Unfortunately, this happened in a number of cases reviewed at Royal Derby Hospital. Cardiac MRI scans carried out between 2013 and 2020 were examined after concerns were raised about their interpretation. Of the 1,224 scans reviewed, some were found to have contributed to patient harm, including one case of severe harm. The hospital has apologised, and patients who had a cardiac MRI there during this period have been encouraged to come forward if they are concerned that their care may have been affected.

What happens if an MRI scan is misinterpreted?

An MRI scan may be carried out correctly, but an abnormality can still be missed or incorrectly interpreted when the images are reviewed.

This matters because the scan findings can be an important part of deciding what happens next. If a condition is not recognised, a patient may not receive the right diagnosis, treatment or follow-up at the appropriate time – or at all.

What did the Royal Derby review find?

The NHS Trust found that most patients had not suffered harm, but identified cases where errors in interpreting the scans had affected patients. Three patients suffered moderate harm and one suffered severe harm.

The Trust has apologised to affected patients and introduced changes to the way cardiac MRI scans are reviewed, including additional checks and greater involvement from teams of specialists.

When could an incorrectly interpreted scan be medical negligence?

An error in interpreting an MRI scan does not automatically mean that a patient has a medical negligence claim.

It is necessary to consider what the scan showed, whether it should reasonably have been interpreted differently and whether the error affected the patient’s diagnosis, treatment or health. The circumstances will be different in every case.

What should you do if you are concerned about a scan result?

Being told that something may have been missed on a scan can understandably leave you with questions about whether your treatment should have been different.

If you had a cardiac MRI at Royal Derby Hospital between 2013 and 2020 and are worried that something may have gone wrong, getting legal advice can help you understand whether the concerns raised by the review have any relevance to your own treatment.

The same applies if your concerns relate to an MRI or another diagnostic scan at a different hospital. This could include a CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound or mammogram, for example. You don’t need to know whether a mistake amounts to medical negligence before speaking to a solicitor. A specialist can look at what happened, explain whether there may be a claim and help you understand your options.

Even if your scan or treatment took place some time ago, it is still worth getting advice. Medical negligence claims are subject to time limits, but these do not always run simply from the date of the treatment. In some circumstances, the relevant period may depend on when you became aware that you had suffered an injury and that it may have been connected to your care

Our Medical Negligence experts can guide you through the process, explain things clearly and help you decide what to do next – Call or Email us to discuss your circumstances.

The rights of unmarried couples have recently been in the news, following Government proposals to give some cohabiting couples greater legal protection. But what are your rights as an unmarried couple under the law as it stands today?

The short answer is that there is no such thing as ‘common law marriage’ in England and Wales. No matter how long you have lived together, you don’t automatically acquire the same legal rights as a married couple or civil partners.

That matters particularly when it comes to your home, your finances and what happens to your family if one of you dies.

The legal status of your shared home

If you own a property together, it is important to understand how it is owned and what each of you is entitled to.

This can be particularly important where one partner has contributed more towards the deposit, mortgage or improvements, or where the home is owned in only one person’s name.

A Declaration of Trust can, where appropriate, record how a property is owned and the shares each person is intended to have. A Cohabitation Agreement can also set out what you have agreed about the property and your finances if you separate.

Putting these arrangements in place early can provide clarity and help avoid disagreements later.

Inheritance when one partner dies

This is one of the biggest differences between marriage and cohabitation.

If someone dies without a Will, the rules of intestacy determine who inherits. An unmarried partner does not automatically inherit simply because they have lived together for many years.

For a couple who share a home and finances, that can leave the surviving partner in a very difficult position.

A Will allows you to decide who should inherit your estate and can help ensure your partner and children are provided for as you intend.

It is also important to review pensions, life insurance and other assets, as these may have their own beneficiary arrangements.

Children and cohabiting couples

Having children together does not give an unmarried couple the same legal status as marriage.

The legal position of the children – including parental responsibility and financial provision – is separate from the rights of the parents as a couple. However, children are an important consideration when deciding how your home, finances and estate should be dealt with if circumstances change.

Protecting you and your family

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to consider:

• a Will, to make your wishes clear about who should inherit;
• Lasting Powers of Attorney, so someone you trust can make decisions for you if you are unable to;
• a Declaration of Trust, particularly where you own a property in unequal shares;
• a Cohabitation Agreement, setting out arrangements for your property and finances; and
• reviewing pension and life insurance nominations.

Taking professional legal advice can help you understand where you stand and identify anything that needs to be put in place.

Could the law on rights for unmarried couples change?

