Meet the team

Deals

This is a complex birth injury case involving a delay in delivering LX which caused a hypoxic ischaemic brain injury manifested as severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy.  We investigated liability with a team of experts (midwifery, neuroradiology, neurology, obstetrics, neonatology) and input from senior counsel, served a letter of claim and secured a full admission. Judgment was entered and significant interim payments on account of damages were secured and used to employ a case manager and a multi-disciplinary team of therapists. We are in the process of investigating quantum. IM’s COP team are appointed professional deputy.

We were instructed by Cyril Short to investigate a claim for delayed diagnosis of an upper GI cancer from March 2014. Mr Short was just 59 years old at the time of the alleged negligence. Allegations were made against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust for their failure to properly investigate Mr Short’s weight loss, abdominal pain and anaemia. We alleged that had appropriate investigations been undertaken, Mr Short’s cancer would have been diagnosed some 29-34 months earlier; the tumour would have measured 1-2cm rather than 5cm and surgical resection would have led to a full cure. Mr Short sadly passed away in December 2019, age 64.

Irwin Mitchell accepted instructions from Mr Short to investigate the claim in 2017 and dealt with the claim sensitively due to his terminal diagnosis of cancer. After Mr Short passed away, we took instructions from his widow, but she then sadly also passed away from cancer just one year later. The couple’s only son continued the claim, which was understandably stressful for him given the loss of both parents and also because the Defendant denied liability. Irwin Mitchell issued proceedings at Court, and the Defendant made a good Part 36 offer before serving their Defence. We negotiated with the Defendant and reached an excellent settlement.

This is a complex, high value birth injury case arising from negligent management of NX’s delivery which caused trauma to his head and caused him to suffer a significant brain injury. He is severely autistic and has incredibly complex needs, requiring a future care package of 2:1 carers, 24 hours a day for the rest of his life. He requires significant therapy input from a specialised team including OT, SALT, physio, neuropsychology, as well as assistive technology, new specially adapted accommodation and specialist equipment. We investigated liability with a team of experts (neuroradiology, neurology, obstetrics, neonatology) and input from senior counsel, served a letter of claim and secured a full admission. Judgment was entered and significant interim payments on account of damages were secured and used to employ a case manager, multi-disciplinary team of therapists, purchase and adapt a property of the client, and employ a team of support workers. We subsequently investigated quantum with a team of 10 experts which has allowed us to quantify the claim and prepare for JSM in March 2023 and trial in May 2023. IM’s COP team are appointed professional deputy and IM Asset Management are instructed to advise on the structure of the proposed settlement and investment of damages.

Organigram

Team Services

We remain the largest dedicated market leading medical negligence team in the region with a significant number of highly experienced medical negligence lawyers working across two offices. We have 79 case handlers, including 42 qualified lawyers, solely practicing medical negligence.

The Yorkshire teams have recovered in excess of £100 million in damages for clients during 2022 handling complex and challenging cases which is evidence of the excellent outcomes we have achieved for our clients.

Our Yorkshire teams are led by 2 Partners, Sarah Coles, Regional Head for our Leeds team and Julianne Moore, Regional Head of our Sheffield team, who are both recognised leaders in the medical negligence field. Both Julianne and Sarah sit on the Irwin Mitchell National Medical Negligence Executive Board. Each Regional Head is supported by additional partners including: Tom Mather; Sarah Rowland; Anna Stacey, Tania Harrison; and Tim Annett in Sheffield, and Rachelle Mahapatra, Rachel Roach and newly promoted Partner, Samuel Hill, in Leeds (The latter also supports the Newcastle team); all are highly regarded leaders in their field. Julianne and Rachelle are recognised as leading individuals.

We deal with all types of negligence cases, specialising in complex high-value claims: birth injury including cerebral palsy; spinal injury; adult acquired brain injury; and amputation cases. We also have specialist inquest groups providing assistance to families where there has been a death due to medical care.

Testimonials

Awards and Recognition

National Personal Injury Awards

During 2022 we were shortlisted at the national PI Awards for Outstanding Achievement of the Year, recognising our Support & Rehabilitation Co-ordinators contribution to support our clients.

National Personal Injury Awards

Outstanding Case of the Year, for the second year in a row.

National Personal Injury Awards

Marketing Campaign of the Year.

5* TrustPilot Status

We have been awarded 5 * Trust Pilot Status and our Leeds and Sheffield teams have received 64 (top level) 5* Trust Pilot client reviews during 2022 alone, demonstrating the team’s commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients.