Rachelle Mahapatra > Irwin Mitchell > Leeds, England > Lawyer Profile

Irwin Mitchell Offices

Irwin Mitchell
4 WELLINGTON PLACE
LEEDS
LS1 4BZ
England
Visit website 0113 234 3333 0113 234 3322

Rachelle Mahapatra

Rachelle Mahapatra photo
0370 1500 100 rachelle.mahapatra@irwinmitchell.com

Work Department

Clinical Negligence

Position

I am a Partner in the Medical negligence team in Leeds and the Regional Managing Partner of the Leeds office.

I have specialised in medical negligence for most of my career since qualifying in 1993.

Over the years I have represented hundreds of people affected by Medical Accidents including babies who are injured during their delivery causing serious brain injuries, maternal injuries including placental abruption and maternal haemorrhage and stillbirths and Neonatal death. I also have experience of cases involving the negligent management of Neonatal emergencies including missed Hypoglycaemia, Sepsis and Encephalitis which all resulted in serious brain injuries.

In adults I have experience of surgical negligence caused during elective procedures, unnecessary amputation due to surgical error, spinal injuries caused by surgery or missed spinal Abscess resulting in permanent paralysis. I have experience of dealing with late diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

In 1993, I was appointed to represent the patients in a government ordered inquiry investigating the inappropriate conduct of Drs Kerr and Haslam, reporting in 2005. I subsequently settled the former patients damages claims.

Career

I trained at Hartley Wostenholme solicitors in West Yorkshire 1991 to 1993, Partner 1996-2001, Keeble Hawson Partner 2001-2002. I joined Irwin Mitchell as an associate solicitor in 2002 and was promoted to partner in 2007. I am a former trustee of the Dogs Trust (1997 to 2014) I am a member of the Yorkshire and Humber board of business in the community.

Memberships

Accidents against victims of Medical Accidents specialist panel member, Law Society Clinical Negligence panel member, Association of PI Lawyers (APIL) Fellow.

Education

Woodhouse Grove School, Bradford; East Anglia Polytechnic (LLB); York Law School (Law Society finals); Leeds Metropolitan University (diploma in personal injury litigation).

Leisure

Horse riding – in 2008 rode across Transylvania to raise funds for World Horse Welfare, keen follower of the arts.

Lawyer Rankings

Yorkshire and the Humber > Insurance > Clinical negligence: claimant

(Leading individuals)

Rachelle Mahapatra – 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.

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