The Government recently consulted on proposals to give certain cohabiting couples greater protection, including when a relationship ends and when a partner dies without a Will. The consultation closed in August 2026 and so we will closely follow any legal changes that may result.

Whatever happens next, unmarried couples should not rely on the idea of ‘common law marriage’ to provide protection.

If you live with your partner, it is worth making sure your legal and financial arrangements reflect what you would both want to happen – particularly if you own a home, have children or have significant assets.

Putting the right legal arrangements in place may sound daunting but it doesn’t have to be complicated as our Wills & Probate team can guide you through your options, explain what you need to consider and help you put arrangements in place to reflect your circumstances and your wishes – Call or Email us today.

For those affected by the infected blood scandal, these are important issues. We have previously written about the difficulties applicants can face when trying to establish events that happened decades ago, and the importance of decisions being made fairly, consistently and with an understanding of the circumstances involved.

A case we are currently dealing with has brought these questions into sharper focus. 

When a claim could set a precedent

Our client has been denied compensation despite evidence which, in our view, supports their eligibility under the scheme. One of the considerations raised by IBCA is the potential precedent that allowing the claim could create.

This raises an important question about how individual claims should be assessed.

The compensation scheme is intended to consider the circumstances of people affected by the infected blood scandal, and no two cases will necessarily be the same. Where the evidence supports an individual’s eligibility, it is important that their particular circumstances are carefully considered alongside the wider implications of any decision.

Where medical records are no longer available, including because they have been destroyed or lost over the many years that have passed, IBCA should consider the remaining evidence as a whole and apply the ‘balance of probabilities’ test – whether it is more likely than not that the individual was infected as a result of a blood transfusion or blood product.

We are aware of cases where there are concerns about how this test is being applied. In some circumstances, it appears that greater weight may be placed on statistical or historical considerations rather than considering all of the available evidence together. This can have a significant impact on whether an individual receives compensation.

For applicants and their families, understanding how those decisions are reached is equally important.

Knowing what happens if a claim is refused

It is also worth remembering that an IBCA decision does not necessarily have to be the end of the process. Applicants can ask for a decision to be reviewed and, where appropriate, appeal to an independent tribunal.

However, after waiting so many years for recognition and compensation, many people may understandably not realise that these options are available.

There are also questions around the legal advice available through the scheme, and whether applicants have sufficient independent support when they want to understand or challenge an eligibility decision.

We are experts in pursuing negligence claims and are already helping a number of victims of the infected blood scandal and their families seek compensation. If you have been affected by the scandal Call or Email today to discuss your options.

Zero-hours contracts can provide useful flexibility for both employers and workers. However, the Government is proposing changes intended to give workers greater certainty over their working hours, while still allowing flexibility where it is genuinely needed.

The consultation is looking at how these new rights should work in practice. For employers who use zero-hours or variable-hours contracts, it is therefore worth understanding what is being proposed now.

What could change for zero-hours contracts?

The proposed reforms include new rights relating to:

• Guaranteed hours – qualifying workers could have the right to be offered hours that reflect the hours they regularly work.
• Reasonable notice of shifts – employers could need to provide more notice of shifts and changes to shifts.
• Payment for cancelled or changed shifts – workers could be entitled to compensation where shifts are cancelled, moved or cut short at short notice.

The Government is also seeking views on important practical issues, including how a worker’s usual working pattern should be assessed and how the new rights should apply to seasonal and temporary work.

Are zero-hours contracts being banned?

No. The proposed changes do not amount to a ban on zero-hours contracts.

The intention is to address what the Government describes as “one-sided flexibility”, where workers have little certainty about when they will work, while retaining flexibility for businesses and workers where that arrangement suits them.

What should employers do now?

With the consultation closing on 25 August 2026, employers who use zero-hours or similar contracts have an opportunity to contribute to how the new rules will work in practice.

You may want to:

• Respond to the consultation and share your views on the proposed changes, particularly where you believe they could have practical implications for your business.
• Review how you currently use zero-hours and variable-hours contracts.
• Consider whether workers regularly work more hours than their contracts provide for.
• Think about how requirements around shift notice and payment for cancelled or changed shifts could affect your business.
• Keep up to date with the outcome of the consultation and any further legislation or guidance.

You don’t have to answer every question in the consultation, just those most relevant to you.

If you use zero-hours contracts and would like to understand how the proposed employment law changes could affect your business, our employment law experts can advise you on what to consider and how to prepare – Call or Email today.

For families, it can be difficult to know what is involved, particularly when they are also dealing with the loss of someone close to them. Some estates are relatively straightforward; others can be much more complicated.

What happens to someone’s affairs after they die?

