Lauded as ‘one of the best clinical negligence teams in the South West’, Barcan+Kirby LLP harnesses a deep bench of experts to undertake complex injury cases, notably concerning cerebral palsy, head and spinal injuries and fatal accidents. The Bristol team is spearheaded by Richard Harries, a highly respected practitioner with over two decades of experience representing clients in high-value clinical negligence cases involving late diagnoses, severe birth injuries and surgical negligence. Jay Nathwani leverages ‘a very impressive knowledge of the sector’, specialising in complex brain injury claims; cerebral palsy-expert Helen Franklin is recommended for her ‘great empathy’ towards clients; and the ‘superb’ Charlotte Tracy handles a wide range of claims, including birth injuries and fatal accidents, with a particular focus on cases involving paediatrics and obstetrics. Consultant Claire Hurrell is a key contact for matters relating to brain damage during birth or in the neonatal period, and ‘fearless litigator’ Fiona Dabell also comes recommended.

Operating at the ‘cutting edge of clinical negligence work’, the team at Clarke Willmott LLP represents claimants in a wide range of maximum severity cases, involving birth injuries, complex surgical errors and delayed diagnoses. The firm is also noted for its inquest practice, with practice head Marguarita Tyne leading on complex dependency and fatal injury claims, as well as loss of fertility and surrogacy issues. Kerry Fifield specialises in birth and paediatric cases, while Vanessa Harris stands out for her expertise in OASI and maternal birth injuries. Taunton-based James Edmondson is recommended for going ‘above and beyond’ in surgical negligence cases, with Court of Appeal and Supreme Court experience. Isabel Harper is another name to note. All practitioners are based in Bristol unless otherwise stated.

‘Replete with depth and expertise’, Enable Law‘s renowned clinical negligence practice is well equipped to advise clients on the full spectrum of claims, with a sizeable team of specialists in birth injuries, neonatal death, delayed diagnosis of cancer and catastrophic stroke cases. The firm’s South West offering spans multiple offices, with practice head Robert Antrobus leading on birth injury and meningitis claims in Plymouth; Bristol-based Gillian Clark handling birth injuries, and Paul Sankey achieving ‘excellent results’ for claims involving medical consent and negligent treatment by health professionals, while Mike Bird handles brain and spine injury claims in Cornwall. In Exeter, Michelle Biddulph heads up the national clinical negligence team, leading on complex, maximum severity cases. Other key names are Claire Stoneman, Jackie Linehan, Alex McKnight and Claire Leslie.

The ‘first-rate’ medical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell has established a strong reputation in the South West, representing claimants in a wide range of high-value catastrophic injury cases. In Bristol, practice head Julie Lewis is regarded as a ‘standout star’, with a robust specialism in birth injury matters. Luke Trevorrow is noted for his work in group action litigation, representing clients in claims against both NHS and private healthcare providers, while Elise Burvill has expertise in delays in cancer diagnosis and fatal psychiatric cases. James Pink leverages ‘excellent client care skills’ across a wide spectrum of injury claims, often involving complex surgical injuries and stomas.

RWK Goodman has a strong reputation for handling high-value clinical negligence claims in the South West, with notable specialisms in catastrophic birth injury and dental negligence cases. The Somerset-based team is led by Simon Elliman, who specialises in matters involving maximum severity spinal cord injuries and cauda equina syndrome, while Paul Rumley is highly regarded for settling high-value and complex birth injury claims. Other key names include Ali Batchelor, who handles complex inquests and fatal claims; Naomi Todd, who heads up the specialist dental negligence team; and the ‘exceptional’ Kerstin Scheel, who represents claimants in obstetric cases, notably involving cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. Associates Abigail Ringer and Hannah Blackwell also come recommended.

Spearheaded by Endurance Arthur, who is an esteemed specialist in birth-related injuries, Tozers Solicitors LLP is distinguished for its market-leading Erb’s palsy practice. Other key specialisms include infection claims, notably Group B Strep infections, as well as claims relating to brain injuries masked by therapeutic hypothermia in wrongful birth cases. Simon Mansfield represents claimants in a broad suite of high-value clinical negligence claims and inquests, while Clair Hemming specialises in catastrophic neurological injury claims involving Erb’s palsy. Michelle Beckett, Kate Stone and Helena Campbell are also key contacts for claims arising from delayed diagnoses, negligently performed surgeries and a range of obstetric issues.

