A medical negligence claim usually starts with a solicitor reviewing your circumstances and medical records to assess whether care fell below a reasonable standard and caused avoidable harm. Independent medical experts may be asked to provide evidence, after which the solicitor normally sends a formal letter to the healthcare provider, who investigates and responds. If responsibility is accepted, compensation may be negotiated; if not, court proceedings might be needed, although many claims settle before trial. Time limits commonly involve three years from the treatment or from when you knew, or ought reasonably to have known, about the injury, so consider speaking promptly to a solicitor regulated by the SRA.