Sam Eljamel Compensation Claims: Patients Urged to Come Forward as Time Bar Reset

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Details: Personal injury; Created: 09 March 2026; Hits: 686

Patients Treated by Sam Eljamel May Still Be Able to Claim Compensation

Patients who suffered harm after treatment by former NHS Tayside neurosurgeon Professor Sam Eljamel may still be able to pursue compensation, following a major development in the ongoing medical scandal.

Reports in the Daily Record highlight that the potential compensation bill linked to the case could exceed £100 million, reflecting the scale of harm alleged by former patients.

The issue has gained renewed attention after NHS Tayside confirmed that, for claims arising from treatment carried out by Professor Eljamel, it will treat 26 February 2026 as the starting point for the three-year limitation period, rather than relying on the date of surgery or when patients may previously have become aware of potential concerns.

This means many patients who believed they were too late to bring a claim may now still be able to pursue compensation.

Equity Partner

“Anyone who believes they may have been affected should get in touch and we will investigate their claim.”

Why is the Time Bar Decision So Important?

Under Scottish law, most medical negligence claims must be brought within three years of the injury occurring or from the date a patient became aware negligence may have taken place.

This is known as the “time bar.”

For many former patients treated by Sam Eljamel, concerns about their treatment only emerged years after surgery, meaning the standard time limit had already passed.

The decision by NHS Tayside not to rely on time bar provided proceedings are raised within three years from 26 February 2026 in these cases could allow hundreds of patients to have their claims investigated.

For many victims, this may be the first realistic opportunity to seek compensation and answers about what happened.

Sam Eljamel Butcher Surgeon Scandal | Lawyer Patrick McGuire on Patient Rights

Who Is Sam Eljamel?

Professor Sam Eljamel was formerly Head of Neurosurgery at NHS Tayside and worked at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

He treated patients with serious neurological conditions including:

Brain tumours
Spinal disorders
Chronic neurological pain conditions

Over time, former patients began raising concerns about their treatment.

Allegations connected to the scandal include:

Surgical procedures causing avoidable harm
Serious complications following neurosurgery
Patients not being fully informed about treatment risks
Delays in addressing concerns about surgical outcomes

Many patients have reported life-changing injuries including neurological damage, chronic pain and long-term disability.

Can You Claim Compensation If You Were Treated by Sam Eljamel?

You may be able to pursue a medical negligence compensation claim if you were treated by Sam Eljamel and suffered harm as a result of negligent treatment.

Claims may arise where:

A surgical procedure was performed incorrectly
You experienced avoidable complications
You were not properly informed of the risks of surgery
Your condition worsened due to substandard care

Compensation may help cover:

Pain and suffering
Loss of earnings
Medical treatment and rehabilitation
Long-term care and support
The wider impact on your quality of life

Why Should Patients Seek Legal Advice Now?

Because the time bar may not be enforced in these cases, patients who previously believed they were unable to bring a claim may now have the opportunity to have their case investigated.

However, every case will depend on individual medical evidence and legal circumstances, so it is important to seek advice from specialist medical negligence solicitors.

Thompsons Scotland Investigating Claims

Thompsons Scotland has extensive experience representing individuals harmed by medical negligence and healthcare failures.

Our solicitors can:

Review your medical records
Investigate the circumstances of your treatment
Obtain independent medical expert opinions
Advise whether a compensation claim may be possible

Patrick McGuire and the Thompsons team are encouraging anyone who believes they may have been affected to come forward.

Contact Thompsons Scotland

If you or a family member were treated by Professor Sam Eljamel and believe negligent treatment caused harm, legal advice can help you understand your options.

Our medical negligence lawyers can investigate your case and advise whether you may still be able to pursue compensation.

Contact Thompsons Scotland today to discuss your case confidentially.

FAQS

Yes. NHS Tayside has indicated it will not rely on the normal three-year time bar defence in cases linked to Sam Eljamel provided proceedings are raised within three years from 26 February 2026, meaning many patients may still be able to pursue compensation.

The scandal involves allegations that former NHS Tayside neurosurgeon Professor Sam Eljamel carried out procedures that caused serious harm to patients, leading to hundreds of potential compensation claims.

Normally, medical negligence claims in Scotland must be brought within three years. However, in the Eljamel cases NHS Tayside has indicated it will not rely on this defence provided proceedings are raised within three years from 26 February 2026.