Gallbladder & Bile Duct Surgery Negligence Claims

To prove negligence, it’s essential to show that your surgeon or medical team failed to provide care that met an acceptable medical standard and that this failure caused your injury or complications.

Our solicitors will obtain your medical and surgical records, including operation notes, scans, discharge summaries, and correspondence with your healthcare provider. We’ll also arrange an independent medical expert review, usually from a consultant surgeon, to assess whether the care you received was negligent.

You can strengthen your case by keeping your own notes about what happened, for example, when symptoms began, what advice you were given, or how long it took to receive treatment. Photos of surgical wounds or scars can also help illustrate your suffering.

Yes. Bile duct injury is one of the most serious and unfortunately common complications of gallbladder surgery. It can happen when the common bile duct is mistakenly cut or clipped instead of the cystic duct during a cholecystectomy.

This error can cause bile to leak into the abdomen, leading to infection, jaundice, or even liver failure. Most patients require further surgery, sometimes complex reconstructive operations, to repair the damage.

If you’ve suffered a bile duct injury, you may be entitled to claim compensation for:

• The pain and suffering caused by the injury
  
  
• The cost of further corrective surgery and hospital stays
  
  
• Loss of income during recovery
  
  
• Emotional and psychological distress

Our team will investigate exactly what went wrong, consult surgical experts, and pursue a claim to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Yes. Whether your surgery took place under the NHS or in a private healthcare facility, all medical professionals have the same duty of care. If that duty is breached and you suffer harm as a result, you can make a claim.

NHS claims are handled through NHS Resolution, the body responsible for managing medical negligence claims across NHS Trusts. Our solicitors will deal directly with them on your behalf, gathering evidence, issuing the formal Letter of Claim, and negotiating your settlement.

If your procedure was carried out privately, we’ll pursue the claim against the hospital or the surgeon’s insurer. In both cases, we’ll make sure the process is stress-free and that you’re kept informed at every stage.

Yes. If your loved one passed away due to surgical negligence or lacks the mental capacity to bring a claim themselves, you can take legal action on their behalf.

For example, family members can claim for:

• Bereavement damages, awarded under UK law
  
  
• Funeral expenses and related costs
  
  
• Loss of financial dependency, if you relied on their income or care
  
  
• The pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death

Our solicitors will handle your case with compassion and sensitivity, ensuring your family’s voice is heard and your right to justice is protected.

The length of a claim depends on how complex your case is and whether the hospital or doctor accepts responsibility.

In straightforward cases where liability is clear, your claim might settle within 12 to 18 months. More complex or disputed cases, especially those requiring multiple medical reports, can take longer.

Throughout the process, we’ll keep you updated, explain each step, and, where appropriate, seek interim payments so you can cover ongoing treatment or rehabilitation costs, while your case is ongoing.

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It’s very unlikely. Around 95% of medical negligence cases are settled out of court through negotiation. Our team will always work to secure a fair settlement without the stress of court proceedings.

If your case does go to court, we’ll be with you every step of the way, preparing all documentation, instructing experienced barristers, and ensuring you understand the process. We’ll do everything possible to make the experience as straightforward and supportive as possible.

Possibly, yes. You typically have three years from the date you realised your injury was caused by medical negligence (known as the date of knowledge).

However, courts may make exceptions in certain circumstances, for instance, if your condition was discovered late or if you only recently learned that the complication was caused by negligent surgery.

The best way to protect your rights is to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our team can quickly review your case and confirm whether your claim is still within the legal time limit.