Health Tourism Compensation: Claiming for Medical Negligence in Turkey

When UK residents travel to Turkey for medical, dental, or cosmetic procedures, they do so with the legitimate expectation of receiving high standards of care. Every year, Turkey’s advanced healthcare sector treats thousands of international patients successfully. However, for a minority, the experience ends in physical injury, financial loss, and psychological trauma due to clinical negligence.

For these patients, the impact extends far beyond the failed procedure. The NHS rarely covers the cost of correcting private work done abroad, leaving victims facing repair bills that can dwarf the original cost of treatment.

At Londonwise, we specialise in cross-border health tourism compensation claims. We understand that seeking financial redress is not about "profiting" from an injury; it is about recovering the funds needed to restore your health, dignity, and financial stability. We provide a secure, English-speaking pathway for UK claimants to enforce their rights under Turkish Law.

What Is a Health Tourism Compensation Claim?

In legal terms, a compensation claim is a civil remedy designed to restore the injured party to the financial position they would have been in but for the negligence.

When pursuing a claim for medical negligence in Turkey, we seek to recover damages for:

• The Injury Itself: Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (General Damages).

• Corrective Costs: The price of revision surgery, dental repair, or long-term rehabilitation in the UK (Special Damages).

• Financial Losses: Wages lost due to time off work, travel expenses, and care costs.

Without a structured legal claim, many patients face financial ruin on top of their medical hardship.

Why UK Patients Need Specialist Representation

Pursuing compensation across borders presents unique challenges that differ significantly from domestic UK claims:

1. Jurisdictional Complexity: You generally cannot sue a Turkish clinic in the UK. The claim must be brought under Turkish Law.

2. The "NHS Gap": As the NHS is not liable for fixing elective surgery failures, patients must fund expensive private corrective treatment themselves. A successful claim is often the only way to afford this.

3. Documentary Barriers: Medical reports, police statements, and contracts are typically in Turkish.

4. Enforcement Issues: Obtaining a judgment is only half the battle; actually collecting the funds from a Turkish clinic or insurer requires local legal authority.

Londonwise bridges this gap. We combine UK-based case management with the full legal authority of licensed independent attorneys registered with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations to ensure your claim is not just filed, but enforced.

Common Scenarios Leading to Claims

Our medico-legal team has extensive experience handling complex claims arising from:

• Cosmetic Surgery Failures: Botched "BBL" procedures, rhinoplasty causing breathing defects, or negligent liposuction resulting in necrosis.

• "Turkey Teeth" Negligence: Dental implants placed without sufficient bone density, or crowns that cause chronic pain and bite misalignment.

• Surgical Errors: Wrong-site surgery, retained foreign objects, or life-threatening infections due to poor sterilisation.

• Post-Operative Neglect: Premature discharge ("fly-in/fly-out") leading to undetected complications like sepsis or embolism.

Each of these scenarios represents a breach of the medical provider's Duty of Care, forming the basis of a valid compensation claim.

How Londonwise Manages Your Claim

We offer a transparent, end-to-end service designed to secure the maximum possible compensation for your specific case:

1. Initial Triage & Viability Assessment: We review your case to determine if negligence can be proven under Turkish Law.

2. Medical Evidence Gathering: We coordinate with independent UK and Turkish medical experts to quantify the harm and the cost of corrective care.

3. Letter of Claim: Our partner attorneys in Turkey issue a formal legal notice to the clinic and their malpractice insurers.

4. Negotiation: We seek a fair settlement without the need for prolonged court battles, where possible.

5. Litigation: If liability is denied, our partners are fully prepared to litigate in Turkish Civil Courts.

6. Enforcement: We manage the collection and transfer of your compensation funds.

[⚖️ Request Your Confidential Initial Case Assessment]

Types of Compensation Available

Under legal principles, damages are categorized into two main streams. We aim to secure:

General Damages (Pain & Suffering)

Compensation for the physical pain, the severity of the injury, permanent scarring or disfigurement, and the psychological trauma (such as PTSD or depression) caused by the negligence.

Special Damages (Financial Losses)

Reimbursement for quantifiable financial costs, including:

• Corrective Treatment: The cost of private revision surgery or specialist dental work in the UK.

• Loss of Earnings: Wages lost due to inability to work during recovery or due to permanent disability.

• Travel & Accommodation: Costs incurred for the initial trip and any return trips for legal or medical reasons.

• Care & Assistance: Costs for professional carers or family members who provided support.

Case Study: Restoring a Patient's Life

(Anonymised for client confidentiality)

The Case: A UK patient travelled to Istanbul for a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). The surgeon removed excessive skin, leading to wound dehiscence (re-opening) and severe necrosis. The patient returned to the UK with an open wound requiring months of dressing changes and skin grafts, costing her over £15,000 in private care and lost wages.

The Intervention: Londonwise instructed independent plastic surgeons to audit the operation notes. It was proven that the technique used was aggressive and negligent.

The Outcome: The Turkish court awarded the claimant compensation covering her full private medical costs in the UK, six months of lost income, and significant damages for the disfigurement and emotional distress.

Why Choose Londonwise?

Victims choose us because we provide the security of a UK partner with the power of local Turkish representation.

• 34 Years of Collective Experience: Specialising in international health law and clinical negligence.

• Dual Jurisdiction Expertise: Deep understanding of UK client needs and Turkish legal reality.

• Risk Reversal: We assess the viability of your claim early to avoid unnecessary legal costs.

• Patient-Centred Ethics: We prioritise your recovery and financial stability.

• Proven Track Record: A history of successfully securing compensation for UK claimants in Turkey.

[📞 Request Your Confidential Initial Case Assessment]

Step-by-Step: What To Do If Negligence Occurs

If you believe you have a claim for medical negligence in Turkey, taking the right steps can significantly strengthen your case:

1. Seek Medical Help: Prioritise your health. Obtain a written report from a UK doctor detailing the damage.

2. Secure Records: Request your full medical file from the Turkish clinic immediately.

3. Document Everything: Keep a diary of your symptoms, save receipts for all expenses, and take photos of the injury.

4. Do Not Sign Waivers: Clinics may offer a refund if you sign a document releasing them from liability. Do not sign anything you do not understand.

5. Contact Londonwise: Statutory time limits apply to foreign claims. Instructing us early maximizes our ability to secure evidence.

Secure Your Future, Restore Your Life

Medical negligence can be devastating, but it does not have to be the end of your story. If you have been injured abroad, you deserve justice and fair compensation to help you rebuild.

At Londonwise, we combine UK accessibility with on-the-ground Turkish legal authority to fight for your rights.

Contact us today for a confidential review of your case.

[📩 Request Your Confidential Initial Case Assessment]

Legal Disclaimer & Transparency Notice

Londonwise Ltd is a specialist medico-legal consultancy registered in England & Wales. We facilitate access to justice for UK claimants injured in Turkey.

We are not a firm of solicitors authorized or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). All litigation and court proceedings in Turkey are conducted by fully licensed independent attorneys registered with the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. We act as your case management interface, bridging the linguistic and logistical gap between the UK and the Turkish legal system. Results may vary depending on the individual facts of each case.