Cardiology Negligence Compensation Claims
Check if you can claim compensation
If a heart problem or heart attack was missed, misdiagnosed, or treated too late, and it left you worse off, you may be able to claim. We handle cardiology negligence compensation claims and cardiac negligence claims across the UK, including claims for a loved one who has died, and we will explain your options clearly and with care.
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Can you make a cardiology negligence claim?
Cardiology negligence means heart care that fell below a reasonable standard and caused harm. It can involve a heart attack that was missed or misdiagnosed, a heart condition spotted too late, a misread ECG or blood test, a delay in treatment, or a mistake during a procedure.
You may be able to make a cardiology negligence compensation claim if the care you received fell short and that caused you avoidable harm. Two things have to be shown: that the care fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent clinician, and that the shortfall made a difference to your health. That applies whether you are bringing a heart attack negligence claim, a claim about a heart condition missed too long, or a claim about treatment that went wrong. Not every poor outcome is negligent, because heart disease can progress even when care is good, so our team will look honestly at what happened and tell you whether you have a claim. Most cardiac negligence claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
How cardiology negligence happens
Heart symptoms can be easy to dismiss, and time matters. Many cardiac negligence claims come from a heart attack or heart condition being missed at the first assessment, an ECG or troponin blood test being misread, or a referral to a cardiologist being delayed when the warning signs were there. Medical negligence involving a heart attack usually comes down to a delay, or a sign that was there and was not acted on.
Others follow a mistake in treatment, such as the wrong medication or dose, a delay in cardiac surgery or a procedure like angioplasty, or a problem with a pacemaker or defibrillator. Some claims follow a cardiac arrest that was not recognised, or not responded to quickly enough. Where the care fell short and left you worse off, you may be entitled to claim.
higher chance for women than men of a wrong initial diagnosis after a heart attack
Heart attacks are missed more often than people expect, and a wrong or delayed diagnosis can change the outcome. Where negligent care caused avoidable harm, that harm may form part of a cardiology negligence claim.
Types of cardiology negligence we help with
These are some of the most common cardiac negligence claims we see. If what happened to you is not listed, it is still worth asking.
Missed or misdiagnosed heart attack
Chest pain or other symptoms put down to something less serious, so a heart attack is missed or diagnosed too late.
Misread tests or scans
An ECG, troponin blood test, echocardiogram or angiogram that was misread or not acted on, delaying the right care.
Delayed diagnosis or referral
A heart condition such as coronary heart disease, angina, heart failure, an arrhythmia or a valve problem left undiagnosed, or a cardiology referral that came too late. Where an infection was missed alongside it, see our page on sepsis medical negligence claims.
Medication errors
The wrong heart medication, wrong dose, or a mistake with blood thinners such as warfarin, causing avoidable harm.
Cardiac surgery or procedure errors
Avoidable mistakes during cardiac surgery such as a bypass, angioplasty or stenting, or a delay in carrying out urgent treatment. A cardiac surgery negligence claim turns on what a competent surgical team should have done at the time.
Pacemaker or device problems
A pacemaker or implantable defibrillator (ICD) fitted, checked or managed poorly, or a device problem that was not picked up.
The harm can range from a longer recovery and extra treatment to lasting damage to the heart, reduced heart function, or a permanent loss of the activity you had before. Tell us what happened and we will let you know where you stand.
Fatal cardiac negligence claims
When someone dies because a heart problem was missed or badly treated, the people they leave behind can be left with painful questions. If negligent care played a part, close family members and dependants may be able to bring a claim.
A claim can be made on behalf of the person’s estate and by those who depended on them. The law also provides a fixed bereavement award for certain close relatives. We handle these claims gently, at your pace, and we can explain who is able to claim and what the process involves.
- The pain and suffering your loved one went through
- Funeral costs and related expenses
- The loss of their income and support to the family
- The statutory bereavement award, where it applies
Time limits for fatal claims usually run from the date of death or the date the family learned negligence may have been involved.
- The injury itself and any lasting damage to your heart
- Further treatment, rehabilitation and care
- Lost earnings, now and in the future
- Help at home and any adaptations you need
How much compensation for cardiology negligence?
There is no single figure, and no reliable average. Cardiac compensation claims are valued on the harm the poor care caused, how it has affected your health and your life, and the financial impact that followed. A delay that was put right is very different from lasting damage to the heart.
We will never promise a set amount. Once medical evidence sets out what happened and how it has affected you, your solicitor can explain what your cardiology negligence claim may include.
Evidence that supports your claim
Cardiology negligence claims rely on your medical records and expert evidence, so most of the work is ours. You do not need to gather everything together before you get in touch about a cardiac claim.
Not sure you have enough? Get in touch anyway. We can request your records and arrange the independent expert evidence for you.
Time limits for a cardiac negligence claim
Most cardiology negligence claims must be started within three years. The clock usually runs from the date of the negligent care, or from the date you first realised that the care may have caused the harm, whichever is later. That second date matters in heart cases, because a missed diagnosis is often only identified much later.
