How long will it take?

It is very difficult to say how long the claim might take. 

This depends to some extent on the other sides view of your claim. If they know they were at fault and are prepared to admit this, then it is a matter for your solicitor to obtain the necessary clinical experts reports to asses the extent of the physical or emotional injury to you and then to negotiate a settlement or if this is not possible, to ask the Judge to assess the damages. 

This could be done fairly quickly but it is unlikely even in a straightforward case it could take 6-12 months

If a clinical negligence claim is defended and has to go to trial, then again the length of time which the claim may take will depend upon the difficulty of the claim. 

A claim which is defended on the questions of negligence and damages could take up to three years. 

The minimum length of time which a claim might take would be about 18 months. 

Why does it take this long? 

There are a number of reasons. 

Clinical experts are busy people. It sometimes takes several months before they can prepare a report and it is often necessary to have an interview with a Barrister and it can sometimes take time to get all the parties together for an appointment.