Recently, the UK’s first ever parliamentary inquiry into birth trauma called for an overhaul of maternity and postnatal care after finding poor care is “all-too-frequently tolerated as normal.”

Conservative MP, Theo Clarke and Labour MP, Rosie Duffield co-chaired the inquiry which heard harrowing evidence from more than 1,300 women in May, 2024. 

Some said they were left in blood-soaked sheets while others said their children had suffered life-changing injuries due to medical negligence. 

The inquiry’s report called for a new maternity commissioner who would report directly to the prime minister, along with ensuring safe levels of staffing. 

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins said the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) will commission new research into the economic impact of birth trauma.

But she added that there is “much work to do to deliver on the findings of the report.”

The inquiry prompted LegalExpert’s new investigation into childbirth and maternity negligence in the NHS.

According to NHS Resolution, “maternity claims represent the highest value and second highest number of clinical negligence claims.” 

Which is why it is perhaps surprising that Victoria Atkins concluded her response to the birth trauma inquiry with: “this is the first time in the NHS’s 75-year history that I, as the Secretary of State, but also the chief executive of NHS England, are both mums.” 

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If you’d like to speak with us to get free legal advice on your case, we’re all too happy to help. Our freephone helpline is open 24 hours a day and you can also speak to us via our live chat or WhatsApp chat.

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How We Conducted Research Into Childbirth And Maternity Care Negligence

To gain a true insight in the levels of negligence in childbirth and maternity care in the NHS, LegalExpert submitted Freedom of Information Requests to NHS Resolution – which is the legal body of the NHS. 

We asked for the number of claims lodged against NHS Trusts for birth injuries as a result of medical malpractice in the last five years as well as the number of incidents reported. We asked that these be broken down by NHS Trust, Cause of Negligence and Primary Injury caused. We also requested the number and cost of such claims.

Our findings were broken down into three categories. The first, focusing on the childbirth injuries sustained. The second, focused on the NHS Trusts most accused of childbirth and maternity negligence and the third on the most common types of negligence allegations made against the NHS. 

Claims of Injuries Caused by Childbirth and Maternity Negligence

Brain Damage and Cerebral Palsy childbirth clinical negligence claims have cost the NHS £1.6bn in compensation payouts in the last five years. 

The NHS has paid out more than £600 million for brain damage caused by medical negligence during childbirth and a further £980 million for Cerebral Palsy claims.

Obstetrics is the branch of medicine and surgery that deals with childbirth and maternity. 

Claims of negligence within the branch include errors that can be caused by healthcare professionals during childbirth. 

A total of 4,805 such claims have been lodged against the NHS since 2019, costing a combined total of more than £2bn in damages payouts alone – this does not include legal costs.

Nearly 500 claims and incidents of brain damage have been reported to NHS Resolution, the legal body of the health service, since 2019. A further 264 medical negligence claims and incidents were also raised specifically relating to cerebral palsy.

Traumatic births can lead to the baby sustaining a brain injury, most often caused by oxygen deprivation, which could cause life-changing conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Brain damage occurs when some of the brain cells become damaged or destroyed during childbirth.

This can happen in a number of situations including; oxygen deprivation to the neonatal brain, a physical head injury during birth caused by excessive force from forceps or by the head becoming stuck in the birth canal. 

In mild cases of brain damage, the child may eventually recover with little or no lasting effects. However, severe brain injury can lead to devastating and lifelong disabilities such as cerebral palsy with the child typically needing treatment for the rest of their life.

Through information obtained via Freedom of Information Requests, Legal Expert revealed that 484 claims and incidents of brain injury caused by medical negligence have been reported in the last five years. 

Since 2019, the NHS has settled 181 Brain Damage Obstetric Negligence claims with compensation payouts totaling £600, 218, 446. 

Additionally, the Health Service has settled 254 Cerebral Palsy claims with damages amounting to an eye-watering £980,035,20.

In the same time period, 29 claims of ‘wrongful birth’ have been settled by the NHS for a total of £126,551,211. 

Allegations of ‘wrongful birth’ are made by the parents of a child born with a birth defect who feel they were deprived of the opportunity to make an informed decision about whether to avoid or terminate a pregnancy. 

Childbirth and Maternity Clinical Negligence Claims by Trust and Damages Payout

See results in your local trust below.

Jump to: 

• East of England
• South East
• Midlands
• North West
• North East and Yorkshire
• South East
• South West
• London

East of England

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has paid out £63 million in childbirth and maternity medical negligence claims in the last five years – more than any other NHS provider.

The eye-watering sum is the amount of compensation alone the trust has forked out for a total of 78 claims lodged against it since 2019.

What’s more, it had the second highest number of childbirth and maternity clinical negligence lodged against it, with 124 such claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution

Obstetric figures reveal damages pay-outs at the Essex Trust totaling £63,163,013 between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

The Trust runs three major hospitals across the county; Southend University Hospital, Broomfield Hospital and Basildon University Hospital. 

As recently as December 2023, the Trust agreed a settlement with a mum who claimed her child suffered brain damage around the time of her birth at Southend University Hospital 20 years ago. 

Clinical negligence claims and incidents across all NHS Trusts in the last five years include 484 relating to babies with brain damage, 471 stillbirths and 342 mother or baby deaths. 

Of those claims settled, £980 million was spent on compensation for celebral palsy related claims and a further £600 million was paid out for claims pertaining to brain damage caused by obstetric negligence. 

The leading cause of negligence according to the claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution during this time include; Fail/delay in treatment and diagnosis as well as failure to respond to abnormal Fetal Heart Rate. 

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes NHS Trusts

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 49

No. of claims settled: 37

Total Damages Paid: £11,448,510

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 42

No. of claims settled: 29

Total Damages Paid: £8,468,903

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trusts

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 14

Total Damages Paid: £22,032,180

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 57

No. of claims settled: 39

Total Damages Paid: £10,602,823

Norfolk & Waveney NHS Trusts

Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 34

No. of claims settled: 19

Total Damages Paid: £22,830,729

James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 14

No. of claims settled: 10

Total Damages Paid: £14,218,480

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 17

No. of claims settled: 11

Total Damages Paid: £5,251,418

South East

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust has paid out £58 million in childbirth and maternity medical negligence claims in the last five years.

A total of 60 such claims have been lodged against it since 2019. It is the second highest amount of all NHS Trusts in England.

Damages pay-outs at the Sussex Trust totalled £58,027,688 between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

The Trust runs four major hospitals across the county, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Worthing Hospital, St Richard’s Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital. 

Earlier this month, the parents of a baby who died at two weeks old launched a compensation claim against the trust after a coroner ruled that failure to recognise his mother’s rare medical condition contributed to their son’s death. 

Robyn and Jonathan Davis from Steying in West Sussex say they are seeking damages for the physical and mental impact following the death of their baby, at Worthing Hospital in September 2021.

Midlands

Birmingham NHS Trusts

Birmingham Women’s and and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 67

No. of claims settled: 42

Total Damages Paid: £26,553,968

University Hospital of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 33

Total Damages Paid: £16,076,572

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £10,159,253

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £19,373,787

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 53

No. of claims settled: 38

Nottinghamshire NHS Trusts

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 42

Total Damages Paid: £24,395,703

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 12

Total Damages Paid: £23,631,122

Derbyshire Trusts

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 87

No. of claims settled: 39

Total Damages Paid: £20,661,497

Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 30

No. of claims settled: 17

Total Damages Paid: £5,337,453

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £3,167,704

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 62

No. of claims settled: 23

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £42,301,938

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 64

No. of claims settled: 41

North West

Lancashire NHS Trusts

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 34

No. of claims settled: 23

Total Damages Paid: £32,361,183

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 52

No. of claims settled: 27

Total Damages Paid: £24,561,689

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 28

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £19,445,886

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 16

No. of claims settled: 11

Total Damages Paid: £17,047,133

Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust 

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 22

No. of claims settled: 15

Total Damages Paid: £4,030,628

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £36,004,712

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 128

No. of claims settled: 84

North East and Yorkshire

North East and Cumbria NHS Trusts

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 38

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £13,102,417

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 14

No. of claims settled: 8

Total Damages Paid: £12,618,508

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 37

No. of claims settled: 13

Total Damages Paid: £6,520,064

North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 9

Total Damages Paid: £217,642

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 8

Total Damages Paid: £648,445

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 30

No. of claims settled: 22

Total Damages Paid: £1,818,899

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 20

Total Damages Paid: £7,141,767

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 44

No. of claims settled: 29

Total Damages Paid: £19,477,817

South East

Kent and Medway NHS Trusts

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 66

No. of claims settled: 36

Total Damages Paid: £14,293,484

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 28

No. of claims settled: 15

Total Damages Paid: £24,962,287

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 40

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £20,121,545

Medway NHS Foundation Trust  

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 31

No. of claims settled: 21

Total Damages Paid: £20,230,906

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £41,437,675

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 73

No. of claims settled: 50

Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire Trusts

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: 27,340,122

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 14

Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £21,836,844

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 48

No. of claims settled: 23

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £7,206,716

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 15

South West

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £35,464,791

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 36

No. of claims settled: 25

Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £1,280,855

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 24

No. of claims settled: 14

Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £6,701,662

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 26

No. of claims settled: 19

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £4,820,416

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 21

No. of claims settled: 8

Bristol NHS Trusts

North Bristol NHS Trust 

Total Damages Paid: £19,746,791

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 29

No. of claims settled: 14

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £24,132,371

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 33

No. of claims settled: 17

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £15,408,984

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 40

No. of claims settled: 23

Devon NHS Trusts

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £23,463,235

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 45

No. of claims settled: 23

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £10,297,179

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 11

No. of claims settled: 10

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £10,007,676

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 37

No. of claims settled: 20

Dorset NHS Trusts

Dorset County Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £15,709,839

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 15

No. of claims settled: 12

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £12,218,873

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 50

No. of claims settled: 37

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £20,848,067

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 38

No. of claims settled: 19

Somerset Trusts

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £8,223,845

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 23

No. of claims settled: 17

Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £8,704,088

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 18

No. of claims settled: 12

London

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £56,976,228

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 63

No. of claims settled: 52

Barts Health NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £46,932,215

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 117

No. of claims settled: 60

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Total Damages Paid: £43,962,197

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 60

No. of claims settled: 32

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust

Total Damages Paid: £39,559,774

No. of claims and incidents reported to NHS Resolution: 66

No. of claims settled: 42

 

Domestic violence and abuse is a growing concern in our society. Concerns have been raised by charities, police forces and industry professionals about an increase in domestic violence during Euro 2024.

