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Professionals are required to deliver services to a certain standard. Failing to do so can result in significant consequences. TV Edwards’ professional negligence solicitors in London help clients get compensation for losses caused by substandard professional services, ensuring they receive the appropriate compensation.
What is Professional Negligence?
Professional negligence occurs when a professional fails to deliver services to the expected standard, causing another individual to suffer loss.
At TV Edwards, our professional negligence solicitors work with and guide clients through the claims process, wherein individuals and businesses can recover compensation for financial (or other) damages.
To succeed, you must prove that, on the balance of probabilities:
- A duty of care existed (such as a client-solicitor relationship), supported by evidentiary documents like retainers and terms of business.
- The professional breached this duty by falling below the expected standard.
- The breach directly caused your loss.
- The loss was reasonably foreseeable at the time of the contract.
You must follow the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol and file within six years (extendable in some cases). The court may award damages to restore your position, often recoverable via professional indemnity insurance. Mitigate losses promptly, as unaddressed damages are unclaimable.
Our professional negligence solicitors offer expert support for claims against accountants, surveyors, or solicitors, ensuring robust cases. Explore our broader dispute resolution services.
Contact us to discuss your case.
Why Professional Negligence Claims Arise
Claims can arise for a number of reasons, including but not limited to errors, misjudgments, or failures to follow industry standards.
For example, an accountant may miscalculate taxes, or a surveyor may overlook structural issues, leading to the loss of a lot of money. Without legal interventions, these issues can escalate, creating more conflict and distress.
Common Professional Negligence Claims
Our professional negligence solicitors handle claims against various professionals, including:
- Solicitors: Errors in conveyancing, missed deadlines, or poor advice in litigation.
- Accountants: Incorrect tax filings, audit failures, or financial misadvice leading to losses.
- Surveyors: Financial loss can be caused by a failure to identify property defects, such as structural issues or damp.
- Financial Advisors: Missold investments or pensions due to negligent advice.
- Architects: Design flaws or project mismanagement that causes costly delays or repairs.
It’s typical for these claims to involve complex evidence, requiring expert legal support to achieve a fair outcome.
When to Seek Legal Advice
If you suspect professional negligence, it’s best to seek legal advice as soon as possible. By taking action quickly, you can strengthen your claim, especially since it will likely need to be brought within six years. Our team will assess it and determine whether negligence has occurred, guiding you through the next steps.
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How We Handle Professional Negligence Claims
The professional negligence solicitors at TV Edwards provide specialised support, adapted to every individual case, to ensure claims are successful. Our process includes:
- Case Assessment: We review contracts, communications, and evidence to establish a duty of care breach.
- Expert Advice: We explain your rights and the likelihood of success under the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol.
- Evidence Gathering: We collect the opinions of experts, alongside relevant documentation, to support your claim.
- Negotiation: We engage with the professional or their insurer to secure a settlement, often using alternative dispute resolution.
- Court Representation: If necessary, we’ll represent you in court to pursue damages. We will only do this as a last resort, however, and will pursue less confrontational and costly means first.
Post-Resolution Support: We assist with enforcing awards or recovering legal costs.
Our approach ensures clarity and efficiency, as seen in our case studies. We may also use injunctions to secure assets during the claim process.
Preventing Professional Negligence Issues
There are a number of proactive steps to be taken to lower the risk of professional negligence:
- Clear Agreements: Ensure contracts with professionals outline duties, timelines, and expectations.
- Regular Communication: Open dialogue should be maintained, allowing for issues to be resolved early without any misunderstandings. Clarity is key.
- Due Diligence: Before engaging the services of a professional, check their credentials and insurance.
- Document Everything: Keep records of all interactions, as any or all could be crucial if a claim arises.
Drawing on our expertise in commercial property disputes, TV Edwards’ team provides advice on the best practices to reduce risks.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
- Highly ranked in legal directories – Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers UK
- Proven success – A track record of securing favourable settlements and court wins
- Cost-effective solutions – We prioritise practical resolutions to keep costs manageable
- Specialist expertise – Dedicated teams for commercial, civil and property litigation
- Client-first approach – Clear, honest legal advice from start to finish
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Professional Negligence FAQs
What is professional negligence?
When a professional fails to meet the expected standard(s), causing loss to another person.
[insert read more button to drop to further information answering the question]
Professional negligence occurs if a professional breaches their duty of care, resulting in financial or other damages. The professional negligence solicitors at TV Edwards help prove that the breach happened, then recover compensation.
How can professional negligence solicitors help?
They assess your case, gather evidence, negotiate settlements, and represent you in court.
Our professional negligence solicitors guide you through the entire claims process, maintaining compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol. Our aim is to secure fair and satisfactory compensation efficiently, minimising stress and costs where possible.
What types of professionals can be held liable for negligence?
Solicitors, accountants, surveyors, financial advisors, and architects, among others.
Any professional with a duty of care can be liable for professional negligence, including those in legal, financial, or property sectors. We handle claims against various professionals to recover your losses.
How long do I have to make a professional negligence claim?
Typically, professional negligence claims are valid for six years following the date of the negligence.
The limitation period for professional negligence claims is usually six years, but this can be extended in certain cases, such as late discovery of the issue. Our solicitors ensure timely filing so that no deadlines are missed.
What compensation can I claim for professional negligence?
Financial losses, legal costs, and sometimes damages for distress.
Compensation in professional negligence claims covers losses like financial damage or additional costs, and will often be backed by the professional’s indemnity insurance. At TV Edwards, we help maximise your recovery.
To see how we can help you, contact our team, and we’ll take you through it, step-by-step.
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