All professionals, whether solicitors, financial advisers, accountants, architects, or surveyors, are expected to provide high levels of expertise and care to their clients. Where their failure to meet those standards has resulted in a loss to you as a business or as an individual, you may be entitled to compensation.
If you feel that your professional advisor has made a mistake, we can discuss with you your particular situation and advise on whether you have a professional negligence claim. We strongly focus on seeking to settle the dispute by negotiation or mediation to avoid costly and time-consuming litigation. We have the necessary expertise to handle your claim as quickly and as efficiently as possible. We can advise whether a mistake has been made and whether that mistake can be remedied.
If litigation cannot be avoided, we can advise and, where appropriate, offer conditional fee agreements backed up by after-the-event insurance.
Legal advice should be sought as soon as possible, as in most claims of this nature. A claim should be brought within six years from the date of the negligence. Occasionally, this may be extended where the negligence only becomes apparent at a later date. In those cases, the relevant limitation period is three years from the date of knowledge of the facts, with an extended stop date of 15 years.
Our solicitors specialising in professional negligence can provide expert assistance in matters that include:
- Professional negligence claims against solicitors
- Professional negligence claims against accountants
- Professional negligence claims against architects
- Professional negligence claims against surveyors
- Professional negligence claims against financial advisers
Speak to a Professional Negligence Specialist today
If you are looking for more information or would like to discuss whether you have a professional negligence claim, please call us on 023 8063 9311 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk
How our professional negligence team can help you
Professional negligence claims against solicitors
Professional negligence claims against solicitors arise when clients believe that their solicitors have breached the duty of care owed to them, leading to financial loss or other damages. These claims may result from errors, mistakes, or inadequate representation during legal proceedings. Such cases are typically addressed through litigation or alternative dispute resolution methods to seek compensation for the client's losses.
At Warner Goodman, our solicitors can assist with professional negligence claims against other solicitors by providing legal representation and guidance throughout the claims process. Our expertise ensures your rights are protected, and you have the best chance of obtaining fair compensation for your losses.
Professional negligence claims against accountants
Professional negligence claims against accountants occur when clients believe their accountants have breached their duty of care, leading to financial harm or other losses. These claims may result from errors, omissions, or inadequate advice the accountant provides. Addressed through legal channels, these claims seek to recover damages incurred due to the accountant's negligence.
Our solicitors can assist with professional negligence claims against accountants by providing legal expertise and support throughout the process. Our knowledge and experience ensure our clients have a strong case to seek compensation for any financial losses caused by an accountant's negligence.
Professional negligence claims against architects
Professional negligence claims against architects arise when clients allege that an architect has failed to meet the required standard of care, resulting in financial losses or other damages. These claims typically involve architectural project errors, omissions, or design flaws. Legal proceedings or negotiations with the architect's professional indemnity insurers are pursued to seek compensation for the losses incurred.
Our solicitors can provide essential assistance with professional negligence claims against architects. Our expertise ensures our clients receive proper guidance and representation throughout the claims process.
Professional negligence claims against surveyors
Professional negligence claims against surveyors occur when clients believe a surveyor's work has been substandard or negligent, leading to financial losses or other damages. These claims may result from inaccurate surveys, failure to identify defects in a property, or providing inadequate advice. These claims are typically pursued through legal channels to seek compensation for the losses suffered by the client.
Our solicitors can provide valuable assistance with professional negligence claims against surveyors. Our expertise ensures our clients have a strong case to seek compensation for any financial losses resulting from the surveyor's negligence.
Professional negligence claims against financial advisers
Professional negligence claims against financial advisors arise when clients allege their advisors have provided negligent or inadequate advice, leading to financial losses or other damages. These claims may involve misrepresenting financial products, failure to disclose risks or inappropriate investment recommendations. To succeed in such claims, clients must show that the financial advisor breached their duty of care. Legal avenues are pursued to seek compensation for the losses incurred due to the advisor's negligence.
Our solicitors can be instrumental in professional negligence claims against financial advisors. Our expertise ensures our clients have a strong case to seek compensation for financial losses caused by the advisor's negligent advice, guiding them throughout the claims process to achieve the best possible outcome.