We set out to research whether this could be an issue.

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Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist domestic violence solicitors who can help you get the compensation you deserve.

You can reach out to us in confidence today by calling us on the number above or messaging us via our live chat or WhatsApp chat

How We Conducted Our Research

The 2024 Euros is underway as England fans gear up for a summer of support for the team. But sadly, a rise in domestic abuse is expected to come along with it. 

Police forces across England have vowed to ‘Give Domestic Abuse the red card’ as the National Police Chief’s Councils warns of an anticipated rise in instances during this year’s European Football Championships.

Data from the National Centre for Domestic Violence revealed that incidents involving domestic abuse increased by 26% when England play and 38% when England lose.

The data also shows that domestic abuse increases by 11% the day after England have played dependent on the result.

Legal Expert has investigated levels of domestic violence in the past year in every policing area of the UK – including during the Qatar World Cup in November/December 2022 – and will evaluate further figures when then the Euro’s reaches completion. 

“It is an incredibly sad reality that football tournaments mean an increased risk of domestic abuse for many victims across the UK.

“Football doesn’t cause abuse but we’ve seen, over many years, offending associated with alcohol consumption, violence and other destructive behaviours exhibited by a small number of fans and the intense emotional highs and lows of a tournament, all of which can act as a catalyst for pre-existing abuse,” says Louisa Rolfe, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Domestic Abuse.

Legal Expert UK submitted Freedom of Information Requests to every UK police force to find out how many domestic abuse crimes had been reported each month between Nov 2022-Oct 2023.

We also asked for the gender of the victims, finding that the majority were female but male victim figures rose in some police force areas.

Women’s Aid Chief Executive, Farah Nazeer says: “In many ways, high-profile football competitions are a unique opportunity for us to come together and feel real unity and camaraderie as we root for our team to win. However, for those women and children living with domestic abuse, major championships can leave them vulnerable to existing abuse becoming more severe and frequent.

“It is a sad reality that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse during their lifetime and it is vital that we, across society, are aware of when these dangers might increase and be on hand to help survivors escape and hold perpetrators accountable.”

Results below are for those police figures where Domestic Abuse Crimes where at their heighest during the Qatar World Cup compared with the rest of the year.

The Results Of Our Research

Cambridgeshire

Domestic abuse crimes recorded by Cambridgeshire Police last year peaked during the Qatar World Cup.

According to Cambridgeshire Constabulary, 28 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by the force every day on average last year. 

Some 10,309 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 16% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Cambridgeshire last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

A total of 970 domestic abuse crimes were reported to Cambridgeshire Constabulary during that month, the highest figures between Nov 2022-Nov 2023.

Of the 10,309 domestic abuse crimes in Cambridgeshire last year, 68% of victims were female and 25% were males, the remaining 7% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Cambridgeshire Police. 

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 864

Dec 22 – 970

Jan 23 – 904

Feb 23 – 819

Mar 23 – 807

Apr 23 – 829

May 23 – 929

Jun 23 – 783

Jul 23 – 894

Aug 23 – 852

Sep 23 – 773

Oct 23 – 875

Merseyside

84 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Merseyside Police every day on average last year. 

Some 30,494 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 19% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside last year were in November and December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The months during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside with November and December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year.

November 2022 saw an eye-watering 2,732 domestic abuse crimes reported to Merseyside Police as well as a further 2,789 in December.

Of the 30,494 domestic abuse crimes in Merseyside last year, 73% of victims were female and 25% were male, while 2% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Merseyside Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 2,732

Dec 22 – 2,789

Jan 23 – 2,721

Feb 23 – 2,410

Mar 23 – 2,668

Apr 23 – 2,577

May 23 – 2,612

Jun 23 – 2,630

Jul 23 – 2,481

Aug 23 – 2,545

Sep 23 – 2,303

Oct 23 – 2,026

North Yorkshire

An average of 21 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by West Yorkshire Police every day last year, with a total of 7,738 cases logged in total.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crime figures in West Yorkshire between 2022/23 were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

During the Qatar World Cup there was a surge in domestic abuse crimes in North Yorkshire, with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year.

A total of 755 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by North Yorkshire that month – that’s 17% above the average for that year.

Of the 7,738 domestic abuse crimes in North Yorkshire last year, 72% of victims were female and 28% were male.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 637

Dec 22 – 755

Jan 23 – 667

Feb 23 – 585

Mar 23 – 702

Apr 23 – 614

May 23 – 673

Jun 23 – 603

Jul 23 – 698

Aug 23 – 616

Sep 23 – 594

Oct 23 – 594

Hertfordshire

An average of 32 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Hertfordshire Police every day last year. 

Some 11,549 incidents were logged in total – which accounted for 15% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crime figures in Hertfordshire between 2022/23 were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

During the Qatar World Cup there was a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Hertfordshire, with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year of 1,081.

Of the 11,549 domestic abuse crimes in Hertfordshire last year, 71% of victims were female and 26% were male.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 899

Dec 22 – 1,081

Jan 23 – 1,020

Feb 23 – 948

Mar 23 – 996

Apr 23 – 947

May 23 – 1,005

Jun 23 – 1,011

Jul 23 – 957

Aug 23 – 896

Sep 23 – 895

Oct 23 – 894

Northamptonshire

An average of 28 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Northamptonshire Police every day last year. 

Some 10,253 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 17% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire last year were in November 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire with November 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 945.

Of the 10,253 domestic abuse crimes in Northamptonshire last year, 70% of victims were female and 23% were male, while 7% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Northamptonshire Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 945

Dec 22 – 887

Jan 23 – 925

Feb 23 – 861

Mar 23 – 895

Apr 23 – 872

May 23 – 816

Jun 23 – 845

Jul 23 – 876

Aug 23 – 797

Sep 23 – 754

Oct 23 – 780

Suffolk

An average of 22 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Suffolk Police every day last year. 

Some 7,931 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 16% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 726.

Of the 7,931 domestic abuse crimes in Suffolk last year, 70% of victims were female and 26% were male, while 3% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Suffolk Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 690

Dec 22 – 726

Jan 23 – 699

Feb 23 – 635

Mar 23 – 701

Apr 23 – 664

May 23 – 625

Jun 23 – 646

Jul 23 – 651

Aug 23 – 617

Sep 23 – 654

Oct 23 – 623

Warwickshire

An average of18 domestic abuse crimes were recorded by Suffolk Police every day last year. 

Some 6,706 cases were logged in total – which accounted for 17% of all crimes recorded across the county.

The highest recorded domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire last year were in December 2022 – which is when the Qatar World Cup was underway.

The month during the Qatar World Cup saw a surge in domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire with December 2022 recording the highest figures of the year, 604.

Of the 6,706 domestic abuse crimes in Warwickshire last year, 70% of victims were female and 25% were male, while 3% of victims had a different gender definition or the gender was unknown, according to Warwickshire Police.

Figures broken down by month

Nov 22 – 558

Dec 22 – 604

Jan 23 – 499

Feb 23 – 555

Mar 23 – 587

Apr 23 – 579

May 23 – 571

Jun 23 – 551

Jul 23 – 586

Aug 23 – 558

Sep 23 – 520

Oct 23 – 538

There have been some significant criminal cases in recent years involving taxi drivers. It prompted us to conduct some research into the crimes and offences committed by drivers.

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If you’ve been harmed by a taxi driver, either in an assault or sexual offence including rape, to being harmed as a passenger due to a taxi driver’s drunk driving, Legal Expert can help.

We’re specialists in criminal injury claims and can help with all types of cases. If you’d like a free eligibility check, then get in touch with us for free today.

How We Conducted Our Research

There has been a multitude of taxi drivers across the UK who have recently been convicted for criminal offences including sexual assault, drink-driving, possession of drugs, threats to kill and rape. 

The news has sparked an influx of inquiries to LegalExpert about how to pursue legal action if you have been the victim of a crime in a taxi or at the hands of a taxi driver.

As a taxi passenger, there is a level of safety and security expected to be upheld – particularly when travelling alone or in vulnerable circumstances. 

However, the laws and guidelines by which taxi driver licences are issued in the UK have long been shrouded in controversy with many advocating for tighter regulations around licensing.

The government issued ‘Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards’ in 2020 for the first time, in an effort to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.

In most UK areas, licences for taxis and private hire vehicles – or minicabs – are issued by unitary, borough or district councils. In London, the system is managed by Transport for London. 

The Department for Transport has issued guidance on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing since 2006, to “assist local authorities that have responsibility for the regulation of the taxi and private hire vehicle trades.”

But why then are criminals slipping through the net? The vulnerability of a taxi passenger and the ‘privacy’ of a taxi vehicle can make them prime settings for more sinister crimes such as rape of sexual assaults to take place. 

In 2020 the government issued, for the first time, Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards to safeguard the most vulnerable in society.

The latest update published in November 2020 says: “There is evidence to support the view that taxis and private hire vehicles (PHV) are a high-risk environment. 

“In terms of risks to passengers, this can be seen in abuse and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults facilitated and in some cases perpetrated by the trade and the number of sexual crimes reported which involve taxi and private hire vehicle drivers.

