MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria that typically does not cause harm. However, if MRSA gets inside the body, it can have life-altering consequences. When patients develop such infections due to clinical negligence, MRSA compensation claims can be made for the unnecessary suffering they experience.
The compensation that could be awarded to you for MRSA negligence will depend on how you were impacted physically, psychologically, and financially. For instance, legal professionals will consider the severity of the unnecessary harm you have suffered and whether you will continue to experience issues in the future.
If you have contracted MRSA due to negligent treatment, you may feel overwhelmed, but you are not alone. According to UK government statistics for 2024/25, hospital-onset MRSA bacteraemia continues to be a significant concern, with 38% of cases occurring after admission. Such infections can occur due to inadequate hygiene and delayed diagnosis, often with long-term health implications.
Medical negligence can seem extremely complicated, so you may be wondering what steps you can take to protect your interests. Contact one of our advisors today to discuss the cause of your MRSA infection and whether you could seek compensation. They will let you know whether you have valid grounds to seek compensation with the expert guidance of one of our solicitors.
- Call us on 0800 073 8801
- Make an enquiry online
- Use the live chat window in the corner
4.8 (948 reviews)Jump To A Section
- What Are MRSA Compensation Claims?
- Can I Make A Claim For MRSA Compensation?
- MRSA Negligence Claim Examples
- What Are The Impacts Of Contracting MRSA?
- How Much MRSA Compensation Can I Get?
- What Will I Need To Prove My MRSA Was Caused By Medical Negligence?
- Will There Be A Time Limit To Making MRSA Compensation Claims?
- How Can Accident Claims Help Me To Claim MRSA Compensation?
- MRSA Compensation Claims On A No Win No Fee Basis
- More Information
What Are MRSA Compensation Claims?
MRSA compensation claims are the legal process through which patients can seek monetary damages for avoidable harm resulting from substandard care by a medical professional. This harm can be both physical and psychological, and payouts can account for any resulting financial impacts.
You can read the next section for more detailed guidance on the specific criteria that govern when a medical negligence claim might be valid. Our advisors are also available 24/7 to further explain what a medical negligence claim is and how it could benefit you.
Can I Make A Claim For MRSA Compensation?
You can make an MRSA compensation claim if you can show that a medical professional’s failure to deliver the correct standard of care caused you unnecessary harm. This requires you to demonstrate that negligence occurred, which would involve meeting the following requirements:
A Medical Professional Owed You A Duty Of Care
All medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, owe a duty of care to their patients. This means they need to provide the minimum standard of care expected of them. Healthcare facilities (including hospitals) must also abide by this responsibility to patients.
The Duty Was Breached
The next part of proving negligence requires showing that a medical professional failed in their duty to you. There are many examples of how this can occur, such as failing to maintain proper hygiene standards or dismissing typical MRSA symptoms.
You Suffered Avoidable Harm
Whether the negligent treatment caused you to suffer directly from MRSA or made your condition worse, you will need to show the effects you suffered. This harm can be both physical and psychological, with short- or long-term consequences. For example, you may have suffered permanent organ damage after developing sepsis.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure whether you have a valid case, as our advisors have handled many enquiries about MRSA compensation claims. They will let you know whether you might be able to proceed with one of our solicitors on a No Win No Fee basis.
MRSA Negligence Claim Examples
Examples of MRSA negligence claims include healthcare providers failing to meet hygiene standards, isolate infected patients, or recognise the typical symptoms of the bacteria. For instance, you may be able to pursue a claim in circumstances like the following:
- After undergoing surgery to remove your kidney, medical staff fail to take regular steps to help you keep your body clean while you are unable to clean yourself. This lack of basic care results in you developing a hospital-acquired infection and suffering from pressure sores.
- Hospital staff place a patient with confirmed MRSA in a ward with several individuals recovering from major or intensive procedures. As a result, you contract MRSA and develop sepsis, leaving you with long-term organ damage.
- While treating you for a serious open wound, a clinician uses equipment that has not been properly sterilised. This causes an MRSA infection, which in turn results in an abscess that requires surgical drainage.
There are many other scenarios that could give rise to a potentially valid medical negligence claim. If you think that you were harmed after receiving negligent care, get in touch with our team of advisors today to see if you can pursue MRSA compensation.
What Are The Impacts Of Contracting MRSA?
The impacts of contracting MRSA commonly include skin infections, but life-threatening conditions such as sepsis may result if the bacteria enter the bloodstream. MRSA infections often cause an area of skin to become painful, swollen and warm. These infections can spread to your blood, lungs, and other parts of your body. Therefore, you may experience breathing difficulties, dizziness, confusion, and a high temperature.
If the infection is left untreated and enters the bloodstream, MRSA can develop into several serious conditions, including:
- Pneumonia
- Endocarditis
- Sepsis
In cases of sepsis, organ failure and even death can occur if urgent treatment is not given.
Whether you have suffered short-term symptoms or lifelong effects, you could be eligible to make an MRSA claim. Why not contact our advisors to discuss the nature of your MRSA condition and see how a compensation award might reflect your circumstances?
How Much MRSA Compensation Can I Get?
How much MRSA compensation you could receive depends on the unique financial, physical, and emotional effects of avoidable harm caused by substandard care. In successful MRSA compensation claims, general damages are awarded to cover the pain and suffering you have experienced.
Legal professionals can read the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when valuing general damages. They might do so, as this document contains a list of compensation guidelines for different types and severities of harm.
