Meningitis negligence claims

Our medical negligence solicitors secure life-changing compensation settlements for children and adults who have suffered severe injury and disability from meningitis as a result of negligent medical or emergency care.

Supporting individuals and families affected by delayed diagnosis or treatment of meningitis.

Meningitis is a serious, life-threatening infection which must be treated very quickly. Healthcare professionals are expected to recognise and respond quickly to the symptoms and signs of meningitis because any delays in diagnosis and treatment can result in severe physical and neurological disability from brain injury, sepsis, and amputation.

If you or your child have suffered severe injury or the loss of a loved one as a result of negligent delays in the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis infection, we can help you claim compensation.

Our medical negligence specialists help clients with severe physical and neurological disability from meningitis secure interim payments and outstanding settlements which pay for care, rehabilitation and therapies, specialist equipment, prostheses and adapted accommodation whilst providing the financial and practical support that our clients need to restore their independence and manage their disability.

Nationally recognised medical negligence specialists with decades of experience
Access to leading medical experts and rehabilitation professionals
Proven track record of securing life-changing compensation for families

Dedicated support from initial enquiry through to settlement
No upfront costs and claim through a no win no fee agreement

Starting your meningitis claim

For more than 30 years, Boyes Turner’s medical negligence solicitors have guided injured patients through the claims process to secure the compensation and specialist support that they need to manage their disability and rebuild their lives.

You can contact us by telephone or by email for free, confidential advice from a medical negligence solicitor. We will ask you to tell us briefly about your injury and your emergency or medical care, and advise you about your time limits and whether we can help you investigate your claim. Once our investigations confirm you have grounds for a claim, we will notify the defendant healthcare provider (usually represented by NHS Resolution) on your behalf and invite them to respond, giving them an opportunity to admit liability (responsibility for your injuries) before court proceedings are issued.

If liability is admitted, we will obtain a judgment from the court and apply for a substantial interim payment to meet your needs arising from your injury and disability. If NHS Resolution deny liability, we will advise you about the best way to proceed with your claim. This may involve issuing court proceedings or inviting NHS Resolution to enter into settlement negotiations or mediation.

Meningitis negligence claims FAQs

What is meningitis?

Meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the protective membranes which cover the brain and spinal cord. This protective covering is called ‘the meninges’. Meningitis is most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections, but can have other causes, such as cancer or fungal infection.

Meningitis is a medical emergency. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of this dangerous condition can lead to the patient’s death or severe, permanent disability.

Who is at risk of meningitis?

Anyone can be affected by meningitis, but those at highest risk include:

babies:

from Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection, E coli, TB or other infection;
if born prematurely before 37 weeks gestation;
whose mother had a high temperature during childbirth;
if born more than 18 hours after their mother’s waters broke (rupture of membranes);
if their mother’s previous child had GBS infection.

young children:

teenagers, young adults and students living away from home for the first time;
older adults with compromised immune systems.

What are the signs of meningitis in babies?

Babies with meningitis may show some or all of the following signs, which may appear in any order:

a high temperature (fever) with cold hands and feet;
vomiting or refusing food;
being unhappy about being handled;
drowsy, sleepy, floppy or unresponsive;
breathing rapidly or grunting;
unusual cry or moaning;
a tense, bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the baby’s head);
neck stiffness;
photophobia (discomfort in bright light);
fits (seizures or convulsions);
pale blotchy skin, spots, or a rash which doesn’t fade in colour when the side of a glass is pressed firmly against the skin.

Many people think of the rash as a classic sign for meningitis, but many people with meningitis infection do not have the rash. Do not wait for the rash to seek urgent medical help if any other signs are present. However, the appearance of the rash is a medical emergency. If it appears, call 999.

What are the signs of meningitis in adults, teenagers or older children?

Teenagers, adults or older children with meningitis may have some but not all of the following signs (in any order):

a high temperature (fever) with cold hands and feet;
drowsy or difficult to wake;
confusion or irritability;
vomiting;
severe muscle pain;
neck stiffness;
severe headache;
photophobia (discomfort in bright light);
fits (seizures or convulsions);
pale blotchy skin, spots or a rash which doesn’t fade in colour when the side of a glass is pressed firmly against the skin.

Do not wait for the skin rash to seek urgent medical help if other signs of meningitis are present. Meningitis can present without a rash, but if it appears, this is a medical emergency – call 999.

What mistakes lead to meningitis medical negligence claims?

As meningitis develops rapidly into life-threatening and permanently disabling injury, meningitis compensation claims most commonly arise from delays in diagnosis, referral, emergency transportation and admission to hospital, or failure by hospital staff to treat the patient urgently with antibiotics.