“Links between the trade and child sexual abuse and exploitation have been established in many areas and other investigations continue.”

LegalExpert set out to investigate the level of criminality among the UKs city taxi drivers to gain an understanding of the current landscape and gauge whether the 2020 safeguarding standards have impacted taxi driver crime levels and subsequently, passenger safety.

We sent out Freedom of Information requests to the 36 Metropolitan Councils in England asking for the number of taxi drivers (those that hold a licence issued UK Metropolitan Councils) who have been arrested, convicted or issued with a caution for both non-sexual and sexual offences. 

See your area’s results below.

Results

Coventry City Council

Non-Sexual Offences

6 April 2021 – 5 April 2022

Offence	Police Action	Number
Child Neglect	Arrested	1
Assault ABH	Arrested – victim withdrawn support	1
Drink Driving	DVLA licence suspended	2
Assault, Threats to Kill	NFA	1
Possession with intent to supply cannabis  £375k at Belfast	One served six months. Unknown about other driver	2

6 April 2022 – 5 April 2022 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault	NFA as Victim stated lied to the Police	1
Drink Driving & assault on two Police officers	DVLA licence suspended	1
Possession with intent to supply cocaine and of an offensive weapon	Unknown	1
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle plate	Taxi Licensing Office Caution	7 (not Coventry licensed drivers)
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle plate	Taxi Licensing Office Conviction	2 (not Coventry licensed drivers)

6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault GBH	Arrested – unknown	1
Assault GBH & ABH	Arrested – unknown	2
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle Plate	Taxi Licensing Office  Caution	20 (not Coventry  licensed drivers)
Failure to display  Private Hire Vehicle Plate	Taxi Licensing Office  Conviction	1 (not Coventry  licensed drivers)

Sexual Offences

6 April 2021 – 5 April 2022

Offence	Police Action	Number
Rape  Rape	Sentenced 8 yrs 4 mths Arrester	1 1

6 April 2022 – 5 April 2022 

Offence	Police Action	Number
Assault	NFA as Victim stated lied to the Police	1
Take/Distribute child  sexual photographs	Unknown	1
Historic sexual abuse 1980s	Unknown With niece aged 7-11 years old	1
Sexual assault	On bail	1

6 April 2023 – 5 April 2024 

None. 

Sandwell

Non-sexual offences

Description	April 21 – Mar  22	Apr 22 – Mar 23	Apr 23 – Mar 24
Arrest	1. Threats to kill  and Assault  2. Assault  3. Assault	1. Drink Driving 2. Drink Driving 3. Assault  4. Drugs	1. Assault  2. Assault
Caution	0	0	0
Conviction	0	1. Breach of   Molestation   Order	0
Total for that   year	3	5	2

Sexual Offence

Description	April 21 – Mar  22	Apr 22 – Mar 23	Apr 23 – Mar 24
Arrest	1. Rape	1. Sexual   Assault  2. Rape	1. Sexual   Assault  2. Sexual   Assault  3. Rape  4. Indecent   Images
Caution	0	0	0
Conviction  Total for that   year	0  1	0  2	0  4

Metropolitan Police

A total of 79 rape offences were connceted with London taxi drivers last year alone, according to the Met Police – a 41% increase on previous years.

A total of 179 sexual offences by private hire and taxi drivers in London were recorded by police last year.

This includes 79 rapes and 100 other sexual offences, which include assault.

The highest number of these sexual offences took place in November 2022 and more offences were shown to have taken place between 5-6pm than at any other time of day.

 

 

What’s more, figures could be higher because only data where the occupation of the sexual offender was recorded by police have been counted.

This includes; taxi-driver, mini-cab driver and chauffeur but there may have been instances where the occupation of the person committing the sexual offence was not included – however criminal processes would continue as usual.

It has been reported in the UK media that Total Fitness suffered a data breach in June 2024. It arose when a public database was discovered that contained over 400,000 images of men, women and children.

The breach is said to have impacted personal data relating to its members and staff. Although the extent of the damage is not yet known, there is the potential for significant numbers of people to have been affected.

If you’re a Total Fitness member or employee and are worried about the situation and want advice on your legal rights, we can help.

Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist data breach solicitors who can check for free if you’re eligible to claim compensation.

You can speak with us now by:

• Calling 0800 073 8804
• Or messaging us now via our live chat or WhatsApp chat

What Is The Total Fitness Data Breach?

In June 2024, it was reported by The Register that Total Fitness had exposed approximately 474,000 images of its members and employees in a database that was accessible to the public. This database did not have any password protection features.

Attached to some of these images were pieces of personal data that could be used to identify individuals. We explain more about the affected data below.

It is understood that Total Fitness has reported the incident to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Total Fitness has yet to make a public statement on the matter.

It should be noted that this breach is different from one that occurred in 2021.

What Data Was Affected?

In addition to images, the 2024 Total Fitness data breach was said to involve documents that can identify individuals—likely to be names and email addresses, though Total Fitness has not confirmed this.

The exposed information was also said to include phone numbers and reportedly bank account information.

In the cases of employees, it’s suspected that some immigration records may have been exposed too.

The images that were found in the publically available database were said to be membership photos showing faces. Personally identifiable information (PII) was attached to some of these images.

Who Did The Data Breach Affect?

It has been estimated that around 97% of the individuals affected were members, suggesting that the remainder of those impacted were employees.

While Total Fitness has not confirmed how many people were impacted, it has around 100,000 members and the database contained over 474,000 images. These images are of men, women and children.

What To Do If You’re Worried Or Have Been Impacted By The Total Fitness Data Breach?

Total Fitness has an obligation under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 to inform affected individuals. They should do this in the form of a data breach notification letter. This can also come in the form of an email.

This letter should confirm that you’ve been impacted by the recent Total Fitness data breach, what data was impacted, and what steps they are taking to secure it.

If you have not received a letter, you can reach out to Total Fitness and ask them to confirm.

Should I Report The Breach To The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)?

You do not need to report the breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) right away. Total Fitness has notified the ICO already, it has been reported. This means they’re aware of it and are investigating.

If you make a complaint to Total Fitness about the data breach and they do not respond to you within 3 months, you can raise the issue with the ICO and complaint to them directly.

What Other Steps Can I Take?

Being involved in a data breach can be distressing. However, you can take some steps to secure your personal information:

• Keep an eye out for any suspicious calls, emails or text messages. If you don’t recognise who they are, err on the side of caution
• Speak with your bank. They will have procedures in place for those impacted by data breaches. They could help you secure your data.
• Keep an eye on your credit rating. If you notice any sudden changes, then somebody could be trying to take out credit in your name using the personal information they have about you

How Have Total Fitness Responded?

Total Fitness has not made a public statement, though they have given a comment to The Register. The company stated that it had conducted a forensic examination and identified at least 114 images that had personally identifiable information attached to them.

They have also stated that they have seen no evidence of anyone accessing the files, though it is believed the database has been accessible since March 2021.

It has notified the ICO of the breach, though no comment was made as to whether affected individuals have been informed.

How Legal Expert Can Help You Claim Compensation

If you would like to check if you could make a Total Fitness data breach compensation claim, we offer a free case consultation.

Here at Legal Expert, our team of data protection solicitors are well-versed in these types of cases. They understand the claims process and how to accurately value claims.

In order to make a data breach claim, you will need to prove:

• That you were impacted by the data breach. This can be done by providing a copy of the data breach notification letter.
• That as a result of the breach, you suffered damage either to your mental health or to your finances

If we can see that you’re eligible to make a Total Fitness data breach claim, we can offer to represent you on a No Win No Fee basis.

This means that you do not need to pay any fees upfront to make the compensation claim. You will only pay us a fee for our legal costs if your case is successful. The amount we deduct is capped by law and will be explained in clear terms before the case begins.

Speak With Us About The Total Fitness Data Breach And Compensation Claims

If you’d like to speak with us now about a potential Total Fitness data breach compensation claim, get in touch with us today.

Our helpline is open 24 hours a day, and you can speak with us now by:

• Calling 0800 073 8804
• Or messaging us now via our live chat or WhatsApp chat

Recent debates about smacking children raised questions of whether it is acceptable to smack a child as a form of discipline and whether doing so is at the discretion of parents/guardians or the law.

Smacking was banned in Scotland in 2020 and was followed by Wales in 2022. It prompted new calls for the government to follow suit in outlawing the practice in England and Northern Ireland.

In April 2024, The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health released a report setting out why England and Northern Ireland should change the law to make physical punishment of a child illegal.

The report included studies by RCPCH which found smacking can be damaging to children’s behaviour, health and well-being.

It said for example, children who experience physical punishment are nearly three times more likely to develop poor mental health and twice as likely to be on the receiving end of serious physical assault and abuse.

What The Current Law Says

In England, it is currently unlawful for a parent or carer to smack their child, except where this amounts to ‘reasonable punishment,’ according to section 58 of the Children Act 2004.

But whether a ‘smack’ amounts to reasonable punishment usually depends on the circumstances of each case, taking into consideration factors such as the age of the child and the nature of the smack.

The government says parents are trusted to discipline their children.

A Department of Education spokesperson told the BBC in April 2024: “Any form of violence towards a child is completely unacceptable and we have clear laws in place to prevent it.”

The UK government said there were no plans to change the law on smacking in England and said it would monitor the impact of law changes in Scotland and Wales, according to the BBC.

“We are supporting teachers, social workers and all safeguarding professionals to spot the signs of abuse or neglect more quickly,” a Department for Education spokesperson said.

They added: “Our statutory framework for safeguarding children in England makes clear what organisations should do to keep children safe.”

While this may be the case for organisations, what about parents or guardians of the child?

Our Investigation

Legal Expert set out to explore the issue in an effort to gain a better understanding of the current landscape of children who experience physical abuse at the hands of a parent or guardian.

However, with no current ‘smacking’ ban in England and Northern Ireland, it proved challenging to obtain clear information.

