Cardiac claims

The time a claim takes to settle depends on several factors. These include whether your condition has stabilised or is still developing, the complexity of the medical evidence, and how the other party responds to the claim.

We will need access to your medical records and will obtain reports from independent cardiac experts to establish whether the care you received fell below the required standard. If we can show that it did, we will gather further expert evidence about your current condition, future health, and the support you are likely to need.

Your personal circumstances, including your age and employment situation, will also affect how many expert reports are needed and how long it takes to account properly for lost earnings and future care costs.

If the claim is strongly disputed, it can take longer to resolve. In rare cases, matters may proceed to trial. We always aim to settle your claim as efficiently as possible, but we will never rush a resolution at the expense of the outcome you deserve.

To bring a cardiac negligence claim, we need to show two things. First, we must prove the care you received fell below the standard a reasonably competent healthcare professional should have provided. This is known as a breach of duty. 

Second, we need to demonstrate that this breach caused you harm that you would not otherwise have suffered. Examples of a breach of duty in cardiac care include: 

• A GP failing to recognise signs of heart disease or not referring you for further investigation
• A missed or delayed diagnosis of a heart attack, arrhythmia, or congenital heart defect
• Avoidable errors or unnecessary surgery by a cardiac surgeon

We then need to show, on the balance of probabilities (meaning it’s more likely than not) that those failures directly caused your injury or loss. Cardiac and cardiovascular claims are specialist and complex. The first step is to speak to an experienced medical negligence solicitor who can review your situation and advise you on whether a claim is realistic.

The most important evidence in a cardiac negligence claim is your medical records. These allow independent experts to review the care you received at every stage and identify whether any failures occurred.

We will obtain these records on your behalf. We may instruct specialist cardiac experts, who have no connection to the hospital or practice involved, to advise on whether your care met the required standard. If necessary, we will also instruct experts to assess your current condition and advise on your future care needs.

You do not need to gather evidence yourself; we will manage this process for you.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment, or from the date you first became aware (or should reasonably have become aware) that negligence may have caused your harm, to start a claim.

There are some exceptions to this rule, for example, where the person affected lacks mental capacity, or in cases involving children. Whatever your circumstances, it’s important to seek advice as soon as possible. Contact us, and we’ll advise you on the time limits that apply to your situation.

Where cardiac negligence has contributed to the death of a loved one, a fatal medical negligence claim may be possible. This can be brought by the estate of the deceased or, in some cases, by close family members.

We understand how painful it is to pursue a legal claim while grieving. Our team will handle every part of the process with sensitivity and care, and we will ensure you understand your options clearly before proceeding.

The question of fault in a cardiac negligence claim relates to the healthcare professionals involved, not to your own behaviour as a patient. If you did not follow medical advice, this may be considered in certain circumstances, but it does not automatically prevent you from making a claim.

If you are unsure whether something you did or did not do affects your position, speak to us. Our team can advise you honestly.

From your first conversation with us, we will focus on making the process feel as clear and manageable as possible. We will explain every stage in plain language, keep you updated regularly, and make sure you always know what is happening and what comes next.

Where appropriate, we will also look to secure interim payments during the claim to help cover immediate costs. These payments can be used to fund private treatment, medication, or care at home, so you are not left waiting until settlement to access the support you need.