Professional negligence happens when a professional fails to meet the standard expected in their field, resulting in loss or damage to their client.
Solicitors, accountants, architects, and other professionals owe a duty of care. If they breach this duty, they may be held legally responsible for the impact on you. Most professionals hold professional indemnity insurance to cover the cost of compensation, legal fees, and other expenses if a client suffers harm due to negligent advice or services.
How to Claim for Professional Negligence
If you think you’ve been let down by a professional, the first step is to get expert legal advice. At CEL Solicitors, we offer a free initial consultation to review your situation and advise if your claim has a strong chance of success. We’ll also explain any time limits that apply—usually six years from the date of negligence or three years from when you became aware of it. If we proceed with your case, our specialist team will carry out a full investigation. This may include reviewing key documents, follow pre-action protocols, and involving expert witnesses to support your claim.
What are the different types of professional negligence claims?
There are a few different ways you can bring a claim for professional negligence, and the right one depends on how the professional let you down.
- Contractual claims: These come from an agreement you had with the professional. If they breached what was promised in the contract and you suffered a loss because of it, you may be able to claim.
- Statutory claims: Some professionals have extra duties set out in the law. If they break these rules and it leads to a loss or injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Tortious claims: These are based on a general duty of care. Even if there was no written contract, you can claim if the professional failed to act with reasonable care and this caused you harm.
