Have you or a loved one suffered harm due to medical treatment in Turkey? You are not alone. Thousands of British patients travel to Turkey every year for cosmetic surgery, hair transplants, dental treatments, and other procedures — and some return home with life-altering complications caused by medical negligence. At Kaya Legal Consultancy Ltd, our Turkish-qualified lawyers based in London help UK clients pursue medical negligence and medical malpractice claims against Turkish hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers. You do not need to travel to Turkey. We manage everything from our London office.
What is Medical Negligence in Turkey?
Medical negligence — also referred to as medical malpractice — occurs when a healthcare provider in Turkey fails to meet the accepted standard of care, causing injury, illness, or death. This applies to surgeons, doctors, dentists, nurses, anaesthetists, and private clinics, including medical tourism facilities that cater to international patients.
Turkey has become one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism, with hundreds of thousands of international patients visiting each year for procedures such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, hair transplants, Hollywood smiles, and breast surgery. While many patients receive excellent care, a growing number return home with complications, infections, disfigurement, or worse — caused by negligent practitioners, unlicensed clinics, or inadequate aftercare.
Under Turkish law, both private clinics and public hospitals can be held liable for medical negligence. International patients — including UK nationals — have the same legal rights as Turkish citizens when pursuing compensation.
Common Medical Negligence & Malpractice Cases We Handle
Cosmetic Surgery Gone Wrong in Turkey
This is the most common type of claim we handle for UK clients. British patients who travel to Turkey for rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation, liposuction, BBL (Brazilian butt lift), facelifts, or tummy tucks sometimes suffer botched results, permanent scarring, nerve damage, or life-threatening complications. If your cosmetic surgery went wrong in Turkey, you may have a strong compensation claim under Turkish law.
Hair Transplant Negligence
Turkey is the world’s leading destination for hair transplants. However, cases involving unqualified technicians, poor hygiene, infections, and unsatisfactory results are increasingly common. We assist UK clients in pursuing hair transplant negligence claims against Turkish clinics.
Dental Treatment Errors in Turkey
Dental tourism to Turkey is booming — but so are cases of dental negligence. These include nerve damage from poorly fitted implants, infections from veneers, botched extractions, and misaligned crowns requiring costly corrective treatment back in the UK.
Other Medical Malpractice Claims
- Surgical errors and post-operative negligence
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Anaesthesia errors
- Hospital-acquired infections due to poor hygiene standards
- Unnecessary procedures or wrong-site surgery
- Birth injuries and maternal care negligence
- Orthopaedic surgery complications
How We Help UK Clients Claim Compensation from Turkish Hospitals
Kaya Legal Consultancy Ltd is uniquely positioned to help British clients. Unlike most firms handling Turkish medical negligence cases — which are based in Turkey with limited understanding of UK clients’ needs — we are based in London with fully qualified Turkish lawyers on our team. We understand both the UK client experience and the Turkish legal system, and we can represent you directly in Turkish courts without you needing to attend.
Our end-to-end process for UK clients:
- Free initial consultation — we review your case and give you an honest assessment of your prospects
- Evidence gathering — medical records, before/after photographs, expert reports, and witness statements
- Independent medical expert opinions — we instruct qualified Turkish medical experts to evaluate your case
- Filing your claim — directly against the hospital, clinic, or individual practitioner in Turkey
- Mandatory mediation — since 2019, Turkish law requires mediation before court proceedings; we represent you fully throughout
- Court representation — if mediation fails, our Turkish lawyers represent you in Turkish civil courts
- Compensation recovery — we pursue maximum damages including pain and suffering, corrective treatment costs, and loss of earnings
Turkish Medical Negligence Law — Key Facts for UK Clients
Time Limits: How Long Do You Have to Claim?
This is critical and often overlooked. Under Turkish law, the statute of limitations for medical negligence claims is 2 years from the date you became aware of the harm and the responsible party, with an absolute deadline of 10 years from the date of the negligent act. For cases involving public hospitals, different administrative deadlines may apply. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your claim — so seek legal advice as soon as possible after returning to the UK.
What Compensation Can You Claim?
Under the Turkish Code of Obligations, compensation for medical negligence and malpractice in Turkey can include:
- Pain and suffering (physical and psychological)
- Cost of corrective treatment in Turkey or the UK
- Loss of earnings during recovery
- Future medical costs related to the negligence
- Travel and accommodation costs
- In fatal cases, loss of dependency claims for the deceased’s family
Private Clinics vs Public Hospitals
Both private and public healthcare providers can be sued for medical negligence in Turkey. Claims against private clinics proceed through the civil courts. Claims against public hospitals go through the administrative court system and involve the Turkish Ministry of Health. Our lawyers are experienced in both routes.
Why Choose Kaya Legal for Your Turkish Medical Negligence Claim?
- Turkish-qualified lawyers based in London — fully qualified Turkish legal professionals who also understand the UK client experience, not just translators
- Offices in London, Istanbul, and Ankara — we operate seamlessly across both UK and Turkish jurisdictions
- OISC registered — regulated legal consultants in the UK
- No need to travel to Turkey — we manage your entire claim from London
- Bilingual expertise — we communicate with Turkish hospitals and courts in Turkish, and with you in English
- Transparent fees — clear pricing from the first consultation, no hidden costs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a Turkish hospital or clinic from the UK?
Yes. Turkish law gives international patients the same legal rights as Turkish citizens. You can bring a medical negligence or medical malpractice claim against any Turkish healthcare provider — private clinic, hospital, or individual surgeon — regardless of where you live. Our London-based Turkish lawyers handle the entire process on your behalf.
How long do I have to make a medical negligence claim in Turkey?
You have 2 years from when you discovered (or should have discovered) the negligence and who was responsible. There is also an absolute 10-year limit from the date of the negligent act. Do not delay — evidence becomes harder to obtain over time, and missing these deadlines means losing your right to claim entirely.
My cosmetic surgery in Turkey went wrong — do I have a claim?
Cosmetic surgery procedures in Turkey are treated as a form of contract under Turkish law — meaning the surgeon is expected to deliver a result consistent with what was agreed. If your result was botched, or you suffered complications due to negligent technique, inadequate aftercare, or lack of proper informed consent, you may have a strong claim. Contact us for a free case assessment.
What evidence do I need for a Turkish medical negligence claim?
The most important evidence includes: your medical records from the Turkish clinic or hospital, consent forms you signed, before-and-after photographs, correspondence with the clinic, receipts and invoices, and a medical report from a UK doctor documenting your current condition. We will advise you on exactly what to gather and help you obtain records from Turkey if needed.
Do I need to travel to Turkey during my claim?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Our Turkish-qualified lawyers can act directly in Turkish legal proceedings, so you can manage your entire claim from the UK. We handle all court appearances, filings, and communication with Turkish hospitals and courts on your behalf.
How much does it cost to bring a claim?
We offer a free initial consultation to assess your case honestly. Our fee structure is transparent and discussed before you commit to anything. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
We also assist clients with a wide range of other Turkish legal services, including property law, divorce, inheritance, and company formation in Turkey.
Kaya Legal Consultancy Ltd
Salisbury House, 29 Finsbury Square, London EC2M 5QQ
Also serving clients from our offices in Istanbul and Ankara.