When a person dies, their assets and liabilities need to be identified and dealt with. This might include their home and other property, bank and savings accounts, investments, personal possessions and any debts or other liabilities.

Usually, the executor named in the Will is responsible for dealing with these matters. If there is no Will, an administrator will normally take on the role.

The executor needs to establish what the person owned and owed, deal with any tax and debts, and ensure what remains passes to the people entitled to inherit it.

Does the Will decide everything?

Not necessarily.

A Will is important, but it doesn’t automatically determine what happens to everything someone owned. How an asset was held can make a difference.

For example, jointly owned property may pass to the surviving owner rather than under the terms of the Will. Some pensions and life insurance policies may also be dealt with separately.

This is why administering an estate can involve more than simply finding the Will and following its instructions.

Understanding Probate – Does every estate need it?

No.

Probate is the legal process of obtaining authority to deal with certain assets belonging to someone who has died. Whether a grant of Probate is required depends on the nature and value of the assets, how they were held and the requirements of the individual organisations holding them.

Some smaller or straightforward estates can be dealt with without Probate.

If someone dies without a Will, the person dealing with the estate may instead need to apply for letters of administration.

Why can some estates be complicated?

An estate involving a home, some savings and a straightforward Will may be relatively simple.

Things can become more complicated where:

• Inheritance Tax (IHT) may be payable
• There are overseas assets or property
• The person owned a business or had trusts
• There are significant debts
• The validity of the Will is questioned
• Family members disagree or someone makes a claim against the estate

These circumstances can affect what needs to happen and whether professional advice would be helpful.

Do you need a solicitor?

Not necessarily. An executor can often deal with a straightforward estate themselves.

However, administering an estate comes with responsibilities. Understanding Probate responsibilities, mistakes involving tax, debts or the distribution of assets can have consequences.

Legal advice can be particularly useful where there is uncertainty about the Will, property, tax, trusts, overseas assets or disagreement between beneficiaries. You don’t necessarily have to hand over the whole estate either; a solicitor can advise on a particular issue or deal with the administration for you.

Dealing with an estate after someone dies

Understanding Probate and Inheritance Tax (IHT) in order to deal with someone’s affairs can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’re grieving. There is no single process or timescale that applies to every estate.

If you’re responsible for dealing with an estate and aren’t sure what needs to happen, our specialist Wills and Probate team can explain your options and advise you on probate and estate administration – Call or Email our experts today.

The offences took place between 1994 and 1999. Grimson, who is now 66, was an instructor at the Royal Navy Firefighting School at Horsea Island, where he used his position to target and sexually abuse boys and young men over a number of years.

He was convicted at Winchester Crown Court on 27 July 2026 of multiple sexual offences. Grimson is already serving a life sentence for the murders of two Royal Navy ratings, Nicholas Wright and Sion Jenkins, who were both sexually assaulted before they were killed.

The case may raise important questions for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse in the Royal Navy, including those whose experiences date back many years.

Could the Ministry of Defence be responsible?

A conviction does not necessarily mean that the organisation the perpetrator worked for is legally responsible for the abuse.

However, there are circumstances in which an organisation can be vicariously liable for the actions of an employee.

In cases involving the armed forces, this can include situations where someone used their position, rank or authority to gain access to or exercise control over those they abused.

Whether the Ministry of Defence could be held responsible will depend on the circumstances of each case, but it is an issue that may be worth exploring if you experienced sexual abuse in the Royal Navy.

What if the abuse happened decades ago?

The allegations against Grimson date back more than 20 years. While non recent sexual abuse claims can raise issues around whether a fair trial is still possible, the passage of time does not necessarily prevent someone from seeking compensation. Recent criminal convictions against the perpetrator will be strong evidence that a fair trial for a civil claim can be possible.

Our specialist Portsmouth based Abuse Law team can discuss what happened, explain your options and advise whether you may have a potential claim.

If you experienced sexual abuse in a Royal Navy or other military setting, contact our experts for advice – Call or Email us today. 

Led by Donna Ockenden, the maternity inquiry will look at maternity care over a 15-year period and could examine up to 3,000 cases. The first meeting with families marked an important early stage in the inquiry, explaining how the review will work and how families can take part.

The Leeds maternity inquiry follows a number of major reviews into maternity services across England, including investigations in Shrewsbury and Telford and Nottingham, alongside the national maternity and neonatal review led by Baroness Amos.

We have supported families through maternity reviews and related clinical negligence claims, including cases linked to the Nottingham and Shrewsbury reviews and as our head office is based in Leeds we feel particularly connected to this enquiry.

