Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Clinical negligence: claimant

With the hire of Natalie Cosgrove, a birth injury specialist with proven capabilities in high-value mandates concerning birth-related injury and fatality cases, from Switalskis Solicitors in November 2022, Ashtons Legal significantly expanded its capabilities in the clinical negligence space.

Clinical negligence: claimant in Yorkshire And The Humber

Minton Morrill

Minton Morrill continues to work primarily in the realm of high-value and complex claims, namely in relation to birth and brain injuries, with a strength in working with the Court of Protection and infant settlements. Having been acquired by Fletchers Group in September 2022, the practice retains its strong focus on these particularly complicated claims while also growing its team and capabilities. Simon Minton is one of two directors leveraging their extensive expertise in relation to a number of specialised claims, namely meningitis and cerebral palsy. Sahida Patel is the other director, and retains her eminent reputation for severe birth injury cases. Other lawyers of note are Guy Pomphrey, Lisa Whitworth, Julia Morrill and Katy Link.

Practice head(s):

Sahida Patel; Simon Minton


Other key lawyers:

Julia Morrill; Guy Pomphrey; Lisa Whitworth; Katy Link


Testimonials

‘Minton Morrill looked after and pursued our case over a number of years due to the complexity and due diligence required, which enabled a very favourable and fair outcome when the case was finally settled.’

‘Guy Pomphrey would always discuss the objectives and potential outcomes of each step together with routine reviews of were the case was. Guy Pomphrey was an outstanding, hardworking and compassionate legal professional who made you feel he genuinely cared for your situation and that gave us confidence we were in the best hands.’

‘Helped me understand every step of what was going on. Always on hand for advice and to help guide me through the process. Our feelings are always taken into consideration.’

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell leverages the substantial experience of its large team of clinical negligence specialists, with capabilities across a range of complex high-value claims, alongside a focus on securing immediate care for clients. Julianne Moore leads the Sheffield team, employing her medical background to represent clients particularly in birth injury claims. Other notable names from the same office include Tom Mather, who has substantial litigation experience; Sarah Rowland, who is similarly active in relation to birth injuries; and Tim Annett, who focusses on defective medical devices and clinical trials. Sarah Coles  heads up the Leeds practice, with expertise in cerebral palsy, brain injury, and amputation claims. Also based there are Rachelle Mahapatra, primarily active in birth injury cases, and Rachel Roach, who brings valuable experience working on the defendant side to the team. In team news, Ross McWilliams was promoted to partner in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Julianne Moore; Sarah Coles


Other key lawyers:

Tom Mather; Sarah Rowland; Tim Annett; Rachelle Mahapatra; Rachel Roach; Ross McWilliams


Testimonials

‘Irwin Mitchell are experts in clinical negligence and work very well together as a team to achieve their goals. Ross McWilliams has been very compassionate and responsive when dealing with my case. All correspondence has been immaculate and accurate and I have found everyone very polite and approachable. I have been given clear information about procedures, costs and timeframes.’

‘The team at Irwin Mitchell have been exceptional to deal with. From day one they have been compassionate, understanding and accessible. They have also been honest and made sure we are fully aware of the difficulties and timescales involved with our case. We have been given clear and realistic expectations and kept updated every step of the way.’

‘Julianne Moore has been exceptional from the start. We began the process in the height of Covid, so we had video calls, where she never made us feel rushed and always had time to answer all our questions. I have always been grateful for her extensive knowledge, never feeling like I am being fobbed off with legal jargon; she has always left me confident that they have the expertise to navigate our case to a successful outcome, which is exactly what they have done.’

‘Julianne Moore is truly a force to be reckoned with, yet her caring nature and professionalism make her a pleasure to work with.’

‘Julianne Moore is an excellent solicitor, managing difficult cases with talent, enthusiasm and particular sensitivity to the client’s needs.’

‘Exceptional attention to detail in the preparation of cases.’

‘Julianne Moore sets the tone for her team. She is an excellent solicitor and is totally committed to her clients. I sense that they feel she understands and supports them. She works incredibly hard and I have been very impressed by her attention to detail in cases. She is firm in negotiations but her excellent client care skills do not prevent her giving difficult advice when it is necessary.’

‘IM Leeds are top drawer: experienced, professional and focussed on delivery for clients.’

Stewarts Law LLP

Stewarts Law LLP ensures a high quality of representation for clients by providing specialists in the most complex issues of clinical negligence and keeping the caseload low to maintain a bespoke level of service. The team has experience handling a range of claims, including spinal injury, birth injury and cerebral palsy, major failures in treatment for mental health, and fatal accidents. The team also has capabilities to handle the subset of cases where clinical negligence and personal injury overlap. Frank Pinch leads the team in Leeds, working across the full range of claims handled by the firm; he also has experience working on mandates with a cross-border element. In team news, Amy Fielding was promoted to partner in May 2023. At the senior associate level, Gabrielle Ross is recommended.

Practice head(s):

Frank Pinch


Other key lawyers:

Amy Fielding; Gabrielle Ross


Testimonials

‘Stewarts provide a caring and compassionate service, which extends to the experts chosen in support of the claim. Both Stewarts and their experts know the detail in depth and execute their evaluation and interpretation of the data with gusto.’

‘The Stewarts team simply understood our plight and fully understood our long-term goal beyond the settlement of the claim. Amy Fielding fully appreciated our situation and quickly formed a bond with us; we regard Amy as a friend who always delivered what was best for us without causing further upset or emotional trauma. She worked continually to ensure the process was easy to comprehend and offered unbiased views.’

‘I had excellent service from Stewarts, from the moment I made first contact with them they have been fantastic and really gone the extra mile to make the process simple and accessible from a client perspective. Every question has been answered swiftly, with regular updates and I generally could not wish for a better service.’

‘Frank Pinch, hats off to you. Throughout the process, he’s been there on the other end of the phone and I feel he has gone the extra mile to accommodate meetings. Clear concise information on a regular basis puts any client’s mind at ease and translating from legal speak into everyday language makes the process simpler mentally and physically given the difficult process they are trying to help with.’

‘This is a regional clinical negligence team on a par with its London team, consistently successful in representing claimants in cases of the highest complexity both in terms of liability and quantum. A market leader nationally as well as in the region.’

‘Amy Fielding combines her former nursing experience with a first-rate legal mind to devastating effect. Drives a case forward as far as is sensible and gets standout results.

‘Stewarts are simply the best there is in claimant clinical negligence work. No stone is left unturned in investigating a case. They use the best experts, assemble the strongest legal team and ensure every relevant question is properly explored.’

‘Amy Fielding is highly experienced and extremely capable. She is very collegiate in her approach.’

Switalskis Solicitors

Switalskis Solicitors works on the full spectrum of clinical negligence mandates, handling both complex and high-profile cases, and more routine claims, on behalf of clients. Sarah Tipton Walker and Suzanne Munroe jointly lead the practice; the former is active in relation to cases of complex brain injury, while the latter focusses on cases of cerebral palsy and birth-related injury more generally, with work often relating to chronic pain and still births. Richard Starkie works from York and brings a valuable specialism in product liability cases to the group, while Robyn Hawxby works on stroke claims and spinal injuries, and Charlotte Reeves works on cases of orthopaedic injury.

Practice head(s):

Suzanne Munroe; Sarah Tipton-Walker


Other key lawyers:

Richard Starkie; Robyn Hawxby; Charlotte Reeves


Testimonials

‘Suzanne Munroe has provided high quality leadership over many years. The team itself has unrivalled expertise in the management of complex and high-value clinical negligence cases, and this permeates throughout all levels. The reputation of the clinical negligence team is also based an ethos that puts the needs of injured clients first and foremost, and a desire to achieve the very best results for them.’

‘There is a wide range of highly competent practitioners at Switalskis but two standouts are: Suzanne Munroe and Charlotte Reeves. As the head of the team, Suzanne has developed the team over a number of years, with skill, application and excellent judgment. She exudes authority and confidence. Charlotte Reeves is a natural leader, who combines a high intelligence with excellent client care skills. She provides a reassuring presence for injured clients but also provides realistic and beneficial advice.’

‘Growing specialist practice with some superb individuals, who are tactically extremely astute and always fight hard for their clients, leaving no stone unturned.’

‘Impressive and highly capable team.’

‘Suzanne Munroe has a wealth of experience. She is sensible and practical. She is enthusiastic but level-headed also about her cases.’

‘Suzanne Munroe and Sarah Tipton-Walker have been doing this work for many years and really are specialists in the field of claimant clinical negligence. They are approachable and reasonable to deal with.’

‘The clinical negligence team at Switalskis provides an excellent service for clients. They are highly motivated and work effectively together to ensure that the client and their family are given a good service. They communicate effectively with the client, their family and the team of experts to ensure the best outcome.’

‘Suzanne Munroe is an exceptional solicitor and team leader. She clearly loves her job, and thrives off being successful. She has a lovely relationship with her clients and their families and understands the stresses that these families face. She ensures that the right support is provided as quickly as possible to make their lives easier. She is driven in delivering the best service she can for her clients.’

Work highlights


  • Representing seven families whose babies died at the Countess of Chester Hospital.
  • Represented claimants whose baby died due to gross failings at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
  • Secured £2.8m for claimants from the Nottingham NHS Trust in a case concerning an injured baby.

