Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Personal injury and clinical negligence: claimant

PA Duffy & Co offers comprehensive medical negligence and personal injury coverage. The group is led by Gary Daly, who joined in 2022.

Personal injury and clinical negligence: claimant in Northern Ireland

Millar McCall Wylie LLP

Millar McCall Wylie LLP covers all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence, with expertise in road traffic accidents, industrial disease issues, and employer liability claims. Team lead Caroline Prunty has more than 30 years’ experience, and is recognised by clients as ‘a master of her trade‘; her practice includes handling accidents at work, employer and public liability claims, and significant injury claims involving minors. William McSorley leads the hearing loss team within the department, and has expertise in industrial diseases such as vibration white finger and asbestos-related diseases. ‘Well-respected’ associate Ashley Black is a key name.

Practice head(s):

Caroline Prunty


Other key lawyers:

William McSorley; Ashley Black; Louise McNally


Testimonials

‘MMW take a collaborative approach to the benefit of their clients when dealing with experts and opponents. MMW have a highly experienced Disease Team and have a good reputation among their clients and is known as a market leader among other similar firms within the jurisdiction.’

‘Caroline Prunty is a stand-out litigator and is well respected among her peers not only within the firm but throughout the jurisdiction. She is recognised as one of NI’s leading Personal Litigators and has successfully represented many clients in relation to serious medical negligence injury, and she is a qualified mediator.’

‘Ashley Black is an associate and is well respected among his team. He is an experienced disease litigator. He has a wealth of experience in pursing a variety of personal injury claims.’

‘I think the biggest strength that Millar McCall Wylie have is their communication. Our case felt personal from the outset, we were updated throughout, and it was made to feel as important to them as it was to us. They explain everything thoroughly, putting it in layman’s terms or giving examples, so you understand everything in the process.’

‘They made us feel like they really cared and that we mattered. Caroline Prunty was so good at facilitating calls around my work hours and gave us all the information allowing us to make informed decisions about our case.’

‘The personal injury team led by Caroline Prunty are outstanding in every way. Caroline’s knowledge and ability to get the job done is extremely impressive. The level of client service is second to none. Each time I spoke with Caroline and the team I was made to feel extremely welcome.’

‘Caroline Prunty is a master of her trade. At all times, she kept me updated as to my case, which instilled a confidence that she would be successful in winning my case. Caroline explained every step of the procedure, and ensured that I was not only well updated but that I understood the process.’

‘Caroline Prunty – excellent solicitor. William McSorley runs the hearing loss department like a well-oiled machine. William deals with hundreds of cases each year without difficulties. Ashley Black, a rising star, deals with a huge number of cases.’

Work highlights


  • Advised a client on a High Court employer’s liability claim.
  • Advised a client on a £42,500.00 settlement for a complex asbestosis claim.
  • Instructed on a catastrophic personal injury claim with a cross-border element.

Thompsons NI Solicitors

Thompsons NI Solicitors has a reputation for its history of acting for trade unions and their members, and the group has expertise across personal and serious injury, industrial disease and medical negligence matters. Team lead and managing partner Oonagh McClure has significant experience in asbestos, serious injury and medical negligence matters, with additional expertise in spinal and head injury cases. Senior solicitor Laura Henderson covers a range of high-value claims, including road traffic accidents and industrial disease matters; her practice includes representing minors, and she works with the Child Brain Injury Trust, representing children who have sustained brain injuries.

Practice head(s):

Oonagh McClure


Other key lawyers:

Laura Henderson


Work highlights


  • Represented a client who sustained a fracture on his arm while dismantling part of a machine during the course of his employment.
  • Represented a client who was physically assaulted by a service user in the course of her employment, in which she sustained serious injury to her left knee and back.
  • Represented a client who developed a skin complaint on her left hand during the course of her employment as a result of the continuous use of soap.