Why are maternity services being reviewed?

Independent maternity inquiries examine care across a service. They can identify patterns and concerns, highlight areas for improvement and make recommendations to improve safety.

Families’ experiences are an important part of this process. They can help highlight issues such as communication, delays, concerns not being acted upon and decisions made during care.

The wider challenges facing maternity care

Alongside these reviews, there continues to be concern about the pressures facing maternity teams.

This week the Royal College of Midwives commented on reports of rising numbers of staff leaving the profession, highlighting concerns around staffing levels, workload and retention. Research found that many midwives believe workforce pressures are affecting the quality of care they are able to provide, with staffing challenges contributing to concerns about safety and retention within the profession.

Safe maternity care relies on many factors, including appropriate assessment, effective communication, timely decision-making and having suitably trained staff available when needed.

What does a maternity inquiry mean for families?

A maternity inquiry can provide important insight into wider issues within a service, but it does not determine whether negligence occurred in an individual case.

Understanding what happened for an individual family requires a detailed review of the specific circumstances, including medical records, the timeline of events and the decisions made by healthcare professionals.

Supporting families with maternity care concerns

At Middleton Law, our clinical negligence specialists support families who have concerns about maternity care.

We help families understand what happened, whether their experience should be investigated further and what options may be available.

If you have questions about care you or your baby received during pregnancy, birth or after delivery, our team is here to help – Call or Email us to discuss your situation.

A medical negligence claim is not always about proving that the original treatment caused an injury or condition. It may also involve whether the care provided afterwards fell below the required standard and affected the outcome.

When delayed diagnosis affects treatment options

We recently represented a client whose claim involved a delay in diagnosing foot drop – a condition where weakness affects the muscles responsible for lifting the front of the foot.

Our client developed symptoms affecting their left ankle and was later diagnosed with a tendon rupture. Medical evidence concluded that the rupture was unlikely to have been caused by the steroid injection they had received and was more likely to have been a spontaneous rupture.

However, concerns arose about the assessment, resultant delays in follow up and case management that followed.

Our client was not reviewed until six weeks later, when the correct diagnosis was made and an ultrasound scan arranged. By this stage, the consultant felt it was too late for a repair operation.

Expert evidence obtained during the claim confirmed that, while a repair would have been more difficult because of the delay, it could have been carried out. The delay in diagnosing the foot drop and the decision not to proceed with surgery meant our client was left with a permanent deficit affecting movement of their left ankle.

The importance of expert evidence in medical negligence claims

Medical negligence claims often require expert evidence to establish whether care fell below an acceptable standard and whether this affected the outcome.

In this case, we obtained evidence from a Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon, a Musculoskeletal Radiologist and an Orthopaedic Surgeon. A conference was also held with a barrister and the experts to consider the evidence.

The defendant Trust did not make a formal admission of liability, however, it accepted that the examination fell below an acceptable standard and that this would have led to an earlier diagnosis of the foot drop.

Following negotiations, the claim was settled for £40,000 and we were happy to hear how pleased the client was with that outcome.

Could you have a medical negligence claim?

Not every poor outcome is the result of negligence. However, where a delay in diagnosis, inadequate assessment or delayed treatment has affected your recovery or left you with a permanent disability, it may be appropriate to seek legal advice.

Our expert team is on hand if you would like to discuss your situation – Call or Email us today.

For families who have experienced a difficult outcome during pregnancy, birth, or postnatal care, reports like this can also raise personal questions.

They may recognise elements of their own experience and wonder whether wider findings help explain what happened in their own case.

However, while national enquiries can highlight important issues, they do not determine whether negligence occurred in an individual case.

Why individual circumstances matter

Public enquiries examine patterns of care across services. They can identify concerns, highlight areas for improvement, and make recommendations for the future.

But every maternity experience is different. Two families may have similar concerns like: delays, communication problems, or concerns not being acted upon. But, while the circumstances and outcomes in each case are unique.

Understanding what happened requires a careful review of the individual circumstances, including the medical records, timeline of events, and decisions made by healthcare professionals.

The findings of an enquiry may provide valuable context, but they do not replace that individual review.

Supporting families to find answers

High-profile enquiries play an important role in improving maternity care and ensuring lessons are learned.

For families who remain concerned about the care they or a loved one received, seeking specialist advice can help provide a clearer understanding of what happened and whether further investigation may be appropriate.

At Middleton Law, our clinical negligence specialists support families in understanding complex medical events and exploring their options when they believe something may have gone wrong.

If something didn’t feel right about the care you or a loved one received, Call or Email our expert team to understand whether those concerns can be reviewed.