By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 23rd July 2025. Our guide discusses meningitis negligence claims and explains the criteria you must satisfy to seek compensation for medical negligence. We use illustrative examples to note when medical negligence could occur and highlight different forms of evidence that could support a claim.
As the guide continues, you can learn about how compensation can cover the harm you suffered and the financial loss resulting from it. Finally, we note how you could benefit from the guidance of a specialist solicitor.
Our advisors could give you more information and insight into whether you have a legitimate claim, all without charge or an obligation to start legal action. Choose any of these routes to reach us:
- Phone 0800 073 8804.
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Select A Section
- Can I Make A Meningitis Negligence Claim?
- What Are The Different Types Of Meningitis?
- Examples Of Meningitis Negligence
- What Information Could Help Support Your Case?
- How Is Compensation In Meningitis Negligence Claims Calculated?
- Contact Us To Learn More About No Win No Fee Meningitis Negligence Claims
- Further Medical Negligence Claim Resources
Can I Make A Meningitis Negligence Claim?
When a medical professional diagnoses, treats, or prescribes medicine for meningitis, they owe the patient a duty of care. This duty involves providing patients with the correct standard of care. Meningitis negligence claims could be brought when professionals fail to meet that standard and patients suffer unnecessary harm as a consequence.
To be eligible to make a medical negligence claim following meningitis negligence, the following eligibility criteria must be satisfied:
- A medical professional owed you a duty of care.
- They failed in their duty by not reaching the correct standard of care.
- This resulted in you suffering avoidable physical and/or mental harm.
How Long Could You Have To Claim?
Submitting the claim within the time frame set out by the Limitation Act 1980 is also important for establishing its eligibility. Generally, a claim must be started within 3 years of either the negligence occurring or the date that you became aware of it.
Certain extenuating circumstances may extend the timeframe for initiating legal action. To learn more about what can affect the timeframe for meningitis negligence claims, please call us at the number above.
What Are The Different Types Of Meningitis?
Depending on the cause, there can be multiple different types of meningitis, including:
- Bacterial Meningitis: Usually requires urgent hospitalisation due to its seriousness. While the bacteria themselves may be harmless, they cause meningitis once they enter the bloodstream and spread rapidly to the brain or spinal cord.
- Viral Meningitis: Although more common than bacterial meningitis, it is generally not a serious condition. Individuals who have this type of meningitis can make a recovery without treatment.
- Fungal Meningitis: While rare, fungal meningitis is more likely to happen to somebody who already has a compromised immune system due to another disease, such as AIDS. Those who have undergone chemotherapy can also be more susceptible.
- Neonatal Meningitis: This is life-threatening and is classified as early onset or late onset, depending on the gap between birth and the disease. It occurs within the first 28 days of a baby’s life and causes the layers of the brain and spinal cord to become inflamed.
- Listeria Meningitis: The bacteria responsible for this form of meningitis can be found in certain types of foods, such as unpasteurised soft cheeses and shellfish. This type of meningitis is more likely to occur in babies, older people, or those with a weakened immune system.
Since some of the symptoms of meningitis may overlap with other conditions, a correct and timely diagnosis is vital. If that doesn’t happen due to substandard care, causing unnecessary suffering, then it may constitute meningitis negligence.
The sections ahead will highlight examples of how meningitis negligence claims might arise, together with the steps involved in pursuing compensation. Read on to learn more and contact our advisors to discuss your case in detail.
Examples Of Meningitis Negligence
Meningitis is an infection affecting the tissue around the brain and spinal cord. Many of its early symptoms are similar to other illnesses, so medical professionals may need to carry out tests to identify it. If it is not treated quickly, complications can include sepsis, brain and nerve damage, hearing loss, amputation of extremities or even death.
Here we look at how patients could suffer through negligent meningitis treatment:
- A doctor misdiagnoses your meningitis as influenza because they do not pay attention to the symptoms you are experiencing. This allows the meningitis to worsen and cause permanent brain damage.
- A doctor confuses you with a patient suffering from a different condition and puts you on the wrong medication. It is ineffectual, and you develop sepsis, eventually losing a hand and a foot.
- You are waiting for test results, but your blood samples are misplaced. By the time the results are returned, the delayed treatment is unable to prevent recurrent seizures (epilepsy).
Please get in touch if you have had a similar experience, and speak to one of our advisors for guidance.
What Information Could Help Support Your Case?
You will require relevant evidence to prove medical negligence. For example, you could present:
- Medical records highlighting a delay in treatment.
- Witness contact information – for anyone who was there with you while the negligence occurred.
- A diary where you have recorded your symptoms, treatment and any mental health impact.
You will also have an independent medical assessment that will look at how you have suffered and the extent of your harm.
While it is not required in all claims, a Bolam Test could be arranged, although you do not have to do so yourself. The test involves a group of qualified medical professionals judging whether the treatment and care you received was of the correct standard. One of our solicitors can arrange this on your behalf if it is deemed beneficial.
Working with one of our solicitors would mean you have someone to help gather evidence. You can learn more about this by giving us a call and talking to an advisor.
How Is Compensation In Meningitis Negligence Claims Calculated?
If you make a successful claim for medical negligence, your compensation could consist of 2 parts: General and special damages.
General damages compensate for your pain and suffering, while special damages cover the financial loss stemming from that harm.
Those tasked with assigning a value to general damages (such as a solicitor or other legal professional) may refer to the suggested compensation brackets published by the Judicial College for various forms of harm.
Compensation Table
In our table below, you will find multiple brackets from the JCG. It should be noted that the top row was not taken from the document. Additionally, the table is intended only as a guide.
| Harm | Severity | Guideline Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Types of Very Severe Harm and Related Expenses, Such as Lost Wages | Very Severe | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Paralysis | Paraplegia | £267,340 to £346,890 |
| Brain | Moderately Severe | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Epilepsy | Established Petit Mal | £66,920 to £160,360 |
| Hand | Total or Effective Loss of 1 Hand | £117,360 to £133,810 |
| Foot | Amputation of 1 Foot | £102,470 to £133,810 |
| Bladder | Serious Impairment of Control | £78,080 to £97,540 |
| Senses | Complete Loss of Sight in 1 Eye | £60,130 to £66,920 |
| Total Loss of Hearing in 1 Ear | £38,210 to £55,570 | |
| Kidney | Loss of 1 Kidney | £37,550 to £54,760 |
Securing Other Forms Of Compensation
As mentioned, you may be able to claim for the financial loss you suffered due to your pain and suffering. In meningitis negligence claims, you could claim back monetary losses such as:
- Medical costs. For example, you may need to pay for prescribed medicines.
- Home healthcare payments.
- Travel fees.
- A loss of earnings if you miss work through illness or injury.
It is important to collect evidence of the expenses you claim for under special damages. Such proof can include bank statements, invoices, or payslips.
Speak to an advisor if you would like to learn more about what you may be eligible to claim compensation for when seeking compensation for meningitis negligence.
Contact Us To Learn More About No Win No Fee Meningitis Negligence Claims
If you have a valid claim, you could be connected to one of our expert medical negligence solicitors. They have extensive experience and knowledge of meningitis negligence claims.
Your solicitor could offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement. This form of No Win No Fee arrangement means you would not pay a solicitor’s fee:
- Upfront.
- As the case goes on.
- If you lose.
Winning the case means receiving compensation, from which the solicitor would collect a success fee for their work. This is a small percentage, capped legally by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
Begin Your Claim
You can get started today or at any time that suits you. Our advisors offer a confidential, informative consultation where you can learn if your potential medical negligence claim is valid. We may then be able to put you in touch with one of our solicitors for further support.
Talking to us is free, so get in touch by either:
- Calling 0800 073 8804.
- Contact us online.
- Joining an advisor on live chat.
Further Medical Negligence Claim Resources
Here are some further medical negligence claim guides we have created:
- Information on how to make a complaint about a misdiagnosis.
- Find out about MRSA claims
- Guidance on claiming for medication errors.
You may also find useful information from these sources:
- Information about how to treat meningitis from the NHS.
- Ethical guidance for doctors provided by the General Medical Council.
- Government information on seeking Statutory Sick Pay from your employer if you cannot work while ill.
Thank you for reading this guide to meningitis negligence claims. Please call if there is anything you would like to ask or get help with.