Therefore, our investigation looked at how many children across England and Wales are subject to physical abuse and of these instances, how many are committed by the parents or guardians of the child.

The obvious limitation here is that there is currently no way of discerning whether the act of violence or physical abuse towards the child was intended as a punishment or not.

It raises the question as to whether an outright ban in England and Northern Ireland would provide a clearer insight into the current landscape of smacking and/or whether the state should have an input into a parent’s decision to discipline their child.

LegalExpert Solicitor, Jane Davies says: “No child should ever have to suffer physical abuse at the hands of their parents or guardian.

“Even though there is no outright ban on smacking in England and Northern Ireland yet, there are clear laws in place to protect a child from experiencing any form of violence.

“There are options available to victims of child physical abuse including claiming compensation for physical and emotional harm.”

What is child physical abuse?

There is no specific offence of “child physical abuse.” Practitioners have come to define child abuse based on the laws designed to protect children from harm. For example, the 2018 HM Government Report, ‘Working together to safeguard children,’ defines “child physical abuse” as:

“A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.”

The College of Policing also defined “child physical abuse” as the “non-accidental infliction of physical force by one person on another, which may or may not result in personal injury.”

A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

How We Conducted Our Research Into Child Physical Abuse

According to the Office for National Statistics, the best available indicator of child physical abuse recorded by the police is offences of violence against the person involving “non-accidental infliction of physical force” where the victim was under the age of 18 years.

Some of these offences relate specifically to children, for example, cruelty to children/young persons. However, both adults and children can be victims of other offences. Age of the victim is therefore needed to identify those that relate to child physical abuse.

The Home Office Data Hub is a live database that allows police forces to provide the Home Office with record-level information on all crimes recorded. This includes the age of victims at the time of the offence. However, this information is not always provided, so not all child physical abuse offences recorded by the police can be identified.

Legal Expert sent Freedom of Information requests to every police force in England asking for the number of offences of child physical abuse in the last three years (Between April 6 2021 – April 5 2023)

We also asked; how many of these instances were perpetrated by the child’s parent or guardian.

Results

Bedfordshire

Child physical abuse at the hands of parents and guardians in Bedfordshire has soared by a staggering 38% in just one year.

An average of eight violent offences towards children have been recorded by Bedfordshire Police every day, with figures rising year on year.

Of these, around 19% are perpetrated by the child’s parent or foster parent. 

A total 7,497 physical abuse crimes towards under 18-year-olds were recorded by police since 2021.

2,652 of these instances resulted in injury to the child and there have been a total of 4 homicide offences against a child in the county in the last three years.

There were 716 instances of child physical abuse committed by the Mother as well as 669 by the Father, according to police.

A further 14 physical abuse crimes were perpetrated by a foster parent of the child.

Cheshire

26% of all child physical abuse crimes in Cheshire are committed by the parent or guardian of the child.

An average of 11 child physical abuse crimes have been recorded by Cheshire Police every day in the last three years.

The offences include; assault with injury, assault with intent to cause serious harm and racial assault without injury.

Across the county, a total of 11,915 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

According to Cheshire Police, there were 4,040 child physical abuse recorded between April 6, 2021 – April 5, 2022. Of these, 1,002 incidents were recorded as having the child’s parent or guardian as the suspect or perpetrator. 

The following year, figures climbed to a total 4,224 child physical abuse crimes, where 1,111 of them were logged as being perpetrated by the parent/guardian. 

So far, between 2023/24, there have been a total of 3,651 such crimes, where 946 recorded the parent/guardian as the perpetrator of the abuse.

Teeside

20% of all physical abuse crimes on under 17-year-olds in Teeside are committed by the parent or guardian.

An average of 8 child physical abuse crimes have been recorded by Cleveland Police every day in the last two years.

The offences include; wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault and battery.

Across Teeside, a total of 6,041 physical abuse crimes towards children (under the age of 17) were recorded by police between 2021-2023.

A total of 2,554 instances resulted in injury to the child. The majority (93%) of which, were ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm.’ 

This means any hurt that interferes with health or comfort, such as cuts, bruises or psychiatric injury.

In Teeside, there were 1,191 recorded instances of child physical abuse committed by the parent or guardian between 2021-2023.

What’s more, the number could be higher, as there 71 cases where the victim refused to identify the perpetrator.

There were a further 355 alleged abusers that were recorded as ‘unknown’ according to Cleveland Police figures.

Dorset

A staggering 37% of all child physical abuse crimes in Dorset are committed by the parent or guardian of the child.

Our investigation revealed that an average of 8 child physical abuse crimes have been recorded by Dorset Police every day in the last three years.

The new figures obtained via Freedom of Information Requests show the number of violent offences against a child (17 years old or younger) including instances of child abuse or neglect.

In Dorset, a total of 8,399 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

An eye-watering 43% of physical abuse crimes towards a child were committed by the parent or guardian between 2021/22, according to Dorset Police. 

The following year, figures climbed to a total of 2,999 violent offences towards children, with 1,083 being at the hands of the child’s parent or guardian.

Between 2023/24, there were a total of 2,538 child physical abuse crimes, 39% of which were committed by a guardian or parent.

Durham

There has been a rise in child physical abuse committed by the parent or guardian of the child in Durham, with 24% of violent offences toward a child perpetrated by the Mother or Father.

An average of 7 child physical abuse crimes were recorded by Durham Constabulary every day in the last three years.

Of which, a total of 1,789 acts of violence towards a child (under 18) where at the hands of the parent.

The figures show instances including; assault with injury, assaults with intent to cause serious harm and assault without injury.

Across Durham, a total of 7,879 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

Of the 2,448 physical abuse crimes towards children in Durham between 2021/22, around 22% were committed by the parent.

Figures climbed in the county the following year 2022/23, with a total of 2,747 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 609 were at the hands of the parent. 

In 2023/24, 24% of child physical abuse crimes were revealed as being committed by the child’s parent, according to Durham Constabulary, although the number of overall offences decreased slightly totalling, 2,684.

However, these figures could actually be higher, as there were a total of 55 instances in the last three years where the relationship of the perpetrator to the child was recorded as familial but ‘unknown.’ 

Essex

Around 4 children every day are physically abused by their parent or guardian in Essex. 

A total of 29,497 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Essex Police in the last three years.

Of these, 3,891 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

The figures show instances of violence against a child but cases where the offence was either stalking or harassment were not included.

Across Essex, a total of 29,497 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021 – that’s an average of 27 every single day.

A total of 10,033 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Essex between 2021/22. Of those, 1,242 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or guardian according to police figures. 

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 10,531 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 1,469 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Essex Police recorded a total of 8,933 such offences, 1,180 of which were logged as having the parent or guardian as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child. 

Gwent

21% of child physical abuse crimes in South East Wales are committed by the parent or carer of the child.

A total of 8,717 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Gwent Police in the last three years.

Of these, 1,850 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or carer.

The figures include offences of; assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault and battery and grievous bodily harm.

In South East Wales, a total of 8,717 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by Gwent police since 2021 – that’s an average of 8 every single day.

A total of 2,548 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in South East Wales between 2021/22. Of those, 528 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 3,177 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 707 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Gwent Police recorded a total of 2,992 such offences, 615 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child. 

Since 2021, there were also 257 instances of child physical abuse where the perpetrator was recorded as being a member of the child’s family.

Hull and East Yorkshire

25% of child physical abuse crimes in Hull and East Yorkshire are committed by the parent or carer of the child,.

A total of 730 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Humberside Police in just 12 months.

Of these, 183 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

In Hull and East Yorkshire, the highest number of physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded in June 2022 and March 2023 – where 86 acts of violence towards children occurred in each month.

Kent

A staggering 44% of child physical abuse crimes in Kent are committed by the parent or carer of the child.

A total of 10,591 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Kent Police between 2021-2023.

Of these, 4,610 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

The figures include offences of; assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm.

Across Kent, a total of 5,218 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police between 2021/22. Of those, an eye-watering 2,198 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or guardian. 

Between 2022/23, Kent Police recorded a further 5,373 instances of child physical abuse, of which a staggering 2,412 were at the hands of the parent or guardian of the child.

Lancashire

21% of child physical abuse crimes in Lancashire are committed by the parent or guardian of the child.

A total of 12,458 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Lancashire Police in the last three years.

Of these, 2,662 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

The figures include offences of; assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm.

Across Lancashire a total of 12,458 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021 – that’s an average of 11 every single day.

A total of 4,024 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Lancashire between 2021/22. Of those, 806 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 4,375 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 904 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Lancashire Police recorded a total of 4,059 such offences, 952 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child – that’s 23%.

Leicestershire

Leicestershire Police record an average of 15 child physical abuse crimes every day across the county in the last three years.

There have been 1,540 instances where the parent or guardian has committed acts of physical violence towards a child since 2021.

The figures include offences of; violence with injury, violence without injury and homicide.

Across Leicestershire, a total of 16,007 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021 – that’s an average of 15 every single day.

A total of 5,068 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Leicestershire between 2021/22. Of those 463 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or guardian according to police figures.

Figures climbed the following year with 5,763 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 548 were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

In 2023/24, Leicestershire Police recorded a total of 5,176 such offences, 529 of which were logged as having the parent or guardian as the suspect of the violence towards a child.

In the last three years, police have recorded 7 cases of homicide where the victim was a child. In one instance, the parent or guardian is recorded as the suspect.

Lincolnshire

22% of child physical abuse crimes in Lincolnshire are committed by the parent or guardian of the child with figures rising year on year.

An average of 7 instances of child physical abuse have been recorded by Lincolnshire every day in the last three years.

Of these, 1,736 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

Across Lincolnshire, a total of 7,767 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

A total of 2,284 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Lincolnshire between 2021/22. Of those, 475 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

Figures skyrocketed by 21% the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 2,711 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 619 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Lincolnshire Police recorded a total of 2,772 such offences, 642 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child – that’s 23%.