The safest assumption is that the deadline is sooner than you think. Records need requesting and an independent cardiologist needs instructing, and both take time. If you are unsure where you stand, ask us before you assume it is too late.
Where the three years does not apply
- Children Time does not start running until the child's eighteenth birthday, so a claim can usually be brought until they turn 21.
- Someone who lacks capacity Where a person lacks the capacity to conduct legal proceedings, the time limit does not start while that remains the case.
- Fatal claims The three years usually runs from the date of death, or from the date the personal representative first knew negligence may have been involved.
- The court's discretion A court can allow a claim outside the time limit where it considers it fair to do so, though this is not something to rely on.
How long does a cardiology negligence claim take?
It depends on what happened and whether the care is admitted. A claim about a short delay that was put right can conclude in well under a year. A claim involving lasting damage to the heart takes longer, because the medical evidence has to show how you are likely to be affected in the long term, and settling before that is clear risks undervaluing the claim.
resolved without court proceedings
Across all clinical negligence claims in England, NHS Resolution reported this for 2024/25. Court is the exception, not the expectation, and most people never see a courtroom.
What moves the timeline
- ↓ Faster. The care is admitted early, your records arrive promptly, and the effect on your health is already settled.
- ↑ Slower. Liability is denied, more than one clinician or trust is involved, or your long-term heart function is still being assessed.
- ↑ Slower. A fatal claim where an inquest has to conclude before the civil claim can properly be valued.
What we can promise is that you will know where your claim stands. We will tell you what we are waiting for and why, and we will not let a case sit still. If you want to understand the wider process first, see our guide on whether you can sue the NHS for medical negligence.
No Win No Fee cardiology negligence claims
You can start a cardiology negligence compensation claim without paying anything upfront. If your claim is unsuccessful, you will not pay a fee for our work, subject to the terms of your agreement.
If your claim succeeds, an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation. Our cardiac negligence solicitors will explain this clearly, in writing, before you commit to anything.
You will see the full terms in writing before your claim begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before starting your claim.
Can you claim compensation for cardiology negligence?
You may be able to, if your heart care fell below a reasonable standard and that caused you avoidable harm. Not every poor outcome is negligent, because heart disease can progress even with good care, so both parts need to be shown: that the care fell short, and that it made a difference to your health. Our team can assess whether you have a cardiology negligence claim.
Can I claim for a misdiagnosed or missed heart attack?
Often, yes. A misdiagnosed heart attack claim usually turns on whether your symptoms, your ECG or your troponin blood test should have led to a different decision at the time. If earlier treatment would have limited the damage to your heart, that difference is what the claim is about.
How much compensation can you get for cardiology negligence?
There is no average worth quoting, and we will not promise a figure. Cardiac compensation claims are valued on the harm the poor care caused, the effect on your health and your life, and the money you have lost. Your solicitor can explain the likely range once the medical evidence is in.
Can I claim on behalf of someone who has died from cardiac negligence?
Yes. A claim can be brought on behalf of the person’s estate, and separately by those who depended on them. Certain close relatives may also be entitled to the statutory bereavement award. We will explain who is able to claim and handle it at your pace.
Will making a claim affect my NHS care?
It should not. You are entitled to NHS treatment whether or not you bring a claim, and a claim is handled by NHS Resolution rather than by your treating team. If you would rather be seen elsewhere, you can ask about that separately.
How long do I have to make a cardiology negligence claim?
Usually three years from the negligent care, or from when you first realised it may have caused the harm. The rules are different for children, for anyone who lacks the capacity to claim, and for fatal claims. There is more detail in the time limits section above.
Can I claim for cardiac surgery negligence?
Yes, if the surgical care fell below a reasonable standard and that caused you avoidable harm. Cardiac surgery carries real risk even when it is done well, so a poor outcome on its own is not enough. A cardiac surgery negligence claim needs an independent cardiac surgeon to say what a competent team should have done, and we arrange that evidence.
Can I make a claim after a cardiac arrest?
Possibly. A cardiac arrest is not in itself evidence of negligence. What matters is whether the warning signs were recognised, whether monitoring was adequate, and whether the response was quick enough. If a cardiac arrest was missed, or treatment was delayed when it should not have been, that may support a claim.
Do you handle cardiac negligence claims across the UK?
Yes. We act for clients throughout England and Wales, and nothing about a cardiac negligence claim requires you to live near us. Most of a claim is handled by phone, email and post, with your records requested and your expert evidence arranged on your behalf.
Check if you can make a cardiology negligence claim
If something went wrong with your heart care, talk to us. We will review what happened, explain honestly whether you may have a claim, and you decide what happens next. No pressure, no obligation.
- Free, no-obligation review
- No Win No Fee available
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Not sure if you have a claim?
Most cardiology negligence compensation claims must be started within three years, but the rules are different for children, for anyone who lacks the capacity to claim, and for fatal claims. A free, confidential chat is the simplest way to find out where you stand, with no pressure and no obligation to go ahead.
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