Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Emergency Department clinical negligence: investigating and litigating A&E claims—standards, common breaches, diagnosis delays, communication/record-keeping failures, complicating factors, and expert and witness evidence

Published by a LexisNexis PI & Clinical Negligence expert

Practice notes

Clinical negligence claims involving A&E treatment

An introduction to accident and emergency (A&E) medicine

Accident and emergency medicine is widely seen as the NHS’s frontline, where clinicians provide rapid assessment and care for people with severe, life‑threatening illness or injury. This speciality calls for extensive knowledge and practical ability to prevent, diagnose and manage acute, urgent problems across all ages, often complicated by concurrent or pre‑existing conditions. Patients frequently present with minimal background details, relying largely on information gathered from conversation, which makes diagnosis particularly demanding. The central challenge is to deliver swift, appropriate care in those first critical hours. Emergency physicians must possess the expertise to form a working diagnosis, start treatment immediately and, when needed, refer patients to the right specialists. Many develop subspecialist interests that add depth to emergency care, such as paediatric emergencies, acute medical emergencies and trauma. The breadth of cover required in A&E medicine is reflected in the personnel...

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Marcus Weatherby

Pattinson Brewer

Marcus is a partner at Pattinson and Brewer Solicitors specialising in serious injury work for Claimants. He has considerable experience acting in all types of personal injury work including clinical negligence, major catastrophic injury/disability, and notably spinal injuries. He settled a spinal case in 2012 for £4.1 million. Marcus has a particular interest in industrial disease claims, acting for victims of asbestosis and mesothelioma. Reported Court of Appeal cases include Anderson v Newham College of Education on contributory negligence....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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