Merseysde

More than a fifth of child physical abuse crimes in Merseyside are committed by the parent or guardian of the child.

13,741 instances of child physical abuse were recorded by Merseyside Police in the last three years – that’s an average of 13 every single day. 

Of those, 2,898 instances of violence towards a child – under 18 – were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

The figures include offences of; common assault and battery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm. 

A total of 4,113 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Merseyside between 2021/22. Of those 899 were perpetrated by the child’s parent (including step/adopted or foster) according to police.

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 5,087 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 1,084 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Merseyside Police recorded a total of 4,541 such offences, 915 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child.

North Wales

A staggering 35% of child physical abuse crimes in North Wales were committed by the parent or guardian of the child between 2023/24.

An average of 10 instances of child physical abuse have been recorded by North Wales every day in the last three years.

Of these, 3,592 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

The figures  include offences of; assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm.

Across North Wales a total of 10,777 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

A total of 3,612 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in North Wales between 2021/22. Of those, 1,149 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 3,886 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 1,298 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, North Wales Police recorded a total of 3,279 such offences, 1,145 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child – that’s an eye-watering 35%.

North Yorkshire

24% of child physical abuse crimes in North Yorkshire were committed by the parent or guardian of the child in 2023/24.

An average of 7 instances of child physical abuse have been recorded by North Yorkshire Police every day in the last three years.

Of these, 1,662 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

The figures include offences of; assault with injury and assault with intent to cause serious harm.

Across North Yorkshire a total of 7,646 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

A total of 2,451 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in North Yorkshire between 2021/22. Of those, 507 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

Figures climbed the following year, 2022/23, with a total of 2,671 physical abuse offences recorded towards a child. Of those, 555 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, North Yorkshire Police recorded a total of 2,524 such offences, 600 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child – that’s 24%.

Northamptonshire

24% of child physical abuse crimes in Northamptonshire are committed by the parent or guardian of the child.

An average of 9 instances of child physical abuse have been recorded by Northamptonshire Police every day in the last three years.

Of these, 2,222 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian.

Across Northamptonshire, a total of 9,380 physical abuse crimes towards children were recorded by police since 2021.

A total of 3,224 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Northamptonshire between 2021/22. Of those, 842 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures – that’s 26%.

The following year, 2022/23, a total of 3,151 physical abuse offences were recorded towards a child. Of those, 715 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Northamptonshire Police recorded a total of 3,005 such offences, 665 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child.

Nottinghamshire

An average of 19 child physical crimes are recorded by Nottinghamshire Police every day.

A staggering 21,255 child abuse crimes have been reported in Nottinghamshire in the last three years.

Of these, 2,538 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

Across Nottinghamshire had some of the highest numbers of child physical abuse crimes in the UK between 2021-2024.

A total of 7,539 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Nottinghamshire between 2021/22. Of those, 949 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

The following year, 2022/23, a total of 7,239 physical abuse offences were recorded towards a child. Of those, 801 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Nottinghamshire Police recorded a total of 6,377 such offences, 788 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child.

Surrey

A staggering 39% of child physical abuse crimes in Surrey are at the hands of the parent or guardian of the child – the highest in UK.

A total of 4,486 child abuse crimes have been recorded by Surrey Police in the last three years.

Of those, 1,740 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were committed by the parent or guardian – it is the highest percentage of parental perpetrators reported by any other UK police force.

Across Surrey, an average of four child physical abuse crimes have been recorded by police every day between 2021/2024 – with figures skyrocketing by 27% in the last three years.

A total of 1,395 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in Surrey between 2021/22. Of those, 605 were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

The following year, 2022/23, a total of 1,317 physical abuse offences were recorded towards a child. Of those, 566 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, Surrey Police recorded a total of 1,774 such offences, 569 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child.

West Mercia

25% of all child physical abuse crimes in West Merica are at the hands of the parents or guardian of the child.

An average of 11 child physical abuse crimes have been recorded by West Mercia Police everyday in the last three years.

Of these, 3,108 instances of violence towards a child (under 18) were committed by the parent or guardian. 

Across West Mercia – which covers areas Hertfordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, recorded some of the highest child physical abuse crime figures in the UK since 2021.

A total of 4,291 physical abuse crimes were committed towards children in West Mercia between 2021/22. Of those, 1,079  were perpetrated by the child’s parent or carer according to police figures. 

The following year, 2022/23, a total of 4,369 physical abuse offences were recorded towards a child. Of those, 1,106 were at the hands of the parent or guardian. 

In 2023/24, West Mercia Police recorded a total of 3,797 such offences, 923 of which were logged as having the parent or carer as the perpetrator of the violence towards a child.

 

NHS staff perform incredibly tough jobs day in day out. What makes this job harder is when patients or those they’re trying to help assault or abuse them.

We receive lots of enquiries from NHS staff who have been assaulted at work so it prompted us to investigate and conduct our own research to uncover the scale of the problem

Below, you can find the results of our research.

How Legal Expert Can Help With Claims For Assaults At Work

If you’ve suffered an injury after being assaulted at work, we can help. Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist accident at work claim solicitors who can get you the compensation and justice you deserve.

We offer a free eligibility check and advice via our 24-hour helpline and live chat service. So if you have a question, please get in touch with us today.

The Background To Our Research

With the most recent NHS staff survey showing that around 50% of ambulance trust workers experience physical abuse, we set out to investigate the scale of NHS staff experiencing physical or verbal assaults while at work.

Legal Expert revealed that the NHS has paid out a staggering £20.7 million in NHS staff assault claims in the last five years.

The eye-watering amount was paid out for a total of 1,017 NHS staff assault claims since 2019.

Legal Expert solicitor, Patrick Mallon says: “These figures are extremely concerning. Nobody should have to feel threatened at work – especially hard-working, vital NHS staff. 

“Something must be done to tackle abuse towards NHS staff who, for the majority, are just trying to do their jobs.”

Physical assaults on NHS staff are defined as: “The intentional application of force to the person of another without lawful justification, resulting in physical injury or personal discomfort.”

How We Conducted Our Research Into NHS Staff Assaults

We submitted a Freedom of Information request to NHS Resolution – which is the legal body of the NHS.

We asked for the number of claims and incidents of staff assaults within each NHS trust in England. Secondly, we requesting information regarding the number of legal claims that had been closed or settled as well as the amount of damages paid out per trust.

The Statistics And Findings

Findings revealed that the biggest damages payouts awarded for such claims was recorded by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which amounted to £1,180,394 for just 10 claims.

The trust, which has locations in Brighton, Hove, East and West Sussex, recorded 20 claims and incidents of NHS staff assaults in total since 2019.

In England, the highest number of NHS staff assault claims was recorded at Mersey Care NHS Trust in the North West.

Out of 236 NHS Trust, it had the highest number of staff assault claims. A total of 62 were lodged within Mersey Care since 2019 of which there were damages payments awarded.

The compensation paid out by the trust amounted to £1,159,679 – the second highest in England.

The news comes amid responses to a separate FOI request that revealed there were at least 41,226 physical assaults on NHS staff working in hospitals in 2023, an increase on the previous year and a 21% jump since 2019. 

Around 14% of NHS staff have self-reported that they have experienced at least one incident of physical violence from patients, service users, relatives or other members of the public in the last 12 months, according to the latest NHS staff survey. 

But the ambulance sector is the worst affected, with almost 50% of paramedics experiencing physical abuse. 

Legal Expert’s investigation has gathered all the NHS trusts where staff have lodged assault claims. Below are the top 10 trusts with the highest number of staff assault claims:

The trusts with the highest number of NHS staff assault claims are as follows:

• Mersey Care NHS FT (62)
• Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS FT (34)
• Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS FT (33)
• Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT (26)
• Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (23)
• Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust (20)
• Central and North West London NHS FT (20)
• East London NHS FT (20)
• South London & Maudsley NHS FT (20)
• West London NHS FT (17)

Legal Expert solicitor, Mr Mallon added: “Whilst claiming against medical bodies like the NHS can seem daunting, such claims help highlight the issues and hopefully start the conversation that leads to change to ensure no staff members ever fall victim to either physical or verbal abuse in the future.”. 

NHS Resolution manages a number of risk-pooling schemes (similar to insurance) for the NHS, one of which is the Liability to Third Parties Scheme (LTPS).

This covers both employers’ liability (for example, in relation to duties of care owed to employees) and public liability (i.e. in relation to duties of care owed other patients, visitors, and other members of the public). 

The claims referred to are LTPS claims. 

Results by NHS Trust

Between 2019-2021, there were 98 NHS Trusts with less than 5 staff assault claims. The total compensation paid amounted to £4,716,991.