Meningitis negligence claims often arise when someone has suffered severe injuries or has died after a GP or hospital staff:

delayed or failed to recognise signs and suspect or diagnose meningitis;
delayed or failed to refer or admit the patient to hospital;
failed urgently to provide or delayed treatment with IV antibiotics;
failed to monitor a pregnant woman with group B streptococcus (GBS);
failed to give antibiotics to a pregnant woman with group B streptococcus (GBS):
- where the mother had a GBS urine infection in pregnancy;
- where the mother’s waters broke before 37 weeks gestation;
- where the baby was delivered by caesarean section;
failed to monitor a baby at high risk of developing GBS infection.

What injuries can lead to a meningitis compensation claim?

We are experienced in helping clients recover substantial compensation after meningitis negligence has led to:

death;
brain injury, including cerebral palsy or neonatal brain injury;
limb loss and amputation;
long-term disability, including:
- brain injury and neurological injury;
- loss of hearing;
- blindness or visual impairment;
- epilepsy (seizures or fits);
- learning disability;
- problems with speech and communication.

Where septicaemia or sepsis is also present, additional injuries may include:

organ damage;
scarring;
limb-loss or loss of fingers or toes.

Making a meningitis negligence claim

We understand how daunting it can feel to take the first step. Our specialist medical negligence solicitors are here to guide you through every stage.

Getting in touch

Call us or complete our online enquiry form for free, confidential advice from a specialist meningitis negligence solicitor. We will listen to your concerns, explain your options, and advise whether we can investigate if delays or failures in diagnosis and treatment caused avoidable harm.

The meningitis claim

Our solicitors will review medical records, instruct independent experts, and investigate whether meningitis was recognised and treated appropriately. Where negligence is identified, we can build a claim and, where appropriate, seek an interim payment to support immediate care and rehabilitation needs.

Securing compensation

We provide compassionate support throughout the claims process, working to secure the maximum compensation as quickly as possible to help fund ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, care, therapies, adapted accommodation and other essential support.

Contact us

If you would like advice regarding a serious injury or illness affecting you or a loved one, please complete the form and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.

Rather give us a call:

0800 124 4845

Client story

£27 million settlement

We secured compensation for a child whose brain injury and complex neurological disability was caused by delayed treatment of meningitis.

Our meningitis negligence claims

Our medical negligence team

What our clients say

Won medical negligence

I won my case with the help of Boyes Turner. Prior to doing my research and finding Boyes Turner I tried a different company that you see advertised on the telly for medical negligence, they said that the defendant did everything correctly and left it as that but I knew that wasn’t right, I continued to try other companies but they didn’t want to know. I then researched companies that can specialise in meningitis medical negligence and that’s when I found this company. From the get-go they were absolutely amazing and Julie was assigned to my case. Julie is an amazing woman, I could contact her as and when I needed/wanted and she was always on hand to help clarify or break down anything that I didn’t understand, she was always happy to answer my questions. If Julie wasn’t in the office her team was also on hand to help with anything I needed. Always guaranteed a fast response. My case was ongoing through the pandemic which made it difficult to go out to see a specialist but Julie and her team were working very hard to make meetings happen and organised alternative ways to make them happen. All the people I’ve come across throughout my case have been so lovely. They all want the best outcome for you and get the compensation you deserve. Thank you, Julie and team.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

Worked assiduously and painstakingly

It has been a long haul for you and I thank you most gratefully for all the many hours of work you have put in. Since you took over the case you have worked assiduously and painstakingly through the process to bring it to this satisfactory conclusion. Thank you.

Mr MacMillan

What our clients say

You have given fantastic support and guidance

Boyes Turner have a great asset in Julie Marsh, she has handled my case with such professionalism and has kept me informed at every stage over the 6 years. She has given me guidance, support and that personal touch where I could ring or email at any time and she would always answer and give me answers to any questions I had. Would recommend without hesitation. Thank you

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

Very helpful and diligent

Having never taken legal action before, I found Boyes Turner very helpful and diligent during my injury claim. When I moved to the USA during the case, they were still able to answer all of my concerns and keep me informed, giving me advice every step of the way. I would recommend Boyes Turner to anyone who is considering representation.

Boyes Turner client

What our clients say

Very kind and considerate

Thank you again for all your help with our case, you were very kind and considerate as well as being a professional.

