to NHS Resolution, £43,847,548 was awarded in compensation to patients who suffered avoidable harm due to radiology negligence. Radiologists perform scans on patients such as MRI scans and X-rays.
Neurology
Patients who suffered neurology negligence were awarded £26,821,543 in compensation. Neurology is a medical branch that treats patients suffering from brain, spinal cord and nerve damage.
Psychiatry And Mental Health
In 2024-2025, £31,256,233 was awarded to patients receiving psychiatric care who suffered from NHS negligence. Those suffering from psychological conditions such as anxiety, PTSD and depression all receive psychiatric care.
Ophthalmology
Statistics from the NHS show that £21,612,482 in compensation was awarded to claimants in 2024-2025 who suffered from ophthalmology negligence. Those receiving treatment from ophthalmologists suffer from conditions affecting their eyes and vision.
Cardiology
According to NHS Resolution, £18,870,240 was paid out in compensation to patients who suffered from cardiology negligence in 2024-2025. Patients who visit cardiologists are often receiving treatment for cardiovascular conditions such as heart failure.
Ambulance And Paramedics
NHS Resolution shows that the amount of compensation paid to claimants who suffered from ambulance and paramedic negligence in 2024-2025 was £18,196,051. This compensation was paid to those who suffered harm due to the conduct of paramedics or while inside ambulances.
Gastroenterology
In 2024-2025, £25,616,305 was paid in compensation to patients who suffered from gastroenterology negligence, according to NHS Resolution. Gastroenterology conditions affect a patient’s digestive system.
Urology
According to NHS Resolution, £16,718,543 was paid to claimants who suffered from urology negligence in 2024-2025. Urologists treat patients suffering from urinary tract conditions.
Other
As per the NHS Resolution, £293,914,764 was paid out in compensation to claimants who suffered avoidable harm following any other form of avoidable harm caused by NHS negligence.
The figures above are the total between all claimants in a given medical field between the 1st of April 2024 and the 31st of March 2025. If you have any questions regarding how much compensation for NHS negligence, contact our advisors. They can give you a free estimate of what your medical negligence claim could be worth.
How Much Compensation For NHS Negligence Could I Get?
The amount of compensation you may be awarded for a successful NHS negligence claim depends on the extent of your suffering and whether this led you to incur financial losses. As such, compensation awards tend to vary in each case.
Compensation for any physical or psychological harm caused by NHS negligence is calculated under the head of claim general damages. The solicitor appointed to your claim will calculate this figure by reviewing an independent medical assessor’s report of your harm and compensation guidelines created by the Judicial College (JCG).
The table below contains figures from the JCG of suggested compensation figures for different kinds of harm caused by NHS negligence. When reading this, please bear in mind that the figures are not guaranteed and will be calculated based on the specific harm you suffered. Also, the top figure is not from the JCG.
| Injuries/Illnesses | Compensation Guideline Figure | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries and Significant Financial Losses | Up to £1 million plus | This figure is suggested for multiple injuries, all of a serious nature, that result in significant financial losses. |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | £344,150 to £493,000 | This is considered for those suffering from very severe brain damage with little or no responses to the environment. |
| Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 | These brackets are considered by the person’s degree of pain and independence, their life expectancy and age and whether it caused depression and caused a sexual impairment. |
| Severe Back Injuries (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Injuries to the spinal cord and never roots. This is also associated with severe pain, incomplete paralysis and impaired, bowel, bladder and sexual function. |
| Bowel Injuries (b) | Up to £183,190 | Those who suffer from the total loss of the natural functioning of their bowel and is dependent on a colostomy bag. Their age is also taken into account. |
| Severe (i) Neck Injuries | In the region of £181,020 | Associated with incomplete paraplegia, or require the person to wear a 24 hour neck collar. The person also has little to no movement in their neck and suffers from intractable headaches that are severe. |
| Above-Knee Amputation of One Leg | £127,930 to £167,760 | Amount is determined by the level of the person's amputation and age, whether they experience phantom pains, stump problems, psychological harm, back ache and their risk of developing osteoarthritis in their remaining limbs. |
| Loss of One Arm (i) | Not Less Than £167,380 | Such brackets are considered for those who sustained an amputation of one of their arms from the shoulder. |
| Severe Knee Injuries (ii) | £63,610 to £85,100 | Leg fractures that extend into the joint of causing permanent pain, limiting their movement making them prone to osteoarthritis diagnosis and at risk of arthroplasty. |
| Severe Shoulder Injuries | £23,430 to £58,610 | Such brackets are considered for neck injuries that impact their brachial plexus causing significant disability. |
If you would like more examples of how much NHS negligence compensation you may receive, please ask our advisors.
