Never Events

We specialise in claiming compensation for Never Events on a no win, no fee basis. To find out if you could be entitled to compensation call our FREE legal helpline on 0333 888 0412 or email us at [email protected]

What is a Never Event?

Performing surgery on the wrong part of the body, leaving behind foreign objects following a procedure, giving a patient an overdose are all known as “Never Events”. These are events which, as the term suggests, should never happen. However, in our experience they occur far more frequently than they should.

According to NHS England, Never Events are “serious incidents that are entirely preventable”. They have the potential to cause serious harm or even the death of a patient.

There is an established system of national guidance and safety recommendations in place to prevent these events from occurring. However, as recently highlighted by The Telegraph, instances of Never Events have been increasing year-on-year, with 407 such events having been recorded by NHS England between April 2021 and March 2022.

Types of “Never Event”

NHS Improvement identifies a list of incidences which are considered to be a “Never Event“. The identified incidences are set out in four key sections:

  • Surgical: including wrong site surgery, wrong implant prosthesis and retained foreign objects, including needles, guide wires, swabs and surgical instruments.
  • Medication: including mis-selection of medication, administration of medication by the wrong route, overdose of insulin, overdose of methotrexate in non-cancerous patients, and mis-selection of high-strength midazolam during conscious sedation.
  • Mental Health: failure to install functional collapsible shower or curtain rails.
  • General: including falls from poorly restricted windows, entrapment in bed rails, transfusion of ABO incompatible blood payments, misplaced naso or oro-gastric tubes, scalding and the unintentional connection of the patient requiring oxygen to an air flow metre.

NHS requirements following a Never Event

Under the NHS England Never Event policy and framework, there are several requirements to be complied with following identification of a Never Event:

  • A full investigation under the serious incident framework;
  • Internal reporting on the Strategic Executive Information System (StEIS);
  • Analysis of the occurrence by organisational leaders including identifying and ensuring actions are taken to reduce the risk of recurrence; and
  • Identification of the Never Events in the commissioners annual report

Can I claim compensation for a Never Event?

You can claim compensation if you have been the victim of a Never Event where you have suffered injury as a result.

How we can help you

We are frequently contacted by patients who want to pursue a compensation claim for a Never Event that has left them injured. In the majority of these cases we are able to assist clients on a no win, no fee basis.

Getting in touch for an initial case assessment is the first step. We may need to review your medical records, along with any complaint correspondence or a ‘serious incident report’ if you have been provided one by the hospital. Even if the incident is not categorised as a “Never Event”, we may still be able to help you pursue a claim if you have suffered an injury, or at least point you in the right direction.

If your injury is of a personal nature, we have both male and female lawyers available should you wish to specify a preference and we can assure you of a professional and sympathetic approach.

Our track record of success

Below are some recent Never Event cases we have successfully settled for our clients:

  • Retained swab following a routine gynaecological procedure resulting in significant pain discomfort and infection and a further avoidable procedure.
  • Retained urinary stenting causing incontinence, pain and discomfort and recurrent urinary tract infections and a further avoidable procedure.
  • Swallowed dental drill pieces during routine dental procedures causing abdominal pain and discomfort and, in a separate case injury to the bowel exacerbating a pre-existing condition.
  • Retained broken needle during surgery resulting in pain and discomfort.
  • Bedrail entrapment resulting in a fractured leg of an elderly patient.

So, if you think you have a potential claim then simply call our FREE legal helpline on 0333 888 0412 or send brief details of your case to us at [email protected]

Never Events

Free Consultation - Never Events

Get your free consultation by:

  1. Phoning our confidential helpline on freephone 0333 888 0412
  2. Sending details of your case to [email protected]
  3. Completing our online form:

How to Start Your Claim - Never Events

Starting your medical negligence claim could not be simpler.

All you have to do is contact our friendly team for a free consultation. We will then walk you through the process. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

  1. We will assess the legal merits of your case, and tell you if we can assist.
  2. We will explain how No Win, No Fee funding works.
  3. When you are ready to go ahead, we will begin preparing your case.