Boyes Turner client

What our clients say

Very Professional

Boyes Turner helped me through one of the toughest times in my life. They were very professional whilst remaining friendly. At times the process was emotionally tough but they were very patient with me and went through everything with me until I understood it. I cannot recommend them enough.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

We cannot praise and thank the team enough

Tara Byrne, Rachel Makore, and the team were nothing but efficient, thorough, empathetic, methodical and clever in their approach to our claim, with a strong eye for seeing both sides of the equation to better equip for our case. When several other solicitors refused to take us on, they did so securing an £800,000 compensation claim which will make us financially secure for our future in light of my injuries sustained, and the financial impact caused both past and present as a direct consequence. This will enable us to continue living as we have been prior to the indexed event without the financial pressures the negligence has led on to. We cannot praise and thank the team enough. We are forever in their debt. Professional from start to finish. Thank you again!

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

We cannot thank Susan and her team at Boyes Turner enough

Words cannot express how grateful we are to Susan and her team for the level of commitment and dedication shown to our family during a time which would be difficult for anyone. Susan demonstrates a calm professional manner which helped us to feel at ease. Her level of knowledge has proven to be the best in the field and we fully recommend her to anyone seeking to investigate birth injury claims. You can be confident that Susan and her team will scrutinise the medical notes thoroughly and will keep you well informed throughout the process. We are very pleased with the outcome of our child’s case and know that her work has resulted in justice being achieved. Our family will now be able to move forward in the knowledge that the finances are securely in place for our child to receive a suitable care package, purchase equipment and receive necessary lifelong therapy. We cannot thank Susan and her team at Boyes Turner enough.

Boyes Turner Client

What our clients say

We had full confidence

Mine was a specialist case – you had the expert who listened, advised and brought in others as required in a highly professional manner. We had full confidence in you.

Mr L

What our clients say

We would all highly recommend them

The support we received from Boyes Turner and our specific solicitors was exceptional. As a family, we would all highly recommend them to anyone. They were consistently knowledgeable, kind and professional throughout, always putting our son at the centre of our fight for justice.

Boyes Turner Client

Why choose Boyes Turner?

Watch the video1min 25secs

Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.

We are nationally acclaimed for our claimant medical negligence expertise and the outstanding results we achieve for our clients.
We are ranked as leading clinical negligence experts in the Chambers Directory and Legal 500 guides to the legal profession and are accredited for our specialist expertise by the Law Society, AvMA, and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

Our integrated multidisciplinary team offers our clients a full range of specialist help with compensation, rehabilitation, SEN, deputyship, personal injury trusts and community care.
We secure maximum compensation in claims for adults and children who have suffered catastrophic injury and severe disability, and provide practical support for their families.

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Sepsis can take hold within hours. If delayed care left you or a loved one injured, or worse, our specialist solicitors can help you find answers and secure the compensation you deserve.

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We are leading specialist cerebral palsy solicitors with proven expertise in helping families secure the compensation, support and future care their children deserve.

Group B Strep

If your baby suffered brain injury, meningitis or sepsis from negligent group B strep care, our specialist solicitors can help you understand what happened and secure compensation.

Accident & emergency

When A&E gets it wrong, the consequences can be devastating. If mistakes left you or a loved one injured, or worse, our specialist solicitors can help you find answers and secure compensation.

Related meningitis negligence insights

Leading medical negligence solicitors for over 30 years

Our solicitors’ expertise in medical negligence claims and their dedication to improving the lives of their injured clients has been recognised by the legal profession and disability charities for over 30 years.

Meningitis negligence claims

Supporting individuals and families affected by delayed diagnosis or treatment of meningitis.

Starting your meningitis claim

Julie Marsh

Meningitis negligence claims FAQs

babies:

young children:

Making a meningitis negligence claim

Getting in touch

The meningitis claim

Securing compensation

Contact us

0800 124 4845

Client story

£27 million settlement

Our meningitis negligence claims

Our medical negligence team

Susan Brown

Julie Marsh

Sita Soni

Tara Pileggi-Byrne

Vanessa Wand

Ben Ireland

Laura Hayes-Payne

Hannah Lindley

Megan Levey

Audrey Elmore

Alice Carley

Nicky Melville

What our clients say

Won medical negligence

What our clients say

Worked assiduously and painstakingly

What our clients say

You have given fantastic support and guidance

What our clients say

Very helpful and diligent

What our clients say

Very kind and considerate

What our clients say

Very Professional

What our clients say

We cannot praise and thank the team enough

What our clients say

We cannot thank Susan and her team at Boyes Turner enough

What our clients say

We had full confidence

What our clients say

We would all highly recommend them

Why choose Boyes Turner?

Related meningitis negligence pages

Brain injury negligence

Neonatal brain injury claims

Claims for limb-loss from infection

Tuberculosis

Sepsis negligence

Cerebral palsy

Group B Strep

Accident & emergency

Related meningitis negligence insights

Leading medical negligence solicitors for over 30 years

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