What Factors Will Influence The Amount Of NHS Compensation I Get?
There are a number of factors that may determine how much NHS compensation you are awarded at the end of the claims process. The following sections elaborate on these.
Claiming Special Damages For NHS Negligence
Under the head of claim special damages, you may be awarded compensation for any momentary losses you incurred due to the harm you suffered.
Some examples of financial losses that are often compensated under such claims include:
- Lost wages for those who were unable to work due to their suffering
- Lost work benefits including holiday entitlement and promotions
- Medical costs for prescriptions or private health care
- Costs for special equipment such as walking aids and personal care products
- Home modification costs such as ramps, stairlifts or bathroom reconstruction
- Child care costs if you paid for additional support with your children
- Travel costs for paying to go to and from appointments
If you are claiming special damages, it may benefit you to keep a record of any losses you incurred. This may include medical bills, pay slips, receipts or invoices.
Could I Receive Interim Payments?
Yes, you could. If you are required to pay any costs, such as the mortgage, while waiting for your settlement, you may be eligible to receive an interim payment if you do not have sufficient funds to cover these expenses.
While compensation is still being calculated but the claim looks likely to settle in your favour, interim payments could help you pay for any costs associated with your recovery. However, they must be approved by a court and the figure you receive will be taken from your overall compensation award.
If you would like to apply for an interim payment, our panel of solicitors may help you with this.
For more information regarding the factors that may determine your compensation pay-out, please contact our advisors.
Get Help With Your Claim From How Much Compensation
Our specialist panel of medical negligence solicitors at How Much Compensation understand how significantly your life may have been affected by NHS negligence. Therefore, they want to put their legal skills into practice to help you claim compensation and get your life back on track.
Our panel of solicitors have endured endless training to become specialists in this field and have gained decades of combined experience in supporting claimants just like you. As such, they may help you claim NHS negligence compensation by:
- Walking you through every stage of the claims process
- Answering all of your questions and providing specialist advice
- Helping you collect evidence and building your claim
- Helping you claim the highest possible compensation figure
- Setting you up with an independent medical assessment
- Helping you gain access to mental health services
- Offering their services on a No Win No Fee basis
- Negotiating settlements with third parties on your behalf
At How Much Compensation, we recognise the distress you may be experiencing at this time. As such, our panel of solicitors will utilise their skills and resources to support you and try to help you receive the compensation you deserve whilst providing an excellent service.
No Win No Fee NHS Compensation Claims
At How Much Compensation, you may claim NHS negligence compensation with our excellent panel of solicitors on a No Win No Fee basis. You have most likely heard of such agreements before. However, here is a breakdown of what this means and why you may benefit from it.
We recognise that you may have some concerns about seeking legal representation when claiming against the NHS, which is understandable. However, our panel of solicitors want to support you in the best way they can. As such, they offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
This means that you will not pay for their solicitor’s fees:
- Upfront.
- As the claim progresses.
- If your claim is unsuccessful.
However, if your claim proves successful and you are awarded compensation, they will take a success fee from this. The success fee is a percentage of your compensation and will limited by the law.
Contact Our Team Today
If you would like to start a claim for NHS negligence compensation or learn more about the claims process, please contact our friendly advisors for free by:
- Giving them a call on 0800 408 7826 to thoroughly discuss the circumstances of your claim
- Submitting a free enquiry using our contact us form to request a call back from one of our human advisors
- Accessing our live chat with one of our advisors to find out if you are eligible to start a claim
More Information
If you would like to receive more information regarding medical negligence claims, please read the following guides.
- A guide discussing misdiagnosis compensation
- Learn about compensation for pressure sores
- Here is access to our compensation calculator
References
- Here is some advice for claimants, NHS.UK
- Information regarding NHS complaints, NHS.UK
- Find out if you are eligible for statutory sick pay, GOV.UK
We appreciate you reading our guide, which explains how much compensation for NHS negligence is and how you may claim it with the support of our excellent panel of solicitors.
