03/09/2026
When a child has been harmed following medical treatment, poor care alone isn't enough to establish a negligence claim.
Several important questions need to be considered:
🔹Was there a duty of care?
This will normally exist where a child has been treated by an NHS or private healthcare professional.
🔹Did the treatment fall below an acceptable standard?
The care must have fallen below the standard expected of a reasonably competent healthcare professional.
🔹Did that failure cause harm?
It must be shown that the breach caused the injury or materially worsened the child's outcome.
🔹What harm resulted?
This could include physical injury, prolonged illness, avoidable surgery, developmental difficulties, disability or psychological harm.
Independent medical evidence is often required, particularly where a child has an underlying condition or complex medical history.
🔗 Learn more about child medical negligence claims: https://bit.ly/4eWYY4O
