Professional negligence occurs when a professional fails to meet the expected standard of care in their services or advice, resulting in financial or other harm to their client. Common examples include, but are not limited to :

• Accounting errors, such as incorrect tax filings or financial reporting

• Misleading or deceptive financial or legal advice

• Poor property valuations leading to losses

• Errors in architectural or structural designs causing damages

• Veterinary errors

• Negligence by lawyers, financial advisers, or other professionals

If you’ve experienced any of these issues, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Professional negligence claims can be made against a range of professionals, including, but are not limited to:

• Solicitors and barristers

• Financial advisers and accountants

• Insurance brokers

• Architects and engineers

• Property valuers and conveyancers

• Surveyors and construction professionals

If you’ve suffered loss due to the negligence of any of these professionals, our team can help evaluate your claim and guide you through the process.

Compensation for professional negligence aims to restore you, as closely as possible, to the financial position you would have been in if the negligence had not occurred. This can include:

• Past and future financial loss caused by the professional’s breach of duty.

• Costs of engaging other professional services to rectify the mistakes or omissions.

• Legal fees incurred while pursuing your claim.

• Other expenses resulting from the negligence, such as penalties or additional costs directly linked to the breach.

Determining the exact compensation requires expert legal advice, as it depends on the specifics of your case. Consulting with a professional negligence lawyer early ensures the best chance of achieving the compensation you deserve.

While it is possible to handle a professional negligence claim without a lawyer, it is not recommended. These claims can be legally complex and require a thorough understanding of professional standards, breach of duty, causation, and the calculation of financial losses. Navigating these complexities without legal expertise can put your claim at risk and result in an outcome that may not fully compensate you for your losses.

A professional negligence lawyer at Lee Brothers Legal will assess whether the person or business that provided you a service has breached their duty of care and determine your eligibility to pursue a compensation claim. Our dedicated legal team will explore all possible avenues to recover your financial losses and advise if litigation is the right path, ensuring we minimise risks and strive for the best possible outcome for you.

The timeframe for resolving a professional negligence claim depends on the complexity of your case. Once our lawyers confirm that your claim has reasonable prospects of success and is financially viable, we will provide you with a comprehensive written advice and proposal.

This will include:

• An estimated timeframe for resolving your case, stated in plain language.

• A clear breakdown of potential costs, tailored to your case.

Typically, most professional negligence claims are resolved within 6 to 18 months from the time the claim officially starts. However, if the case proceeds to trial (which is uncommon), the process may take an additional 6 to 12 months.

We understand that costs can increase if a claim progresses to court, but we strive minimise expenses wherever possible. Our goal is to keep you fully informed at every step, ensuring transparency about both timelines and fees.