Greater Manchester NHS Trusts

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £695,753

Number of claims and incidents: 81

Number of claims only: 26

Average compensation payout per claim: £26,759.73

London NHS Trusts

West London NHS Trust

Total damages paid: £539,923

Number of claims and incidents: 42

Number of claims only: 17

Average compensation payout per claim: £31,760.17

South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £522,659

Number of claims and incidents: 33

Number of claims only: 20

Average compensation payout per claim: £26,132.95

Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust

Total damages paid: £358,290

Number of claims and incidents: 32

Number of claims only: 20

Average compensation payout per claim: £17,914.50

North East London NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £296,039

Number of claims and incidents: 31

Number of claims only: 13

Average compensation payout per claim: £22,772.23

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

Total damages paid: £229,729

Number of claims and incidents: 23

Number of claims only: 12

Average compensation payout per claim: £19,144.08

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £224,241

Number of claims and incidents: 17

Number of claims only: 6

Average compensation payout per claim: £37,373.50

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £215,051

Number of claims and incidents: 28

Number of claims only: 10

Average compensation payout per claim: £21,505

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £210,700

Number of claims and incidents: 35

Number of claims only: 20

Average compensation payout per claim: £10,535

North East and North Cumbria NHS Trusts

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £395,583

Number of claims and incidents: 57

Number of claims only: 34

Average compensation payout per claim: £11,634.79

Yorkshire NHS Trusts

Midlands NHS Trusts

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £778,304

Number of claims and incidents: 19

Number of claims only: 12

Average compensation payout per claim: £64,858.66

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £582,424

Number of claims and incidents: 39

Number of claims only: 11

Average compensation payout per claim: £52,947.63

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £556,986

Number of claims and incidents: 28

Number of claims only: 11

Average compensation payout per claim: £50,653.09

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £456,66

Number of claims and incidents: 41

Number of claims only: 16

Average compensation payout per claim: £28,541.43

Lancashire NHS Trusts

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £500,853

Number of claims and incidents: 65

Number of claims only: 33

Average compensation payout per claim: £15,177.36

Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Trusts

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £1,158,679

Number of claims and incidents: 122

Number of claims only: 62

Average compensation payout per claim: £18,688.37

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £361,902

Number of claims and incidents: 15

Number of claims only: 12

Average compensation payout per claim: £30,158.50

Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £323,404

Number of claims and incidents: 37

Number of claims only: 16

Average compensation payout per claim: £20,212.75

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £237,340

Number of claims and incidents: 22

Number of claims only: 9

Average compensation payout per claim: £26,371.11

South East NHS Trusts

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £1,180,394

Number of claims and incidents: 20

Number of claims only: 10

Average compensation payout per claim: £118,039.40

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £486,117

Number of claims and incidents: 36

Number of claims only: 15

Average compensation payout per claim: £32,407.80

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £241,890

Number of claims and incidents:

Number of claims only: 6

Average compensation payout per claim: £40,315

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £296,784

Number of claims and incidents: 21

Number of claims only: 9

Average compensation payout per claim: £32,976

South West NHS Trusts

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £356,387

Number of claims and incidents:

Number of claims only: 5

Average compensation payout per claim: £71,277.40

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Total damages paid: £300,872

Number of claims and incidents: 18

Number of claims only: 10

Average compensation payout per claim: £30,087.20

East of England NHS Trusts

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £318,147

Number of claims and incidents: 6

Number of claims only: 5

Average compensation payout per claim: £63,629.40

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Total damages paid: £305,604

Number of claims and incidents: 21

Number of claims only: 11

Average compensation payout per claim: £27,782.18

Continue Reading

We conduct research on all different types of cases and issues that affect our client’s lives.

You can click through here to find statistics on staff absences in the NHS due to mental health

If you have been harmed while under the care of medical professionals, you may have questions such as, ‘What is classed as medical negligence in the UK?’ and ‘When could I claim compensation?’. Sometimes, when receiving medical treatment, complications may arise. However, if these complications have arisen due to a healthcare professional not abiding by their duty of care, you may be able to make a medical negligence claim for any unnecessary harm you have suffered.

Within this guide, we will explain the duty of care you are owed by all medical professionals, what circumstances are classed as medical negligence, and when you could make a claim for compensation. Furthermore, we will share examples of evidence you could gather for your claim to prove medical negligence occurred.

Additionally, we talk through how compensation is calculated and how a specialist medical negligence solicitor on our team could help you with claiming compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.

If you want to talk directly to our team about your case, you can do so for free:

• Call 0800 073 8804
• Fill out our ‘claim online’ form.
• Chat in our live support box.

Jump To A Section

1. What Is Classed As Medical Negligence In The UK?
2. What Are The Different Types Of Medical Negligence?
3. How Do You Prove A Claim For Medical Negligence?
4. What Amount Of Medical Negligence Compensation Could Be Claimed?
5. How Do You Claim For Clinical Negligence?
6. Find Out More About Clinical Negligence Claims

What Is Classed As Medical Negligence In The UK?

So, what is classed as medical negligence in the UK? Medical negligence is when a patient suffers avoidable harm due to a medical professional failing to adhere to their duty of care.

As soon as you seek medical care and treatment, you are instantly owed a duty of care by the healthcare professional treating you. This also applies regardless of the medical setting they work in, whether that is a hospital, pharmacy or GP surgery. They must adhere to their duty of care by providing treatment and care that at least meets the minimum expectation. If the treatment they provide falls below this expected standard, this is considered a breach of their duty of care.

To be able to make a valid medical negligence claim, your case needs to meet all of the following criteria:

1. A healthcare professional owed a duty of care to you.
2. The healthcare professional treating you breached their duty of care. For example, they failed to properly assess and consider all of the symptoms you described to them.
3. Due to this breach of duty, you suffered avoidable harm.

However, there may be instances where you suffer harm but the medical professional treating you did not breach their duty of care. In these instances, you might not be eligible to receive compensation.

To see whether you may have an eligible medical negligence claim, you can contact one of the friendly advisors on our team for a free case assessment.

What Are The Different Types Of Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence could occur in various ways. Some examples could include:

• Diagnostic errors, such as misdiagnosis. For instance, you have clear symptoms of an ankle fracture, but a doctor fails to refer you for an X-ray scan. They instead misdiagnose your fracture as a sprain. You could cause further damage to your ankle by putting pressure on it.
• Surgical errors. For instance, you are having vitrectomy surgery as part of your eye treatment. However, the ophthalmologist uses the incorrect equipment during the surgical procedure and damages your eye. This error could lead to loss of sight and severe facial scarring.
• Prescription or medication errors. For instance, your GP gives you a medication that contains penicillin, which you are allergic to. The GP was aware of your allergy as it was noted on your medical records. Because of this, you suffer an allergic reaction and anaphylaxis.

These are only a few examples. If you have suffered harm that you otherwise wouldn’t have if a medical professional adhered to their duty of care, please feel free to contact us at a time that suits you. We can answer any questions regarding what is classed as medical negligence in the UK and whether you might be eligible for compensation.

How Do You Prove A Claim For Medical Negligence?

Evidence is really important in medical negligence claims because you must prove how duty of care was breached and how this has led you to suffer avoidable harm.

Examples of evidence that could be gathered to support a medical negligence claim include:

• Copies of your medical records if you have sought medical attention for your avoidable harm. This can show how avoidable harm has affected you.
• Any letters confirming medical appointments with the medical professional that breached their duty of care.
• Witness contact details if anyone came with you and saw that substandard care was given.
• Photographs of any visible effects of your avoidable harm.
• Copies of any X-ray scans, test results or your prescriptions.

If one of our expert solicitors works with you on your potential medical negligence case, they can help you collect evidence as part of the services that they offer.

You can contact us to learn more about how our solicitors could help you prove medical negligence. They can also help answer any questions you may still have, such as ‘What is classed as medical negligence in the UK?’ and ‘When do I know if I have a valid claim?’.

What Amount Of Medical Negligence Compensation Could Be Claimed? 

For successful medical negligence cases, the amount of compensation that could be awarded depends on the specific circumstances affecting each individual case. However, medical negligence payouts for successful claims could consist of general and special damages.

General damages are an award compensating the physical and psychological impacts of the medical negligence. This award takes into consideration:

• The severity of the harm experienced.
• Loss of amenity, otherwise known as loss of enjoyment.
• How long it should take to recover from the avoidable harm.

At some point during the medical negligence claims process, you might be invited to undergo an independent assessment, where a medical expert can evaluate your avoidable harm. The reports from this can be used along with the compensation guidelines from the Judicial College (JCG) when valuing your claim for general damages. The JCG is a publication with different guideline compensation figures for numerous types of physical and psychological harm.

Compensation Table

We have taken some types of harm and their compensation guidelines from the JCG to create the following table. Only the very first row is not in the JCG. Please only use this table for guidance purposes.

Type of harm	Severity	Guideline award figures	Notes
Multiple types of serious harm with special damages	Serious	Up to £1,000,000+	An award for suffering more than one type of serious harm with the money you have lost as a result, for example, loss of earnings and professional care costs.
Brain damage	Very severe (a)	£344,150 to £493,000	Cases in this bracket include 'locked in' syndrome with a severely reduced life expectancy.
	Moderately severe (b)	£267,340 to £344,150	Cases in this bracket include a permanent vegetative state with a severely reduced life expectancy.
Kidney	Permanent and serious damage or loss (a)	£206,730 to £256,780	Of both kidneys.
	Loss of one kidney (c)	£37,550 to £54,760	Where the other kidney has no damage.
Bowels	Double incontinence (a)	Up to £224,790	Complete loss or bowel and urinary function with other medical complications.
Sight	Loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision in the other eye (c) (i)	£117,150 to £219,400	Where the other eye has a serious risk of further deterioration.
Facial scarring	Very severe scarring (a)	£36,340 to £118,790	Where the person is relatively young and has a severe psychological reaction and very disfiguring cosmetic effect.
Digestive System	Damage or illness from non-traumatic-injury (b) (i)	£46,900 to £64,070	Hospital admission due to severe toxicosis causing a fever and vomiting among other issues.

Other Ways You Could Be Compensated?

Special damages are an award compensating the financial impacts of the medical negligence. This award takes into consideration any:

• Medical expenses, such as prescription costs.
• Loss of earnings if you needed time off work to recover.
• Professional care costs.

Unlike general damages, which are always awarded in successful medical negligence claims, special damages are not. For this reason, you should keep evidence of any financial losses you wish to claim for in the form of receipts, payslips, invoices and bank statements, for example.

Our team can tell you more about how compensation for successful medical negligence claims are calculated. You can also contact them today to receive a free valuation for your potential case.

How Do You Claim For Clinical Negligence?

First, you should get in touch with us to confirm whether you have an eligible medical negligence compensation claim. If you do, you can be connected with one of our expert medical negligence solicitors. Our solicitors have years of experience working on various types of medical negligence claims and could help you with:

• Gathering evidence to support your case.
• Communicating with the other party.
• Ensuring your claim is filed on time.
• Negotiating your compensation.

Furthermore, our solicitors usually offer their services on a No Win No Fee basis under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

Some examples of how you would benefit from having your claim represented under a CFA:

• You will not pay any upfront charges for your solicitor’s services.
• You will not pay any ongoing charges for your solicitor’s services.
• If your claim fails, you will not be charged at all for your solicitor’s services.
• If you have a successful medical negligence claim, you will have a success fee deducted from your compensation. A success fee is a small percentage that is capped by law.

Contact Us

Contact us to see whether one of our experienced medical negligence solicitors can help you through the compensation claims process. Our friendly team of advisors can also offer you free advice and help if you are still unsure what is classed as medical negligence in the UK.

You can contact our team today via any of the following methods:

• Call 0800 073 8804
• Fill out our ‘claim online’ form.
• Chat in our live support box.

Find Out More About Clinical Negligence Claims

Browse some of our other medical negligence claims guides:

• How to make a private hospital medical negligence claim.
• See whether you can make a medical negligence claim for delays in treatment.
• Find out when you could claim for GP negligence with this useful guide.

Additionally, these external resources may also be helpful:

• General Medical Council (GMC) – what good medical practice is expected in a doctor’s duty of care.
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – what is involved in a nurse’s duty of care.
• NHS – how to complain to the NHS if you are not satisfied with any NHS care you have received.

We hope that this guide on what is classed as medical negligence in the UK has helped you. If you have any further questions or would like to see whether you may have a valid claim, you can contact our advisors.

Last Updated On 3rd December 2024. In the UK, the majority of us turn to the National Health Service (NHS) whenever we require medical treatment for an illness or injury. However, there may be instances where mistakes and errors occasionally happen. This guide looks at when you could be eligible to sue the NHS and answers the question “Can I sue the NHS without a solicitor?” should you experience avoidable harm after receiving substandard care. 

We list the benefits of having a solicitor represent you if you are looking to claim compensation and how working with them under No Win No Fee terms can mean avoiding upfront fees for their services.

We also define medical negligence and when a medical negligence claim is eligible. Furthermore, we provide examples of some different types of medical negligence that a solicitor could help you claim for. 

To find out more about claiming compensation for medical negligence, you can reach out to our team of advisors for free. They may connect you with one of our No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitors if you have an eligible claim. You can speak with an advisor at any time via one of the following:

• Call 0800 073 8804.
• Enquire about making a claim online.
• Message an advisor directly in our live chat box.

Jump To A Section

1. Can I Sue The NHS Without A Solicitor?
2. How Can A Solicitor Help Me Sue The NHS?
3. Could I Sue The NHS With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?
4. How Could I Claim For Medical Negligence?
5. Why Choose Legal Expert To Claim Compensation?
6. Find Out More About Clinical Negligence Claims

Can I Sue The NHS Without A Solicitor?

If you have an eligible medical negligence claim, you are not required to instruct a solicitor to help you. Instead, you could sue the NHS without a solicitor. 

However, if you want to claim compensation, we strongly recommend that you instruct a specialist medical negligence solicitor to help you. This is because solicitors have legal expertise of the claims process and can ensure your case runs smoothly.

The NHS negligence claims process can also be complex so having a solicitor help and work with you can be beneficial. 

How Can A Solicitor Help Me Sue The NHS?

Having answered the question, “Can I sue the NHS without a solicitor?” it might benefit you to know what exactly a solicitor can provide during your claim. As we said above, there is no legal requirement to instruct a claim representative, although it will definitely be to your advantage.

Some of the services a solicitor could provide can include:

• Sending correspondence to the defendant, their representatives and any expert witnesses who may be called upon.
• Helping to gather evidence of the avoidable harm caused to you.
• Collecting witness statements from relevant persons.
• Valuing both the physical and mental harm caused to you and your financial losses.
• Helping to explain any jargon or complex procedures you may encounter.
• Negotiating with the defendant’s representatives to get you a fair settlement.

Legal Expert’s dedicated medical negligence solicitors can provide all this and more if you choose to begin your claim with us. So, if you were wondering how to sue the NHS without a solicitor, why not talk to our advisors first, and find out how our solicitors could help you when making a claim. Our team are available 24 hours a day using the contact information given below.

Could I Sue The NHS With A No Win No Fee Solicitor?

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. So, if our advisors connect you, one of our solicitors could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). 

A CFA would benefit you as you would receive your solicitor’s services without having to pay upfront or ongoing fees for their work. You will also not be charged for their work if your medical negligence claim is unsuccessful. 

If your claim is successful, your solicitor can charge a success fee. Success fees are a percentage of your compensation. However, the law caps the maximum percentage that solicitors can charge.

To discuss the question ‘Can I sue the NHS without a solicitor?’ and to learn how a solicitor could benefit you if you do instruct legal representation, please get in touch on the number above.

How Could I Claim For Medical Negligence?

All medical professionals, including those within the NHS, owe a duty of care to every patient they treat. This duty of care requires delivering the correct standard of care. 

Medical negligence occurs when a medical professional deviates from their professional standards of care, and a patient suffers avoidable harm (harm that could have been prevented) as a result.

If a medical professional delivers a standard of care that does not meet what is minimally required from them, but a patient suffers no avoidable harm from this, then this is not medical negligence. 

As per above, you must show that you have met these criteria in order to have valid grounds to make a medical negligence claim against the NHS:

• A medical professional owed you a duty of care. 
• The medical professional breached their duty. 
• Because of this, you have suffered avoidable harm. 

Speak with our advisors to see whether you might be able to claim compensation. 

What Different Types Of Medical Negligence Claims Could A Solicitor Handle?

Here are a few examples of medical negligence claims that an expert solicitor could handle:

• Prescription errors by a pharmacy. For instance, if a pharmacist accidentally mislabels your prescription, you could receive the wrong medication that you are allergic to. An allergic reaction to medication can lead to anaphylaxis.
• Surgical errors. For instance, if pre-surgical procedures were not carried out correctly, wrong-site surgery could occur involving the wrong part of the body being operated on. This is known as a never event. 
• Missed diagnosis and delayed treatment. For instance, your GP fails to listen to you correctly about the symptoms you’re exhibiting. As a result, they misdiagnose you without sending you for further tests. Your condition becomes worse, and you require more extensive treatment later on.

Medical negligence can occur in many ways. So, to discuss your specific circumstances with us, get in touch today. 

Why Choose Legal Expert To Claim Compensation?

If you get in touch with our team, they can provide a free case assessment during an initial consultation. If they find your case is valid and establishes medical negligence, they could put you in touch with one of our expert No Win No Fee medical negligence solicitors.

There is no obligation to proceed with our services. Instead, an advisor can simply answer any questions you have regarding making a compensation claim, including ‘Can I sue the NHS without a solicitor?’ and the steps you may need to take if you choose not to seek legal representation.

For more information about anything mentioned in our guide, or to discuss your specific case, please get in touch with an advisor using the contact details below:

• Call 0800 073 8804.
• Enquire about making a claim online.
• Message an advisor directly in our live chat box.

Find Out More About Clinical Negligence Claims

Here are a handful of our similar guides:

• See what the time limits are for suing the NHS and check whether you are within the NHS compensation claims time limit.
• Find out how hard it is to prove medical negligence and what evidence is best to collect.
• See how much compensation you could possibly get for a misdiagnosis claim after suffering avoidable harm through negligent care.

These external pages might also help you:

• NHS – Learn how to complain about an NHS service you have received care under.
• Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – What duty of care is required from nurses.
• General Medical Council (GMC) – What good medical practice is required from doctors.

We hope to have answered your questions, such as “Can I sue the NHS without a solicitor?”. If you need any other guidance, please get in touch using the contact details provided above.

A lot of the enquiries we receive relate to medical data breaches, particularly within the NHS. These prompted our investigation into NHS data breach compensation claims.

Below, you can find out how much compensation has been paid out for data breaches by each NHS Trust, as well as the total number of claims made and compensation paid out.

We also uncovered the most prevalent types of data breaches within the UK health sector over the last three years.

Learn More About Making A Medical Data Breach Compensation Claim

If you’ve been impacted by a medical data breach by the NHS, you could be entitled to compensation. You can head here to learn about the eligibility criteria for claiming medical data breach compensation, or you can get in touch with us for free via our live chat or 24-hour helpline.

Here at Legal Expert, we have a team of specialist data breach solicitors who are well-versed in medical and NHS data breach compensation claims. They can help you today too.

How We Conducted Our Research

Legal Expert sent a Freedom of Information Request to NHS Resolution to find out the number of data breach claims lodged against each NHS Trust in the UK.

We also asked for the amount of damages paid out by each trust for such claims in the last three years, the results of which you can see below

Similarly, a request was sent to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to find out the number of data breach incidents reported to them by the healthcare sector as well as the types of data breaches that are most prevalent.

The Most Common Data Breach Types Within The UK Health Sector

The most common data breaches in the health sector in the last two years have been disclosed to Legal Expert by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Between 2022/23, data breaches have skyrocketed by 21% in the UK health sector.

Data breaches reported to the ICO by businesses in the health sector includes; 

• Advisory boards and panels
• Ambulance service
• Commissioning
• Dentists
• General practitioner
• Health research
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals
• Opticians
• Pharmacist
• Primary care
• Private healthcare providers
• Public health
• Representative and arm’s length bodies
• Secondary care

In 2022, a total of 1,607 data breaches were reported to ICO from the health sector, this soared to 1,949 incidents the following year. 

So far this year, between January 1 – March 20, 2024, a total of 505 data breaches have been reported by the health sector to ICO. That’s an average of 168 incidents a month. If the trajectory continues, figures could reach record highs this year of around 2,020.

Legal Expert has ranked the top 10 most common data breach incident types reported to the ICO from the Health Sector between 2022-24.

Definitions as provided by the ICO

Unauthorised access – an unauthorised individual has gained access to personal data. This can include unauthorised disclosures. This incident type is used both in instances where an individual has unlawfully accessed or disclosed information and where a third party has forcibly accessed a system.

Data emailed to incorrect recipient – where an email containing personal data is sent to the wrong email address. This could be data about one person or multiple individuals.

Data posted or faxed to incorrect recipient – where a fax or piece of post containing personal data is sent to the wrong fax number or postal address. This could be data about one person or multiple individuals.

Loss/theft of paperwork or data left in insecure location – papers containing personal data are not secured, for example locking the paperwork in a cabinet or similar; or papers are misplaced or stolen.

Verbal disclosure of personal data – when personal data is shared or disclosed verbally to an inappropriate party.

Ransomware – a type of malware that unlawfully encrypts a user’s files and demands a ransom to unencrypt files, usually in the form of cryptocurrency.

Failure to redact – when personal data was disclosed without the appropriate redaction, or if the redactions made were inadequate.

Phishing – an attempt to obtain information by posing as a trustworthy entity, deceiving recipients into sharing sensitive information (such as usernames, passwords, or credit card details) or by encouraging them to visit a fake website.

Hardware/software misconfiguration – any hardware or software misconfiguration leading to a disclosure of information. For example, permissions on a folder set incorrectly, or failing to use a robot.txt file.

Data of wrong data subject shown in client portal – where personal information about one or more individuals is shown within the Online service area belonging to another person.

The Results Of Our Research Into NHS Data Breach Claims

We send out Freedom of Information Request for every NHS Trust asking for the number of data breach claims and the amount of compensation paid in the last three years.

All NHS Trusts provided the requested information. A total of 897 Data Breach claims were lodged against NHS Trusts between the financial years 2020/21and 2022/23.

In this time period, 418 claims were closed with a compensation payment. The total amount of damages paid by the NHS for these claims was £1,537,295.

Some 212 data breach claims were closed during this period with NIL damages paid out.

Our investigation revealed a total of 20 NHS Trusts paid out thousands in data breach compensation claims in the last three years, find your local trust below.

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust came far and above any other in the UK, with a hefty compensation pay-out total.

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust had 61 claims lodged against it. 

36 claims were made between 2020/21 as well as 19 more the following year. A further 6 data breach claims have been lodged against the trust this year so far (up to March 2024)/

In the last three years, WWL Trust settled 47 claims, paying out a total of £79, 650 – the highest amount of any NHS Trust.

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust paid out the second highest compensation of all UK trusts.

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, seven data breach claims and incidents were reported to ICO regarding the trust. 

In the last three years, the trust settled 5 claims, paying out a total of £46,875.

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust paid out the third highest compensation of all UK trusts.

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust had 5 claims lodged against it, all of which were made between 2022/23.

In the last three years, the trust settled 5 claims, paying out a total of £37,038.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust paid out the fourth highest compensation of all UK trusts.

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust had 5 claims lodged against it, all of which were made between 2022/23.

In the last three years, the trust settled all 5 claims, paying out a total of £30,500.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust paid out the fifth highest compensation of all UK Trusts. 

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust had 16 claims lodged against it, all of which were made between 2020/21.

In the last three years, the trust has settled 9 claims, paying out a total of £29,750.

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust paid out the sixth highest compensation of all UK Trusts. 

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust had 6 claims lodged against it, all of which were made between 2020/21.

In the last three years, the trust has settled 7 claims, paying out a total of £28,500.

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust was also high on the list, paying the seventh highest amount out of all UK trusts.

The trust settled 8 data breach claims in the last three years with a sum of £23,590. 

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

South West Yorkshire Partnership Trust paid out some of the highest compensation amounts of all UK Trusts. 

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, the trust did not have any new claims lodged against it, according to NHS Resolution. 

But, in the last three years, it has settled 5 claims, paying out a total of £22,400.

West London NHS Trust

West London NHS Trust paid out some of the highest compensation amounts of all UK Trusts. 

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, nine data breach claims and incidents were reported to ICO regarding the trust. 

In the last three years, it has settled 5 claims, paying out a total of £22,350.

Mersey Care NHS Trust

Mersey Care NHS Trust paid out some of the highest compensation amounts of all UK Trusts. 

Between the financial years, 2020/21 and 2022/23, nine data breach claims and incidents were reported to ICO regarding the trust. 

In the last three years, it has settled 7 claims, paying out a total of £21,950.

What’s more Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had the second highest number of data breach claims lodged against it during this time. 

40 claims were brought against the trust, all of which were between 2022/23.

It has been widely reported by various religious groups that there has been a sharp rise in the number of hate crimes against members of their faith. It prompted us to conduct our own research into the numbers reported to local police forces across the country.

What Is A Religious Hate Crime?

A religious hate crime is defined as a hostile act that’s motivated by a person’s religious beliefs. It’s important to note that the crime has to be perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by prejudice or hostility.

Get Help If You’ve Been Assaulted Or Injured In A Religiously-Motivated Attack

If you’ve suffered an injury in a physical assault because of your religion or beliefs or perceived religion, you could be entitled to compensation. It’s possible to make a criminal injury claim from a government-funded body called the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

At Legal Expert, we’re specialists in criminal injury compensation claims and we can help you too.

If you’d like to speak with us for free today, please call us on the number at the top of this page, speak with us via our live chat box, or click here to contact us in writing.

How We Conducted Our Research Into Religious Hate Crimes

To conduct our research and obtain the statistics that you can find below, we issued Freedom of Information requests to all police forces in the country.

Of the 44 police forces contacted, 35 (80%) responded within the deadline. We also obtained information from the British Transport Police.

You can find the results of our investigation below.

If you’d like to see a copy of the responses from police forces, please get in touch. We’re happy to share them.

The Results Of Our Research

Below, you can find the results of our research, broken down by police force

Metropolitan Police

The Metropolitan Police reported a rise of 553% in anti-Semitic hate crimes since the Hamas attack on Israel on October, 7, 2023.

In the months after the attack, the UK’s largest police force recorded a total of 1,371 anti-Jewish hate crimes, compared with 210 during the same period the previous year. 

Data obtained via Freedom of Information Request revealed an insight into the landscape of both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate crime levels in the UK

Results suggest a significant rise in anti-Jewish hate crime in larger police force areas since the Hamas attack.

Some forces also recorded a rise in Islamophobic offences, though the picture is more mixed.

A wave of protests against the Gaza war has swept US College Campuses in recent weeks, leading to a huge number of arrests.

Now, UK students are beginning a new round of protests against the Gaza War.

The continued political tensions seem to be reflected in the staggering new figures reported by the Met Police. 

The force revealed that between October 2023 and January 2024, a total 1,371 anti-Semitic hate crimes were logged by the Met Police. 

Figures from the same period the previous year showed a total of 210 such hate crimes recorded by the Met – that is an increase of 553% in the months after the Hamas attack.

Anti-Jewish Hate Crime – Met Police 

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Total
521	413	230	207	1,371
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Total
39	41	36	58	210

The picture was similar for anti-Muslim hate crime during the same time. 

Between October 2023- January 2024, a total of 692 Islamophobic hate crime offences were logged by the Met. 

That’s an increase of 101% compared with the 344 recorded the year before. 

Anti-Muslim Hate Crime – Met Police 

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Total
208	247	123	114	692
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Total
75	66	64	55	344

These figures are further substantiated by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) which confirmed in April that prosecutors charged 10% more hate crime cases in the final three months of 2023.

Figures from the CPS’s Quarter 3 (October-December 2023) data show the increase in charges for hate crime flagged cases compared to the three months before.

Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Kris Venkatasami, the CPS’s Protest Lead said: “The rise in hate crime chargers since the beginning of 2023, but particularly in the last part of the year, is concerning for all communities who are deeply affected by each incident. 

“Hate has no part to play in our society. Our consistently high level of charging demonstrates our determination and independence to seek justice in all cases.”

Greater Manchester Police

In the months after the October 2023 attack, GMP recorded a total of 228 anti-Jewish hate crimes, compared with just 69 during the same period the previous year.

The force revealed that between October 2023 and February 2024,  228 anti-Semitic hate crimes were logged.

Figures from the same period the previous year showed a total of 69 such hate crimes recorded by GMP – that is an increase of 231% in the months after the Hamas attack.

Anti-Jewish Hate Crime – Greater Manchester Police

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Feb 24	Total
82	66	28	26	26	228
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Feb 23	Total
13	11	15	13	17	69

The figures for Islamophobic hate crime during this time showed no significant increase or decrease compared with the previous year.

However, overall numbers show that there were almost triple the number of anti-Muslim hate crimes than anti-Semitic crimes between Oct 22- Feb 23.

Anti-Muslim Hate Crime – Greater Manchester Police 

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Feb 24	Total
38	48	38	29	25	178
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Feb 23	Total
45	37	42	22	32	178

West Midlands Police

In the months after the October 2023 attack, WMP recorded a total of 55 anti-Jewish hate crimes, compared with just 13 during the same period the previous year.

The force revealed that between October 2023 and February 2024, a total 55 anti-Semitic hate crimes were logged.

Figures from the same period the previous year showed a total of 15 such hate crimes recorded by WMP – that is an increase of 323% in the months after the Hamas attack.

Anti-Jewish Hate Crime – West Midlands Police

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Feb 24	Total
19	9	10	9	8	55
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Feb 23	Total
1	2	6	2	2	13

The figures for Islamophobic hate crime during this time show a decrease of 15% compared with the previous year.

However, overall crime incidents are substantially larger than anti-Jewish hate crime. 

The number of anti-Muslim hate crimes during this period are almost triple that of anti-Semitic offences in the West Midlands.

Anti-Muslim Hate Crime – West Midlands Police 

Oct 23	Nov 23	Dec 23	Jan 24	Feb 24	Total
21	36	27	30	26	140
Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Feb 23	Total
38	30	24	34	35	161