We have included some JCG figures in the table below. It is important that you do not view them as a guarantee of the MRSA compensation that you could receive. Each medical negligence payout is calculated individually to reflect the claimant’s experience. Please also note that the leading entry does not come from the JCG.
| Type and Severity of Injury | Compensation Bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple instances of harm with financial losses | Up to £1,000,000+ | The harm gives rise to costs which could relate to further private medical treatment, professional care, and therapy |
| Brain- very severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | The person will require full-time nursing care and there will be issues relating to the person's response to the environment language functioning, incontinence. |
| Kidney- serious and permanent loss/damage | £206,730 to £256,780 | Both kidneys will be damages or lost |
| Bowels- double incontinence and total loss of natural functioning | Up to £224,790 | There will be complete loss of urinary function/control and natural bowel function, long with other medical issues |
| Female Reproductive System- infertility | £140,210 to £207,260 | There will be infertility with sexual dysfunction, pain, scarring, anxiety and depression |
| Male Reproductive System | In excess of £187,790 | Compensation can account for the hormonal impact, psychological reaction, effect on fertility and sexual dysfunction |
| Bladder- complete loss of function | Up to £171,680 | Complete loss of control and function |
| Lung disease- serious disability affecting a young person | £122,850 to £165,860 | It is likely that the condition will worsen and cause premature death |
| Scarring- one single disfiguring scar or a number of noticeable laceration scars | £9,560 to £27,740 | Scarring often affects the back, chest, hand(s), leg(s) and/or arm(s) |
Can MRSA Compensation Claims Payout For Financial Losses?
Yes, MRSA compensation claims can pay out for financial losses you have suffered due to avoidable harm. This part of the compensation is called special damages, a head of claim that allows you to recover costs like the following:
- Lost income due to time taken off work, as well as any future impact on employment
- Private medical treatment or prescribed antibiotics
- Therapy or counselling
- Travel expenses required for your medical appointments
- Payments for professional care due to the effects of MRSA
- Various home adjustments, such as the installation of a wet room
You will be required to submit evidence of such losses in order to claim for them. This proof can include receipts, bank statements, and payslips.
You are welcome to contact one of our advisors if you would like a tailored assessment. They know what questions are relevant to calculating compensation, so you may benefit from explaining the unique factors of your MRSA experience to them. This also gives you the chance to discuss the losses that you have incurred and find out how one of our solicitors could help you document them.
4.8 (948 reviews)What Will I Need To Prove My MRSA Was Caused By Medical Negligence?
To prove your MRSA was caused by medical negligence, you will need evidence to show that the infection worsened or resulted from substandard care, and that this caused harm that could have been avoided. Common ways to prove medical negligence include giving copies of your patient records, photographing swelling or other visible signs of infection, and collecting the contact information of family members, staff, or other potential eyewitnesses.
Figuring out the evidence you may need can seem daunting. Thankfully, you can contact an advisor to find out whether one of our solicitors could use their years of experience in handling MRSA compensation claims to assist you with the collection of evidence.
Will There Be A Time Limit To Making MRSA Compensation Claims?
Yes, there is a time limit for starting MRSA compensation claims, typically 3 years from the date on which negligent care was given. The time limit may also begin later, from the date you become aware of the negligence. This is established by the Limitation Act 1980.
There are certain exceptions when a claim involves a minor or a mentally incapacitated adult, as neither group can pursue compensation on their own. To find out more, read our time limits guide.
You can also speak with a friendly advisor to find out how long you have to start your MRSA claim.
How Can Accident Claims Help Me To Claim MRSA Compensation?
Accident Claims can help you to claim MRSA compensation through the expert representation consistently provided by our dedicated solicitors. They have already secured over £80 million in compensation for claimants so far, so you can trust in their experience. Your solicitor can support you by offering various client-focused services, such as:
- Guidance when selecting the evidence that will strengthen your case
- Explaining each stage of your claim and what actions you will need to take
- Negotiating for your MRSA compensation to reflect the different ways in which you have been affected
- Keeping you at the heart of the MRSA negligence claims process with regular, clear updates
- Connecting you with trusted specialists to aid your recovery (such as an expert psychologist)
Enquire today to find out if Accident Claims is the right fit for you. Our advisors can further explain the benefits that our solicitors offer and determine whether you are eligible to work with them.
MRSA Compensation Claims On A No Win No Fee Basis
Our solicitors represent MRSA compensation claims on a No Win No Fee basis under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This appeals to many claimants due to the fact that there is no need to pay for your solicitor’s work at the following stages of the claims process:
- Before the hospital infection claim starts
- As the case progresses
- If you are not compensated
However, should you receive MRSA compensation, it will be necessary to pay a success fee to your solicitor. This takes the form of a legally binding percentage of the compensation, ensuring that the major share will remain with you.
Get In Touch With Our Expert Solicitors
If you’re wondering what to do next, it may be time for you to reach out to one of our advisors. They have handled many enquiries related to MRSA compensation claims, so you can rely on them to help you. Whether you would like to start claiming as soon as possible or need more time to reach a decision, they will provide you with the answers you need. You may even find yourself one step closer to getting your rightful compensation.
- Call us on 0800 073 8801
- Make an enquiry online
- Use the live chat window in the corner
More Information
Read our other medical negligence guides below:
- Find out how to claim for a cervical cancer misdiagnosis
- Visit our guide on prescription error claims
- Learn about midwife negligence claims
External resources:
- Read the NHS national standards of healthcare cleanliness
- See NHS guidance on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Find out about surgical site infections from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Thank you for reading this guide on MRSA compensation claims.