Why work with our professional negligence team?
At Warner Goodman, we are proud to confirm our excellence has been recognised and acknowledged through the Law Society's Lexcel accreditation after a thorough audit of how the overall team works. This includes our client care, risk management, file and case management, people management, structure and strategy, information management and financial management.
Professional Negligence FAQs
What is professional negligence? Professional negligence refers to a breach of duty of care by a professional towards their client, resulting in substandard or inadequate services that cause harm, financial loss, or damage. This negligence typically occurs when a professional fails to meet the accepted standards and skills expected in their field of expertise. Professionals who can be held liable for negligence include solicitors, doctors, accountants, architects, engineers, and others offering specialised services. This area of law protects clients and maintains professional standards, ensuring accountability and redress when professional services fall below the expected level of competence and care.
How do you prove professional negligence?Proving professional negligence typically involves establishing specific elements of the claim through a legal process. To succeed in a professional negligence case, the following key aspects need to be demonstrated:
- Duty of care: Show that there was a professional-client relationship, creating a legal obligation for the professional to exercise a reasonable standard of care.
- Breach of duty: Prove that the professional failed to meet the expected standard of care, as judged by the standards of their industry and peers.
- Causation: Establish a direct link between the professional's breach of duty and the harm or loss suffered by the client.
- Damages: Demonstrate measurable financial or other losses that resulted from the professional's negligence.
Evidence such as documentation, expert opinions, witness testimonies, and industry standards may be used to support the case. Legal experts, like solicitors with experience in professional negligence claims, can guide clients through the process and help build a strong case to seek appropriate compensation or redress.
Who can bring a professional negligence claim?A professional negligence claim can be brought by any individual or entity that has suffered harm or financial loss due to the negligence of a professional. The claimant may be a client who directly engaged the services of the professional or a third party who reasonably relied on the professional's advice or actions and subsequently incurred damages.
Common examples of claimants in professional negligence cases include:
- Clients of professionals, such as solicitors, accountants, architects, engineers, doctors, or financial advisors, who received substandard services leading to harm or loss.
- Third parties who were not direct clients but relied on the professional's work or advice were subsequently affected by their negligence.
- Executors or administrators of an estate who believe the deceased suffered losses due to professional negligence during their lifetime.
What is the difference between negligence and professional negligence?The main difference between negligence and professional negligence lies in the context of the wrongdoing and the standard of care expected.
Negligence, in general, refers to the failure of an individual to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm or damage to another person or their property. It is a breach of the duty of care owed to others, and the standard of care expected is that of a reasonable person in similar circumstances.
On the other hand, professional negligence pertains explicitly to the breach of duty by a professional (e.g., solicitors, doctors, architects, accountants) while providing their specialised services. The standard of care for professionals is higher and based on the level of competence and skill expected within their particular field. When a professional fails to meet this higher standard and causes harm or loss to a client, it can lead to a claim of professional negligence.
While both types involve a breach of duty and harm caused, professional negligence applies specifically to cases where the negligence occurs within the context of professional services.
How much could you claim for professional negligence?The amount you can claim for professional negligence varies significantly and depends on the specific circumstances of each case. The claimant's potential compensation seeks to recover the losses and damages from the professional's negligence.
The claim's value may include direct financial losses, such as costs incurred to rectify mistakes, lost profits, or the cost of obtaining alternative professional services. In some cases, it may also encompass non-economic damages like emotional distress or reputational harm.
Various factors are considered to determine the appropriate compensation, including the extent of the negligence, the severity of the harm caused, the available evidence, and the expert opinions supporting the claim.
Professional negligence claims can range from a few thousand pounds in minor cases to substantial sums in complex cases involving significant financial losses or personal injury. Claimants need to seek legal advice from experienced solicitors specialising in professional negligence to assess their claim's potential value accurately.
Speak to our professional negligence specialists today
If you are looking for more information or would like to discuss whether you have a professional negligence claim, please call us on 023 8063 9311 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk
