Carson McDowell‘s healthcare claims and defence insurance litigation team is known for its robust defence-side clinical negligence practice and its strengths in personal injury claims, covering employers’ liability, public liability and product liability. Roger McMillan and Jacqueline McAleese co-lead the clinical negligence defence department. McMillan is a go-to for medical defence organisations and is an expert in neurology-related claims, while ’excellent’ litigator McAleese focuses on defending birth and brain injury cases. Catherine Carton and Cathal O’Neill head up the insurance personal injury team. Carton has a broad workload, from bullying and harassment in the workplace to industrial disease claims. O’Neill is experienced in handling significant asbestos claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Catherine Carton and Cathal O'Neill provide an exceptional service, and are always available and approachable.’

  • ‘Excellent quality solicitors, very well-organised and resourced.’

  • ‘Cathal O'Neill and Catherine Carton are both brilliant solicitors; hard-working and very sensible - never trying to reinvent the wheel where it's not necessary.’

  • ‘Catherine Carton: very impressive. Seeks cost-effective, quick solutions. Cathal O'Neill - eye for detail, experienced in complex insurance litigation.’

  • ‘Analytical, detailed advice, careful consideration of each case.’

  • ‘Experts in their field - the go-to firm for defending clinical negligence claims. An extremely well-connected team that provides consistently excellent advice. They are very knowledgeable in their field, and their understanding and standing in the jurisdiction is second to none.’

Key clients

  • The Medical Protection Society
  • Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland
  • Dental Protection
  • National Pharmaceutical Association
  • Association of Optometrists
  • Medical Defence Union
  • Beazley Group
  • WRB Underwriting
  • Personal Injury – Defendant
  • Great Lakes SE
  • AIA Australia
  • Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Lawyers

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Cathal O’Neill

Practice head

Roger McMillan; Jacqueline McAleese; Cathal O’Neill; Catherine Carton