Bridge McFarland LLP‘s personal injury team handles the full gamut of complex and catastrophic injury work, with specific experience in cases with a nexus to the maritime sector, multi-jurisdictional matters, and industrial disease work that focuses on absestos-related mesothelioma. The team includes a number of ‘excellent lawyers’, with practice head Leanne Keating, James Burrell and Kathryn Hudson being key practitioners. It also has experience with RTAs and public liability claims. On the clinical negligence side, Lorraine Taylor heads up the practice, working with a team which includes Danielle Barney and Chris Gresswell-Green, who has particular expertise in fatal cases.
Clinical negligence and personal injury: claimant in Yorkshire And The Humber
Bridge McFarland LLP
Practice head(s):
Leanne Keating; Lorraine Taylor
Other key lawyers:
James Burrell; Kathryn Hudson; Ian Sprakes; Danielle Barney; Christopher Gresswell-Green
Testimonials
‘Attention to personal service. They leave no stone unturned.’
‘Great interpersonal skills combined with an intelligent approach to evidence.’
‘They are all excellent lawyers who have a first-rate manner with clients. The team is well-used to dealing with complex disease cases and injury cases of the utmost severity and complexity, as well as fatal accident cases.’
Work highlights
Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors
Based in Huddersfield, Chadwick Lawrence LLP Solicitors has a strong reputation for specialist clinical negligence work, acting on behalf of claimants and their families. Tony May leads the team that focuses on catastrophic cases including amputations, spinal and neurological injuries, and fatalities, amongst others. Associates Michael Cotter and Jacqueline Vance are praised for being ‘among the most empathetic‘ practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Tony May
Other key lawyers:
Jacqueline Vance; Lauren Bullock; Michael Cotter
Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable and efficient. The process is explained and you are kept informed at all times.’
‘Would like to mention Jacqueline Vance in particular, for her dedicated work and understanding of my circumstances. I trust her completely to work in my favour.’
‘Tony May, Michael Cotter and Jacqueline Vance are among the most empathetic clinical negligence fee earners I have come across. I would single out Michael Cotter as having an exceptional instinct for knowing which cases can be won.’
Work highlights
Emsleys Solicitors Limited
Under the leadership of Andrew Greenwood and director John Hutchings, Emsleys Solicitors Limited specialises in complex and serious personal injury cases. The group continues to develop its occupational disease offering alongside its expertise in employers’ and occupiers’ liability, public liability and road traffic accidents. The firm’s ‘Review My Claim’ service maintains its success in handling under-settled cases, issues relating to professional negligence, cases where the client is unhappy with their solicitor and cases which appear to have no merit. Associate Natalie Mousavi is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Greenwood
Other key lawyers:
John Hutchings; Natalie Mousavi; Claire Williams
Testimonials
‘A well established practice with engaging and helpful solicitors who are able and knowledgeable. A more personal style than most of the big players and much the better for it.’
‘Andrew Greenwood is truly outstanding. His pragmatic approach to litigation coupled with a first class mind and extensive knowledge of serious personal injury law makes him a ‘go to’ person for the most complex claims.’
‘Emsleys is a reasonably small firm that packs a big punch. Serious injury clients get very experienced representation without the duplication of work that one sees in large claimant practices.’
Work highlights
- Represented the claimant in a case relating to a significant laceration to his left dominant wrist following an accident at work, which settled for £115,000.
- Acted for the claimant in a claim against the local authority after he stood in a large pothole, causing him to fall and hit his head, which affected his ability to work and drive.
- Acted for a claimant after he suffered life threatening injuries in a high speed collision where he was a front seat passenger.
Graysons Solicitors
The clinical negligence team at Graysons Solicitors is led by Carol Simpson, who leverages her experience as a former midwife to advise on a wide range of complex issues including birth injury claims that involve Erb’s and cerebral palsy, as well as orthopaedic, spinal injury and fatal claims. Nikki Yavari and dental negligence specialist Jessica Brown are also key members of the team. On the personal injury side, Peter Clark leads on industrial disease claims, including those relating to asbestos and mesothelioma. He is supported by Belinda Lancaster, who specialises in occupational illness and RTA cases. Mark Fisher left the firm in October 2021 to join Taylor Rose MW as a freelance consultant.
Practice head(s):
Carol Simpson; Peter Clark
Other key lawyers:
Belinda Lancaster; Nikki Yavari; Jessica Brown
Testimonials
‘Great firm, good to work with. They handle large personal injury cases, on behalf of claimants, achieving the best possible outcome for the client.’
‘Really friendly and efficient, realistic and prompt advice, strong on client care.’
‘The team are diligent and meticulous in their instruction, relate to the expert in a professional manner, are patient and sympathetic and very helpful in their approach.’
Work highlights
- Representing a 76-year-old claimant who developed staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, secondary to thrombophlebitis due to a cannula inserted negligently and left in situ for longer than necessary.
- Acting on behalf of a 69-year-old claimant who was discharged from hospital before a PICC line was removed and who developed a sepsis infection.
- Acted on an RTA case where the client suffered psychological and physical injury.
Harrowells Solicitors
The clinical negligence and catastrophic injury team at Harrowells Solicitors is overseen by Richard Wood. The group ‘goes the extra mile’ for clients and continues to be instructed on a wide range of issues including spinal cord surgery, birth injuries, RTA cases and injuries arising from violent assault in the workplace. John Coulson and the ‘outstanding’ Helen Caulfield are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Richard Wood
Other key lawyers:
John Coulson; Helen Caulfield
Testimonials
‘Experience of high quality legal work and an ability to spot opportunities and exploit them.’
‘A personal service. Great rapport.’
‘Excellent client skills; Richard Wood and John Coulson in particular. Decades of experience between them within clinical negligence. Willing and able to take on truly challenging cases and get results.’
Work highlights
Howells
The clinical negligence department at Howells often handles claims in niche areas such as prison healthcare, violations of the Human Rights Act, inquests and interests of secondary victims. Led by Michelle Gyte, the team also has experience acting on behalf of detained patients as well as matters involving mental health care. Sharon Rinaldi is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and spearheads the personal injury practice.
Practice head(s):
Michelle Gyte; Sharon Rinaldi
Other key lawyers:
Jenna Kisala
Testimonials
‘A team focused on its area of expertise. Good efficient communication and prompt responses.’
‘Easy to communicate with and appear genuinely concerned to give a good service.’
Work highlights
Hudgell Solicitors
Jane Woodcock leads Hudgell Solicitors‘ personal injury practice which focuses on providing high quality rehabilitation support to clients. It handles catastrophic injuries, with experience in neurotrauma, orthopaedic, amputee and chronic pain cases; Rachel Di Clemente and associate Samuel McFadyen are names to note. On the clinical negligence side, Chris Moore and Vince Shore demonstrate ‘excellent leadership’ and are supported by associate Helena Wood, who focuses on surgical errors, delayed cancer diagnoses and obstetric and gynaecological cases. The firm is praised for its ‘professional service delivered with a human heart’.
Practice head(s):
Chris Moore; Vince Shore; Jane Woodcock
Other key lawyers:
Helena Wood; Samuel McFadyen
Testimonials
‘Hudgell’s are an innovative and forward thinking firm who have put considerable thought into providing the best possible service to their clients.’
‘They are hugely dedicated to their clients and have huge experience in getting successful results across the full spectrum of clinical negligence claims.’
‘Clients’ interests are very clearly listened to and appropriate advice is tendered at all times. Clients seem to have a real connection with those representing them. All in all, a professional service delivered with a human heart.’
‘Felt so at ease and never pressured by anyone, always believed in you and made you feel at ease even through difficult times.’
‘Samuel McFadyen – highly talented solicitor, very effective negotiator and communicator, handles the largest of cases with skill and efficiency.’
‘They have excellent leadership in Chris Moore and Vince Shore, who both have a substantial case load of high value, maximum severity claims.’
‘Helena Wood has all the key characteristics of a great claimant lawyer: she is highly dedicated to her clients, she is personable and patient with them, she works hard, and she is realistic about her cases.’
‘I have been impressed by the diversity of the clinical negligence work done by the solicitors at Hudgells – each case is well managed which is testament to the experience of the partners and the quality of the more junior solicitors.’
Work highlights
- Represented the claimant in a successful High Court ruling against Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, relating to a child who suffered life-long brain injury.
- Acted on behalf of a claimant to obtain an on-going package of financial, physical and emotional support following a car accident where he sustained a severe brain injury.
- Represented a claimant after life-threatening injuries following a head-on car crash, including overseeing a complete support package under The Rehabilitation Code.
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell is ‘the best in the business for looking after clients, on both a human and a legal level’. Based in Sheffield, Julianne Moore co-leads the medical negligence practice with Sarah Coles in Leeds. The group has extensive experience handling the gamut of complex, high value negligence claims, specialising in birth injury, spinal injury and amputation cases. The team includes Rachelle Mahapatra, Rachel Roach, Tom Mather, Sarah Rowland and Tim Annett, who work together to provide ‘an excellent and highly personal service’. Adrian Budgen and Sion Kingston jointly lead the personal injury practices in Sheffield and Leeds, respectively. The firm continues to be highly regarded for asbestos disease cases, with Ian Toft noted for his work relating to immunotherapy. The Yorkshire team has a substantial number of APIL accredited specialists, including Rachael Aram and Louise Jenkins . Carolyn Heaton is also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Julianne Moore; Sarah Coles; Adrian Budgen; Sion Kingston
Other key lawyers:
Louise Jenkins; Carolyn Heaton; Rachael Aram; Tim Annett; Sallie Booth; Rachel Roach; Ian Toft; Tom Mather; Sarah Rowland; Claire Newstead; Helen Tomlin; David Withers; Rachelle Mahapatra
Testimonials
‘Irwin Mitchell’s PI team have a wealth of experience, they are approachable and friendly to clients and professionals.’
‘Carolyn Heaton leads a really exceptional team – they are all very committed, enthusiastic and thorough. I highly recommend them all.’
‘IM’s serious injury team in Sheffield is, in my view, one of the best in the country.’
‘The best in the business for looking after clients, on both a human and a legal level.’
‘True leaders in the clin neg field. Highly accomplished in pursuing and succeeding in complex cases.’
‘Sarah Coles – outstanding in her own work and in mentoring and bringing on others in the team.’
‘Sallie Booth stands out for her commercial acumen and judgement. Tim Annett stands out for his compassion and understanding of his clients’ cases.’
‘The outstanding partners are Rachael Aram and David Withers. Rachael’s technical knowledge of the law and her area of injury are second to none. She is utterly committed to her clients and will always work assiduously to ensure the best outcome for them. David is a force of nature. He has huge energy and despite all of the competing demands on his attention, manages his workload and makes bold but correct tactical decisions.’
Work highlights
- Medical negligence bilateral below knee amputation case – delay in diagnosis and treatment of sepsis
- Cerebral palsy case in which Mum always had concerns about sons disabilities but had accepted that was how life was caring for him for 23 years, however 7 years ago became concerned for his future as she got older and instructed us to investigate a case.
- Case involving a misinterpretation of CTG trace during labour which led to a failure to carry out an earlier delivery by C-section. Client suffered cerebral palsy as a result of this delay.
- Deceased presented to hospital with chest pain in April 2015. Misdiagnosed as musculoskeletal pain instead of angina. 3 weeks later he died following cardiac arrest whilst driving a lorry. With diagnosis and treatment, death would have been avoided.
- Staff failed to recognise that during pregnancy the baby needed delivering as an emergency and was left to full term. The Claimant as a result was subjected to chronic intrauterine hypoxia, causing diplegic Cerebral palsy, learning difficulties and additional needs for care and therapy and equipment.
Minton Morrill
The specialist clinical negligence team at Minton Morrill has a strong track record of recovering high value damages in birth injury claims. Practice head Simon Minton is an ‘exceptional solicitor’ specialising in cases involving child brain injury, with an emphasis on cerebral palsy. The group is well equipped to handle Court of Protection work, with Julia Morrill and Sahida Patel – whom clients consider a ‘true diamond’ – often acting as deputies in such cases. Associates Lisa Whitworth and Guy Pomphrey provide strong support to the team, with experience in neonatal death cases and fatal accident claims.
Practice head(s):
Simon Minton
Other key lawyers:
Julia Morrill; Sahida Patel; Guy Pomphrey; Lisa Whitworth
Testimonials
‘Minton Morrill stands out head and shoulders above its competitors, despite being small in size. It delivers unparalleled client service with compassion, courtesy and diligence.’
‘Simon Minton is an exceptional solicitor, who leaves no stone unturned in ensuring every detail of a client’s case is correct. He has imbued those who work for him with the same ethos, and the firm provides an extremely impressive service within its specialist niche.’
‘Sahida Patel is a wonderful person. Sahida is focused and fastidious in her work. We feel blessed that she is on our side. A true diamond.’
‘The team at Minton Morrill have a really good solid reputation.’
‘For me there is one standout individual and that is Guy Pomphrey. He is exceptionally good, bright and personable. Really excellent.’
‘The team have specialist and in-depth clinical negligence knowledge. The cases are run with expertise and confidence.’
‘This practice is very approachable, friendly and caring in its nature. They are able to use a wide variety of video calling where necessary and are respectful to the client’s home life when visiting in person.’
‘Lisa Whitworth is my key associate and I could not rate her highly enough. Lisa is approachable, friendly, and able to explain things in a way that those who are not in the profession can understand.’
Work highlights
Pryers Solicitors LLP
Pryers Solicitors LLP is a specialist firm handling clinical negligence, personal injury and Court of Protection cases. The team has extensive experience advising on birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy as well as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and neuro-surgical issues. Practice leadership is split four ways between Richard Starkie, Robyn Hawxby, Carmel Walsh and Lisa Swales who form a ‘very friendly and professional’ team. The group regularly provides advocacy services for bereaved families at inquests and long-term support to clients.
Practice head(s):
Richard Starkie; Robyn Hawxby; Carmel Walsh; Lisa Swales
Other key lawyers:
Tamlin Bolton
Testimonials
‘This is a strong, compassionate firm with a good track record of achieving results and a client-focused approach.’
‘I have found working with Pryers to be a very positive experience.’
‘Right from the start this team was caring and put me at ease with every stage of my case. They kept me informed about everything and communication was excellent!’
Work highlights
Ramsdens Solicitors LLP
The clinical negligence and personal injury team at Ramsdens Solicitors LLP is led by abuse law specialist Natalie Marrison. The group is noted for its expertise in complex inquest work, with Marrison and associate Rachel Sharp acting as advocates at inquests following deaths at work, in the public domain, on the road or following instances of medical malpractice. It also continues to develop its clinical negligence offering, with the arrival of APIL accredited solicitor Nick Stojanovic from Hudgell Solicitors in January 2022. Areas of expertise include advising on serious birth injuries and delayed cancer diagnoses.
Practice head(s):
Natalie Marrison
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Sharp; Alison Palmer
Testimonials
‘Ramsdens has a growing team comprised of exceptional fee earners. They handle a range of cases with an acute awareness of the impact that clinical negligence claims have upon those who suffer damage as a result of it.’
‘Ramsdens are innovative and forward thinking.’
‘This team works at the heart of every matter and keeps the client central to all issues at all times with exceptional communication skills and knowledge in their field that is second to none.’
Work highlights
Stewarts Law LLP
Stewarts Law LLP is ‘without doubt a market leader for serious injury litigation in Yorkshire.’ Jointly led by Frank Pinch and Daniel Herman, it maintains a strong reputation for its work in the catastrophic injury and clinical negligence spaces. The group is regularly instructed on complex life-changing issues including spinal cord and brain injuries as well as amputations, severe orthopaedic and neurological injuries. It has experience litigating cases both in England and overseas and stands out for its ‘Rolls Royce service’ and ‘exceptional client care’. The team has an impressive pool of senior associates, including the ‘outstanding’ Gabrielle Ross, Anna Higham, and former nurse Amy Fielding. Ben Townsend and Warren Maxwell are also recommended; the former has experience in equestrian cases.
Practice head(s):
Frank Pinch; Daniel Herman
Other key lawyers:
Warren Maxwell; Amy Fielding; Gabrielle Ross; Rebecca Hill; Chris Smith; Anna Higham; Ben Townsend; Carly Plant
Testimonials
‘Stewarts is without doubt a market leader for serious injury litigation in Yorkshire.’
‘The team have been outstanding with both the professional side of my claim as well as the personal side and I would highly recommend them.’
‘They provide a Rolls Royce service; exceptional client care; incredibly well resourced and they get fantastic results.’
‘An extremely well-resourced firm. Very high calibre of lawyer. They limit the number of cases that any one person handles to ensure attention to detail, efficient handling of cases and the best outcome for clients. Well managed and well-led.’
‘The team at Stewarts are absolutely excellent. They regularly achieve very high settlements for their clients while still managing to put the client at the centre of what they do. They are innovative and break new ground.’
‘The team is composed of Frank Pinch, Anna Higham and Gabrielle Ross. All are very talented solicitors with encyclopaedic knowledge of spinal injury cases.’
‘Daniel Herman – incisively intelligent, calm and collected and a master of his craft; and Ben Townsend – meticulous attention to detail and not afraid to take on cases which others find too complex.’
‘Gabrielle Ross is particularly outstanding. She is a dedicated individual with exceptional talent. She is organised, perceptive and explores avenues within claims that others would likely bypass. She leaves no stone unturned and is a credit to her firm and profession.’
Work highlights
- Representing a claimant who suffered brain haemorrhage, stroke and spinal cord damage arising out of delayed response to problems after spinal surgery.
- Representing a claimant who became paraplegic after spinal surgeons wrongly attributed her decline after surgery to a spinal stroke, when it was in fact the result of further collapse of bones in her spinal column causing cord compression.
- Representing claimant in his thirties who was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome at hospital but was not then listed for emergency surgery to relieve pressure on delicate nerve fibres.
Switalskis Solicitors
At Switalskis Solicitors, Suzanne Munroe leads the clinical negligence team that consists of director Sarah Tipton Walker and legal executive Sian Stevens. The group is regularly instructed on claims arising from poor standards of maternity care, including neurological injury, sepsis, Erb’s palsy, stillbirths and neonatal deaths; Natalie Cosgrove is an expert in the last of these. Mark Hollinghurst is head of the brain and serious injury department, and has developed a niche specialism in claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority relating to serious brain injury. The firm has also built a strong reputation for its work around child sexual exploitation, with the child abuse claims unit spearheaded by David Greenwood. It acts on behalf of survivors of childhood abuse and has experience in child abuse litigation relating to the church. The firm recently completed a merger with Doncaster’s Atherton Godfrey, a firm with a stellar reputation in handling child brain injury cases. The team joining as part of the merger has strong capabilities in cases relating to cerebral palsy, amputation and spinal injury. Key names include John McQuater and Diane Parker, who jointly lead the personal injury department in Doncaster, and ‘knowledgeable, courteous and professional‘ medical negligence senior associate Christopher Noble.
Practice head(s):
David Greenwood; Mark Hollinghurst; Suzanne Munroe
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Tipton Walker; Sian Stevens; Natalie Cosgrove; John McQuater; Christopher Noble; Diane Parker; Bob Allen; Julie Tansey
Testimonials
‘The team have a genuine understanding of the wider issues faced by families including the burden litigation is likely to have on mental health. The team took on tasks and work behind the scenes to ensure this added stress was not passed on to us as their clients.’
‘Switalskis provide motivated and insightful solicitors who regularly supply high quality instructions from an expert perspective. They are knowledgeable and experienced, as well as friendly. I regard them as a fantastic firm and certainly one of the best in their area.’
‘Particular mention to Natalie Cosgrove who is a rare beacon of hope in an otherwise dark and bleak period of our lives.’
‘Caring and professional from the get-go. Easy to get answers.’
‘Sian Stevens is an exceptional legal practitioner.’
‘All of Switalskis medical negligence team are wonderful. They genuinely care about the outcome of their clients, they are friendly and approachable and good communicators. Suzanne Munroe is excellent at leading by example, and the rest of the team follow her lead. Sarah Tipton Walker is also excellent.’
‘Mark Hollinghurst is a premier league solicitor. He has a superb knowledge of the law and his ability to digest and understand complex and extensive documentation is second to none.’
‘The team at Switalskis are a pleasure to work with. Their dedication, professionalism and efficiency is second to none. Their effective communication and meticulousness is highly sought after and effectively assists the collaborative working of all professionals involved.’
Work highlights
- Ongoing claim into the death of baby C. The coroner concluded that C died as a result of skull fractures caused by both attempted forceps delivery and release of a deeply impacted head at C-Section. In 2016 there had been a Review of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust by The Royal College of Obstetricians. A BBC Freedom of Information request showed that no changes had been made to maternity services in the intervening period, putting mums and babies at risk for a further 4 years. The Trust Board only released the RCOG Review on the morning of C’s inquest.
- Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has admitted to causing the stillbirth of baby H. The mother’s labour was mismanaged. The Trust’s investigation was inadequate and an external investigation had to be undertaken, but only after the parents pressured the Trust for this. It was concluded that H’s death was ‘almost certainly preventable.’ The claims settled for 2.8m in what is thought to be the largest settlement for a stillbirth claim in the UK.
- Nottingham University Hospitals Trust has admitted to causing the death of baby W. The coroner concluded that neglect had caused W’s death on the basis of a multitude of failures. The early care of the mother was littered with departures from Local and National Guidance which led to multiple missed opportunities to seek earlier medical care for baby W. Quantum investigations are ongoing as mother has sustained serious physical injuries.
Taylor Emmet
Based in Sheffield, Taylor & Emmet LLP provide a ‘personable, professional and prompt’ service. Led by Jonathan Stittle, the personal injury team handles the full gamut of claims, including fatal accidents, catastrophic injuries and fast-track matters. It works closely with the firm’s probate and trusts department to meet the holistic needs of injured clients, for example by helping to set up personal injury trusts. James Drydale leads on clinical negligence matters and is supported by associate Samantha Sims. The group’s successful Legal Aid franchise assists claimants who have suffered birth injuries, including cerebral palsy, with appropriate legal funding.
Practice head(s):
James Drydale; Jonathan Stittle
Other key lawyers:
Kathryn May; Samantha Sims
Testimonials
‘Taylor & Emmet, as a practice, is incredibly personable, professional and prompt. They showed genuine concern for my wellbeing, and took measures to ensure that I was comfortable for the entire process, and assuaged any concerns when they arose.’
‘Jonathan Stittle has provided me with excellent service giving calm, sensible and knowledgeable advice. He has kept on top of the deadlines and has been proactive in his approach.’
‘Nothing is too much trouble for James Drydale and his team. They keep us updated at every opportunity and also show great compassion in every liaison with them.’
Work highlights
- Settled a case for £1m on behalf of a claimant who, after a misdiagnosis of a knee injury, suffered serious mental and physical trauma.
- Acted on behalf of a claimant whose partner passed away after a CT scan missed an aortic dissection.
- Acted on behalf of a claimant whose partner passed away due to a mix-up after a CT scan, which put her through as an urgent outpatient appointment, rather than an urgent inpatient appointment, resulting in a stroke.
The Asbestos Law Partnership LLP
The Asbestos Law Partnership LLP fields a team of APIL accredited occupational and asbestos disease specialists, including key partners Paul Glanville, Fozia Hussain and Helen Wilson. The group specialises in asbestos litigation, with experience acting for clients nationally and overseas in claims involving mesothelioma. It has strong ties with asbestos support groups based in the UK and has further strengthened its offering with the arrival of Louise Larkin, former head of the North West asbestos team at Thompsons Solicitors LLP, in January 2022.
Practice head(s):
Paul Glanville; Fozia Hussain; Helen Wilson
Other key lawyers:
Louise Larkin
Testimonials
‘The service we received was second to none. They were knowledgeable and extremely patient and diligent.’
‘The lawyers at the Asbestos Law Partnership do what it says on the tin – they have massive experience in asbestos disease litigation. Any client of theirs can be confident that they will get a first-class service.’
‘The team at The Asbestos Law Partnership is the absolute best you can find. I liked it because it was a small team that dealt exclusively in asbestos disease.’
Work highlights
- Secured an award of £780,000 for an Australian claimant whose husband died from mesothelioma aged 58.
- Acted in an environmental exposure case which involved asbestos blowing from a local authority tip into the claimantt’s garden, and thereby caused her death from mesothelioma.
- Acted on a mesothelioma claim and secured an award of £400,000 within 4 months of instruction.
Thompsons Solicitors LLP
Thompsons Solicitors LLP‘s ‘small but mighty’ Leeds team is considered by clients to be a ‘standout performer’. It has extensive experience handling high value claims that involve brain and spinal injury; ‘powerhouse’ Helen Shakespeare and Janet Hall are noted for their expertise in this area. Elsewhere, the group is regularly involved in asbestos-related disease claims under the leadership of specialist Marion Voss. Phil Kyte is a multi-track accident lawyer who specialises in employers’ liability, road traffic accidents and fatal accident claims. Shakespeare, Voss, and Kyte jointly lead the practice with Mark Allen.
Practice head(s):
Helen Shakespeare; Marion Voss; Phil Kyte; Mark Allen
Other key lawyers:
Janet Hall
Testimonials
‘This is a team with considerable experience in industrial disease litigation, particularly involving asbestos claims. Very hands-on.’
‘Thompsons really do care more than other firms I’ve come across, invariably prioritising the client’s interests. They are very, very impressive.’
‘Thompsons has a focus on client care that is unique, in my experience, among the higher end firms. They really do put the client first, every single time.’
Work highlights
Wake Smith Solicitors Limited
The clinical negligence team at Wake Smith Solicitors Limited has significant experience in cases concerning neuro-disability; practice head Terry Regan has a particular specialism in this area, handling birth injury as well as neurological trauma from surgery and disease. Other areas of expertise include cosmetic surgery, surgical injury, cases involving the Human Rights Act 1998 and breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights. Scott Haslam also has experience in cancer cases and fatal claims. John Vallance retired in October 2021.
Practice head(s):
Terry Regan
Other key lawyers:
Scott Haslam; Kate Lax
Testimonials
‘Wake Smith has a small but very effective team of clinical negligence specialists who take on quality cases and undertake them effectively.’
‘They are a truly fabulous team, and a market leader among small boutique clinical negligence firms.’
‘A small but hugely impressive team with great access to IT. They handle very high-value complex cases. Client care and welfare are at the forefront of their mind throughout claims.
Work highlights
- Acted on behalf of a claimant who suffered cerebral palsy as a result of negligence, and succeeded in recovering damages of £12m in an action against an NHS Trust.
- Represented a claimant who experienced a leg amputation in a multi-million-pound claim.