Howells

Howells provides a broad offering, handling both serious injury cases, including birth injuries and fatalities, and more niche claims arising from transgender treatment, plastic surgery, and mental health. Senior associate Michelle Gyte leads the Sheffield-based practice, specialising in complex cases involving fatal accidents, dependency claims, and multiparty actions. She works alongside senior associate Jenna Kisala, who has a special interest in birth injury cases, fatal accidents, and inquests.

Practice head(s):

Michelle Gyte


Other key lawyers:

Jenna Kisala


Hudgell Solicitors

Operating from Hull, Hudgell Solicitors works across the full range of claim values, with capabilities in both complex, high-value litigation and an established track record in managing a high volume of smaller claims. Early rehabilitation and interim payments are key strengths of the team. Chris Moore and Vince Shore jointly head up the practice, and focus on brain injury at birth and surgical errors, respectively. The large team has a depth of experience in the field, such as Helena Wood bringing expertise in delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and Elizabeth Maliakal working on mistreatment of strokes.

Practice head(s):

Chris Moore; Vince Shore


Other key lawyers:

Helena Wood; Elizabeth Maliakal


Testimonials

‘From the beginning, the Hudgell team were upfront about everything; they ensured we knew everything that would and possibly could happen. At no point did you feel forgotten; our case took years with many twist and turns. All things were discussed and costed. There was a plan that was in place and we all knew what it was. You felt in control at all times.’

‘Extremely helpful; they find all possible ways that help your case and don’t give up.’

‘They are very patient, polite, supportive and understanding.’

‘Well-established firm with a good reputation and experienced practitioners.’

‘Chris Moore is a very experienced clinical negligence solicitor with excellent judgment and a good, interesting, but difficult caseload which he handles with great skill. Chris is very efficient and focusses on the points that matter to great effect, securing excellent outcomes for his clients without fuss and drama, but nevertheless ensuring that they feel extremely well supported.’

‘Client care is at the forefront of claims handling. The fee earners evidently care about the clients they are acting for.’

‘Hudgell Solicitors are very much a national firm. They attract maximum severity and other work from all over the country. Vince Shore and Chris Moore are both about 30 years post-qualification and have great knowledge and judgment. I have recommended both to friends and other contacts over the years.’

‘Excellent communication and fast response to any questions. Very personal, you don’t just feel like another client, they get to know you as a person and you feel they want to do everything they can to get a resolution for you.’

Work highlights


  • Secured a settlement of between £15-20m for a client who suffered a significant, life-long brain injury at birth.

SJP Law

SJP Law deploys a mixed team of lawyers and medical professionals to handle a range of claims, representing clients in respect of mismanaged births, surgical and anaesthetic errors, and delayed diagnoses and treatments. Director Neil Holland heads the team, working between the established practice in Hull, where he works alongside director Simon Burgess, and the recently opened offices in York; both practitioners have expertise in handling complex injury mandates.

Practice head(s):

Neil Holland


Other key lawyers:

Simon Burgess


Testimonials

‘They are a tight team that get fantastic results for their clients.’

‘I have found working with the team at SJP Law easy and reassuring. I have never had to do anything like this before, and the thought of pursuing a claim was daunting. I have found the team responsive when I have called. They have always been polite, friendly, reassuring and answer questions punctually and efficiently.’

‘Neil Holland is bright, an excellent tactician and hard working. He’s also great with clients and always has his eye on the end result.’

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited has a particular focus on neurotrauma, with its work covering the full spectrum of related injuries, including birth injury, neuro-disability, and fatal claims. Terry Regan heads the team and leads much of the neurotrauma work, but much like the broader practice, also covers a number of other claims, including cosmetic surgery, surgical injury, addiction, and cancer cases. Scott Haslam and Kate Lax are also noted.

Practice head(s):

Terry Regan


Other key lawyers:

Scott Haslam; Kate Lax


Testimonials

‘I consider Terry Regan to be one of the best clinical negligence solicitors I know working in Yorkshire. He is passionate and dedicated to his clients, but has a clear appreciation of the reality of what he may be able to achieve for them.’

‘Excellent knowledge and thorough preparation of cases. Scott Haslam and Kate Lax are very talented lawyers.’

‘Scott Haslam and Kate Lax always prepare the cases thoroughly, exercise excellent judgment and act only in the very best interests of the client.’

Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors

The team at Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors is led by Tony May, who specialises in cerebral palsy and birth injury cases, and employs his experience in the Court of Protection to handle claims where necessary. Associate Jacqueline Vance is noted for her qualification as a nurse, which she brings to bear on a range of complex claims.

Practice head(s):

Tony May


Other key lawyers:

Jacqueline Vance


Testimonials

‘Very responsive. Easy to contact. High level of expertise.’

