Hip Replacement Claims

Can I sue for a failed hip replacement?

Hip replacement surgeries are relatively common procedures, with 73,540 being carried out in England from April 2022 to March 2023. But as with any major surgery, there are risks involved.

Most people will recover from a hip replacement after about six weeks. But if you’ve suffered from unexpected complications, you could have grounds to make a hip replacement claim. This might apply if:

• Mistakes were made during your hip replacement operation
• You didn’t receive the right level of aftercare
• You had an infection that wasn’t recognised by medical professionals
• You received the wrong type or size of hip implant
• You weren’t properly informed of the risks involved
• Your surgeon failed to inform you of treatments that may have been more suitable

To find out if you could be entitled to compensation, get in touch with our knowledgeable legal services advisors . They’ll ask you a few straightforward questions and let you know if they think you could have a strong claim.

Why should I make a hip replacement claim?

If you’ve had a hip replacement, it’s likely you were in a significant amount of pain before undergoing the operation. This can make it even more devastating when things don’t go as you’d hoped.

We understand that making a claim won’t undo what’s happened. But it could help you to cover the cost of medical expenses and corrective surgery. And if you’ve had to take time off work because of a failed hip replacement, your compensation will also take into account your lost earnings.

By taking legal action, you’ll be highlighting the medical errors that led to your claim, too. This means the hospital that treated you will be prompted to investigate what happened and make changes so that the same thing doesn’t happen to anyone else.

How can First4Lawyers help?

Our medical negligence solicitors are experienced in hip replacement claims. They’ll speak to you about what happened and build a case on your behalf, so you’ll have the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

We know the thought of making a claim for compensation can be daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with the pain caused by your operation. Our solicitors know this too, and they’ll do everything they can to take the stress out of the claims process. So you can focus on your recovery.

For these types of claims, we work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there will be nothing to pay upfront and no cost to you if your claim is unsuccessful.

Hip replacement claims FAQs

How much compensation will I get for a failed hip replacement?

If your hip replacement claim is successful, the amount of compensation you receive will depend on your individual circumstances. But usually, settlements are split into two parts – general damages and special damages:

• General damages*
  This part of your compensation will account for the pain and suffering caused by your failed hip replacement. It will also consider the impact on your quality of life if you now have reduced mobility, or if you are facing a corrective surgery.
• Special damages
  Special damages are there to compensate you for any financial losses you’ve suffered due to issues with your hip replacement. This could range from lost earnings if you’ve been unable to work, to the cost of trips to and from hospital.

*For a rough estimate of how much your claim could be worth in general damages, try our free compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit on when I can make a hip replacement claim?

There’s usually a three-year time limit for making a hip replacement claim. This could be three years from the surgery, or from when you first became aware that negligence had taken place.

While three years might sound like a long time, it’s always best to seek legal advice sooner rather than later. If nothing else, this will let you know where you stand from a legal perspective. So you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether to pursue a claim.

To find out more about the deadlines surrounding these types of claims, read our free guide.

I think I have a hip replacement claim – what should I do?

If you think something might have gone wrong with your hip replacement, try to get a second medical opinion as soon as possible. While it can be tempting to wait and see if things get better on their own, further damage could be done if you don’t get the right care straight away.

Next, you could consider making a hip replacement claim. Our friendly legal services advisors are here to answer any questions you may have about the claims process. And if we think you could have a case for compensation, we’ll ask if you’d like to be put in touch with one of our expert solicitors.

This decision will be entirely up to you. And there will always be the option to call us back if you need more time to think things over.

To find out more about how we could help you, get in touch with us on the number at the top of the screen, request a callback or fill in our quick and easy form.