What our clients say about us

We have over 1,200 reviews and an overall five-star rating on the independent legal review website, ReviewSolicitors.

Here is just a short selection of some of the reviews that our clients have left for our clinical negligence team:

Maddy Lawrence

“With the premature death of our eldest daughter, as it turned out, by clinical negligence, we were facing a very difficult journey both in proving fault and keeping heart and soul together. That we were able to, in terms of the fault element, was down to our professional legal team. They provided clear, calm and compassionate advice which got us through a horrendous inquest and subsequent legal maneuverers. They, in short, were magnificent and we are extremely grateful that we had them on our side.”

Great firm!

“I had an experience with Oliver Thorne who was nothing but helpful with settling my claim. He was very patient and professional as well as making sure I was happy and content throughout the whole process! Would highly recommend him if you’re looking for a solicitor!”

Compassionate, thorough, and outstanding legal support thus far

”Jade was incredibly friendly, taking the time to ask all the right questions and thoroughly investigate our case. Unlike previous solicitors, who dismissed us, Jade and the team at Slee Blackwell delved deeper and gave us renewed hope. We are extremely grateful for the dedication and professionalism in fighting for us. I would recommend Slee Blackwell to anyone in need of legal assistance.”

Mesh claim

“I cannot thank the team enough there understanding and empathy and the knowledge is outstanding. Caroline has been supportive every step of the way, she has informed me and kept me updated how the claim has progressed she has also had great understanding around my mental health and the physical damage I have occurred. I cannot thank the team enough. The team made this experience easier for me to deal with my emotional distress and pain.”

Thank you

“On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank you for your guidance, professionalism, humanity and kindness you have shown us all throughout this process. You have explained everything to us in clear and concise terms throughout and we are extremely grateful. We would have no hesitation recommending you and using your services in future. Thank you.”

Exceptional Service

“I have received expert advice throughout my case, the attention to detail is second to none. Their professional outlook and relatability means that I always recommend the firm. When I was unclear of any information or possible outcomes they took the time to speak with me on a personal level, confirming our conversation through email, I feel supported and understood and most of all they are empathetic, something that is often missing from large firms.”

Friendly, professional, knowledgeable.

“Oliver assisted me in the aftermath of my father’s sudden death in hospital. He helped me to draught my initial letter of complaint to the health authority, represented me and my mother at the inquest and ultimately succeeded in bringing a successful claim. I always felt I could approach Oliver with any questions and he would explain the legal processes in an understandable way. I would not hesitate to recommend him should anyone find themselves in a similar unfortunate position.”

Excellent solicitor

“I cannot recommend this firm highly enough and especially Caroline who is professional approachable and thorough, she works tirelessly and is a real credit to the firm, you are not made to feel like just a number as with other firms, it’s a pleasure to have such an excellent solicitor to represent you when you have gone through so much she is so understanding and knowledgeable.”

10 Reasons to Choose Our Team

  1. We are specialist clinical negligence solicitors who are recommended by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners legal guides.
  2. We offer a nationwide service.
  3. We have a five-star ranking on the independent legal review platform, ReviewSolicitors.
  4. Team leader Oliver Thorne is an accredited AvMA panel lawyer.
  5. We have been awarded Lexcel accreditation by the Law Society for excellence in client care.
  6. We offer a sympathetic, understanding and refreshingly jargon-free approach.
  7. We believe that clients should be treated as valued individuals, not a number or just another problem to be solved.
  8. We have close links with independent medical professionals, and can therefore ensure we get the best possible expert input for your claim.
  9. We operate a FREE medical negligence helpline which you can call on 0333 888 0412 for a free, no obligation consultation and case assessment. You can also contact our helpline by email at [email protected].
  10. We fund cases on a no win – no fee basis, so worries about legal costs should not put you off seeking justice.

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