Clinical Trials Claims

Taking part in a clinical trial can help with the developments of new treatments. This is important to help treat disease and improve patients' quality of life, but it's not necessarily risk-free.

There are strict rules in place to reduce risks and ensure participants have given informed consent. However, occasionally, serious side-effects can occur. If you've been injured or become ill from participating in a clinical trial, our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

We'll work closely with you throughout the claims process to handle every aspect of your case. We'll make sure you're able to access all the medical care and support you need to help with your ongoing rehabilitation.

Most of the claims we handle are on a no win no fee basis. This means that there's nothing for you to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim isn’t successful.

If you’ve any questions, or are interested in making a claim, call us today for a free initial consultation, or contact us online.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell to handle your clinical trials compensation claim?

Our personal injury team has a great deal of experience with medical negligence, defective drug, and medical product claims. Our specialist knowledge and caring solicitors have seen us ranked in the top band of law firms for defective product compensation claims by Chambers & Partners, one of the leading independent guides to the legal profession.

Aside from our legal expertise, we’ll make sure you’re fully supported during and after your claim. Our connections to charities and support groups across the UK mean our support services can help you to access any medical, financial, and emotional help you need.

We’ve an in-house team of financial experts, who'll be on hand once your claim is settled. They can offer tailored guidance on how you can make your compensation last for the rest of your life. If you’re interested in investing your compensation, they can also advise you on this option.

To stop your compensation from being factored into any means-tested benefits you could get, we can set up a personal injury trust on your behalf. Our Welfare Benefits team will be there to make sure you’re aware of all the benefits and support you’re entitled to due to your illness or injury.

Our offices are located all around the UK. If you’d like to meet with your solicitor for a confidential conversation in a comfortable and private setting, we can arrange meetings in an office local to you. If it’s easier for you to speak via phone or video call, we can also set these up, or visit you at home or in hospital if you’re unable to travel. We understand the toll making a claim for illness can take and do all we can to make the process as easy for you as possible.

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Tim Annett Partner Meet The Team

More information on clinical trail claims

Whilst clinical trials are extremely important it is imperative that a thorough investigation takes place. Transparency is vital to ensure lessons can be learned, and to promote the safety of all those who participate in clinical trials."

Tim Annett, Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

What are clinical trials?

Clinical trials are used to test new medicines and treatments during medical research. They also help doctors and researchers learn more about diseases, treatments, preventions, and means of detection. The main aims are to test the safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects of new medicines and treatments.

Clinical trials normally happen before a new medicine or product is given a licence in the UK. Pharmaceutical companies usually arrange the trials.

The manufacturer has to be reviewed and given a Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA) from the Medicine Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

Who can make a clinical trial compensation claim?

If you've taken part in a clinical trial and been left injured or ill, then you may be able to claim compensation.

In certain circumstances, you can also claim compensation on behalf of a loved one who became ill as a result of a clinical trial. For example, if you're claiming on behalf of your child, you have until their 21st birthday to make a claim.

If you’ve lost a loved one because of complications arising from a clinical trial, you’ve three years from the date they died to make a claim.

Many clinical trials are run in accordance with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) compensation guidelines. The guidelines make it easier to claim compensation if something goes wrong. We can help you work out if the ABPI guidelines are applicable to your case, and whether you might be entitled to compensation.

If you're unsure whether you'll be able to make a claim, get in touch for some advice.

What responsibilities do those running clinical trials have to their patients?

Overall, clinical trials are safe. However, there can be risks as many drugs can cause side-effects, although these aren't usually serious or life-threatening. People involved in the trial must understand the aims of the trial, as well as any potential risks.

There's a difference between being told about something and having something explained by a professional so you can fully understand it. So, participants must be given the chance to discuss the trial with the organisers. They should also be given written details of the treatment, including potential side effects.

The organisers (sponsors) of clinical trials should have insurance in place. Many will be conducted in accordance with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)'s guidelines. The guidelines provide for payment of compensation in the event of bodily injury (including death) through participation in the trial. This applies to Phase 1 trials (‘healthy volunteers’) and Phase II-IV trials (‘patient volunteers’).

We can advise if the trial you participated in is covered by the guidelines, as there are some exceptions.

Our medical and product liability solicitors can investigate the details of the trial you or your loved one was involved in. We'll find out whether those running the trial failed in their responsibilities to you as a patient.

If you have any questions about the claims process, or how we can help, get in touch.

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