To start a medical negligence claim in Bristol, you generally need to show that a healthcare professional breached their duty of care and caused you avoidable harm. Gather your medical records, treatment dates and relevant correspondence, then speak to a solicitor regulated by the SRA who handles clinical negligence. The usual time limit is three years from the treatment or from when you knew, or should reasonably have known, that negligence may have caused your injury, although exceptions can apply. An NHS complaint is separate and does not usually extend the legal time limit, so seek advice promptly.