EVERY day on our letters page our legal eagle Mike Corrigan answers your problems.

You can email letters or your legal queries to lancsletters@nqnw.co.uk. Here is today's question.

Q. I had surgery ten years ago which went wrong. Although I was outside the time limit to claim compensation my case was taken up by a firm of solicitors. Now I’m told that, although the hospital was clearly negligent, it’s not possible to trace the surgeon involved and it would be risky taking my case to court.

A. The absence of the surgeon should not necessarily have brought your claim to a standstill. The limitation period doesn’t start from the date of your operation, but from the date you realised something was wrong, so you’re not necessarily out of time to bring a claim. Some solicitors are less willing to pursue cases where the outcome is uncertain. But if there was a clear case of negligence you should perhaps discuss taking your case elsewhere. Don’t delay though.

Legal questions answered by Mike Corrigan of Farleys Solicitors LLP. Farleys have offices in: Blackburn 01254 606000; Accrington 01254 606600; Burnley 01282 718000; and Manchester 0161 8359513.