Graysons Solicitors

Graysons Solicitors is active primarily in relation to claims concerning negligent diagnoses and birth injuries, with proven capabilities in handling high-value claims. Nikki Yavari heads the practice from Sheffield, employing her considerable experience, which extends to running claims to trial. She is supported by Jessica Brown whose primary specialism is in dentistry claims, but who also covers issues relating to cancer and diabetes diagnosis.

Practice head(s):

Nikki Yavari


Other key lawyers:

Jessica Brown


Testimonials

‘The team is excellent, friendly, efficient and helpful. I enjoy working with them.’

‘The individuals are all very friendly and helpful and good to work with.’

‘Nikki Yavari and her team never let me down in their knowledge , understanding and always kept me updated every step of the way . Nikki made me feel confident at all times to keep going ahead and to never give up as it was a long case, and in the end I got the outcome I deserved with Nikki Yavari and her team .’

Work highlights


  • Pursuing a hospital defendant after several visits to hospital were dismissed with no issues and the client ended up having a 6-7 hour operation which found a ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess.
  • Acting for a client who was a known MRSA carrier who was operated on and then developed MRSA.
  • Representing a client who had a below the knee amputation which caused a pulmonary embolism, resulting in an above the knee amputation.

Harrowells Solicitors

Harrowells Solicitors undertakes complex claims, with recent activity around misdiagnosis and negligent surgery. The team operates out of York, and is headed up by Richard Wood who has experience working on claims concerning cerebral palsy and birth injury.

Practice head(s):

Richard Wood


Testimonials

‘Amazing service with all-round help and support; specialists in a wide range of fields. Harrowells have been exceptional at fighting a case for my disabled sister.’

‘Richard Wood is always contactable by phone, friendly, supportive and very knowledgeable. He has been a great personal support too.’

‘Excellent, well-run team with significant strength and depth.’

Morrish Solicitors LLP

Morrish Solicitors LLP works with unions in representing individuals, covering a range of cases in the birth injury, orthopaedic injury, and delayed cancer diagnosis spaces. The team is led by Anna Sari, who specialises in birth injury cases, particular cerebral and Erb’s palsy.

Practice head(s):

Anna Sari


Other key lawyers:

Oonagh McCurry


Testimonials

‘This firm is highly experienced in this type of work and they seem to me to be continuing to offer a very good and caring service. They appear to be genuinely concerned for their clients and go the extra mile for them.’

‘I have been instructed by Morrish Solicitors on clinical negligence claims and the level of care and attention put into the work by the solicitors is extremely high.’

‘A small group of specialist clinical negligence litigators. Provide a personal service to clients. Get great results. Very diligent. Easy to work with.’

Key clients

National Education Union


National Association of Racing Staff


Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association


National Association of Examination Officers


British Grooms Association


Musicians’ Union


Society of Union Employees


Social Workers’ Union


Pharmacists’ Defence Association


National Association of Probation Officers


Ramsdens Solicitors LLP

Ramsdens Solicitors LLP works across all areas of clinical negligence, advising on claims against NHS Trusts, dental surgeons, GPs, and nursing homes. Natalie Marrison heads up the practice with an established track record in relation to fatal accidents, and representation of family members in inquests and secondary victim claims.

Practice head(s):

Natalie Marrison


Other key lawyers:

Rachel Sharp


Testimonials

‘I feel they have have been very supportive. I would definitely recommend.’

‘Rachel Sharp and her team were very supportive and reassuring to me. I feel Rachel went above and beyond in my best interest and I am truly so thankful for her. Rachel explained everything I needed to know and advised the best she could; anytime I didn’t understand anything Rachel explained everything. Even after my claim has been settled, Rachel is still so very supportive.’

‘Ramsdens is a people-centred firm whether it is with clients or staff. It is always timely with responses and explains all steps of any case from the beginning. All staff I have dealt with have been approachable on the phone and at conferences.

Taylor & Emmet LLP

Taylor & Emmet LLP fields a large and capable team of clinical negligence specialists to pursue claims for clients. Key contacts include practice head James Drydale, who works on cerebral palsy and brain injuries at birth; Paul Fouad, who specialises in brain and spinal injuries; and Kathryn May, whose primary focus is on gynaecological injuries.

Practice head(s):

James Drydale


Other key lawyers:

Paul Fouad; Kathryn May


Testimonials

‘An excellent team of client-focussed lawyers who are detail-oriented, approachable, and committed. They combine a first-rate legal service with a friendly style that puts clients at ease.’

‘The clinical negligence team is well informed and provides clear instructions to experts. Their communication is efficient.’

‘They are accessible, knowledgeable, communicate clearly and respond to queries in a timely manner.’

Work highlights


  • Acted for a client who required a leg amputation due to the defendant’s negligence.
  • Acted for a client whose treating clinicians failed to administer medication for glaucoma resulting in a loss of vision.
  • Acted in a claim concerning the death of a patient after a negligent delay by the defendant Trust in treating appendiceal cancer.