If you’ve ever relied on the expertise of a professional - whether a solicitor, surveyor, doctor, financial adviser, or accountant - you’ve likely trusted them to act with due care and skill. Most of the time, they do. But when things go wrong due to substandard advice or service, the consequences can be costly, stressful, and deeply unfair. 

That’s where professional negligence law steps in.

At Fonseca Law, based in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, we regularly advise clients across the UK who’ve suffered losses due to professional negligence. Here, we aim to demystify what professional negligence is, highlight some of the most common types of claims in the UK, and guide you on when you might have a case worth pursuing.

What is professional negligence?

Professional negligence occurs when a qualified professional fails to perform their duties to the standard expected of someone in their position, resulting in financial or personal loss to their client.

To bring a valid professional negligence claim, you usually need to prove three key things:

1. The professional owed you a duty of care;
2. They breached that duty by failing to meet reasonable standards;
3. You suffered loss or damage directly because of their actions or omissions.

Learn more: A guide to understanding professional negligence

Common types of professional negligence cases

1. Negligent legal advice (legal malpractice)

Solicitors and legal advisers are expected to exercise care, diligence, and competence in all their dealings. Sadly, we see far too many cases where this hasn’t happened.

Examples include:

• Failing to issue court proceedings within a legal time limit (leading to the claim becoming time-barred).
• Mishandling conveyancing transactions, such as missing planning restrictions or boundary issues.
• Drafting poorly written contracts or wills that later cause legal disputes.
• Giving incorrect advice that leads to financial loss or an unfavourable outcome.

When might you have a claim?

If your solicitor’s error has directly caused you a financial loss - for example, if you lost a case you should have won, or bought a property with hidden defects - you may have grounds to claim.

2. Negligent financial advice

Financial advisers and pension specialists have a duty to offer suitable and informed advice that’s in your best interest, especially when dealing with investments, pensions, and mortgages.

Examples include:

• Advising on high-risk investments that were unsuitable for your circumstances.
• Mis-selling pensions or failing to explain the risks clearly.
• Overlooking important tax implications of a financial product.
• Recommending mortgage products that were unaffordable or inappropriate.

When might you have a claim?

If you were encouraged to invest in something that didn’t suit your risk profile, or if poor advice led to a financial loss (e.g. a pension fund shortfall), then it’s worth speaking to a solicitor about whether a professional negligence claim is possible.

3. Medical negligence (clinical negligence)

Healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and dentists, have a legal and ethical duty to deliver reasonable and competent care. When that standard is not met and harm occurs, a claim may be possible.

Examples include:

• Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a condition.
• Surgical errors or operations performed incorrectly.
• Prescribing the wrong medication or dosage.
• Failure to obtain informed consent before treatment.

When might you have a claim?

If you suffered avoidable harm or your condition worsened due to negligent medical care, and this resulted in pain, further treatment, or financial loss, you may be entitled to compensation.

4. Surveyor and valuer negligence

When buying a home or property, you rely on professional surveyors or valuers to assess its true condition and value. When they get it wrong, the consequences can be financially devastating.

Examples include:

• Failing to spot major structural issues during a homebuyer’s survey.
• Overvaluing a property, leading to mortgage or purchase problems.
• Missing signs of subsidence, damp, or other major defects.

When might you have a claim?

If their oversight or misjudgement led you to purchase a property that’s worth significantly less or requires expensive repairs, you may be able to claim for your losses.

5. Accountant negligence

Accountants are relied upon to give accurate tax, financial, and business advice. Their errors can expose clients to unexpected tax bills, fines, or even criminal investigations.

Examples include:

• Miscalculating tax liabilities or submitting incorrect tax returns.
• Giving poor advice on company structure or VAT registration.
• Failing to meet HMRC deadlines or filing incorrect financial documents.

When might you have a claim?

If you’ve received fines, penalties, or financial losses due to your accountant’s negligent advice or service, you may have a strong case.

Other examples of professional negligence

While the examples above are among the most common, professional negligence can arise in many sectors, including:

• Architects: design flaws, planning errors, or failure to follow regulations.
• Engineers and builders: unsafe or faulty construction, design failures.
• Insurance brokers: arranging inadequate cover or failing to advise on policy exclusions.
• IT consultants: misconfigured systems or data breaches due to negligence.

How do I know if I have a valid claim?

Ask yourself:

• Did the professional owe me a duty of care?
• Did they act below the standard expected of someone in their profession?
• Did I suffer a financial or physical loss as a result of their mistake?

If the answer to all three is yes, you may well have a claim.

Read: Proving professional negligence - essential evidence and legal tips

What should I do next?

1. Gather evidence - this includes any emails, contracts, reports, or documents showing what the professional advised or failed to do.
2. Record your losses - keep a clear record of the financial or personal consequences you’ve suffered.
3. Seek early legal advice - speak to experienced professional negligence solicitors (like us!) as soon as possible, as strict time limits apply to these types of claims - typically six years from the date of negligence (or three years from when you became aware of it).

At Fonseca Law, we can assess your situation, advise whether you have a valid claim, and guide you through the claims process with honesty, clarity, and expert care.

Why choose Fonseca Law for professional negligence claims?

We’re trusted, local professional negligence solicitors in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, with years of experience in holding professionals to account when they’ve failed their clients. Whether you’re an individual or a business, we’re here to provide clear legal guidance and help you claim the compensation you deserve.

Professional negligence can leave you feeling frustrated, betrayed, and financially vulnerable. But you’re not alone. With the right legal support, you can hold negligent professionals accountable and move forward with confidence. If you think you’ve been let down by a professional, get in touch with our friendly team today.