The team at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP harnesses ‘extensive knowledge’ in a broad suite of clinical negligence issues, notably birth injuries, cauda equina syndrome and delays in diagnoses and misdiagnosis. The team is co-led by managing partner Adrian Cormack, a complex brain injury claims specialist, and David Simpson, who handles cases involving cauda equina, mismanaged labour and amputations. The ‘pragmatic’ Lydia Barnett comes recommended for her wide-ranging practice in complex and high-value claims, with notable expertise in secondary victim claims for psychiatric injury.

The clinical negligence team at Coodes Solicitors has a robust birth injury practice, representing claimants in high-value cases involving cerebral palsy, stillbirths and neonatal deaths. The team has additional specialisms in fatal accidents and mental health issues, representing clients at inquests concerning preventable suicides of psychiatric patients. Rachel Pearce leads the Falmouth-based practice, acting for clients in birth injury, misdiagnosis and surgical error claims. The ‘very experienced’ Julie Hatton is highlighted for her expertise in obstetrics and gynaecology cases, acting in both litigation and mediation.

Slee Blackwell‘s clinical negligence team combines an ‘unwavering commitment to excellence’ with a client-centric approach to represent claimants in the South West and throughout the UK. With offices in Barnstaple and Taunton, the team handles a variety of claims, including birth injury, cosmetic surgery and high-profile mesh litigation. In Barnstaple, Oliver Thorne spearheads the practice, specialising in cases involving baby loss and birth injury, with a particular focus on maternal rights. Working between Barnstaple and Taunton, the ‘exceptional’ Caroline Webber-Brown is highlighted for her expertise in complex mesh litigation and gynaecological negligence, supported by Taunton-based associate Clarissa Ellerington.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP harnesses a network of clinical negligence specialists across its national offering, acting as ‘ruthless advocates’ for clients in the South West and throughout the UK. Key specialisms of the team include birth injuries and delayed diagnosis, alongside a particularly strong mesh-related litigation practice. The ‘excellent’ Sabeena Pirooz leads the Bristol office, handling the full spectrum of clinical negligence claims.

The dedicated clinical negligence practice at Wolferstans in highlighted for its ‘great strength in depth’, with a sizeable team of practitioners specialising in a wide range of claims. In Plymouth, Elizabeth Smith heads up the team, providing ‘excellent legal analysis’ to cases involving brain injuries; while Peter Tassart harnesses expertise in spinal injuries and amputation claims; and Barry Bayley and Holly Bowditch specialise in brain and birth injury cases. James Snell is noted for his ‘great eye for detail’, handling claims involving orthopaedic injuries and conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat.

Lyons Davidson offers a ‘first-rate service’ to clients in clinical negligence claims, ranging from low-value to maximum severity injuries and catastrophic incidents. In Bristol, the clinical negligence practice falls within the firm’s expansive civil division, with team lead Joanna Laidlaw specialising in child brain injury cases. Tabitha Rooks is recommended for high-value clinical negligence claims, noted for obtaining ‘great results’ for clients. Associate Sana Akram handles a broad range of cases, involving stroke, amputation and birth injury issues.

The clinical negligence offering at Red Kite Law LLP was significantly bolstered by the arrival of Madeleine Pinschof in 2024, who now heads up the Cirencester practice. Pinschof is highly regarded as a ‘superb legal mind’ with extensive expertise in the full spectrum of clinical negligence cases. Notable specialisms include cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases, as well as leveraging considerable mesh litigation experience.

Operating across offices in Salisbury, Poole and Southampton, the team at Trethowans LLP leverages ‘great strength and depth’ to represent clients in wide-ranging, high-value claims. Southampton-based John Hall leads the team, comprised of specialists in cases involving cerebral palsy, birth injuries, surgical negligence and delayed diagnoses. The ‘immensely capable and hardworking’ James Braund heads up the Poole office, with notable expertise in claims relating to spinal and head injuries, amputations and other catastrophic injuries.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP ‘delivers an exceptional service’ to claimants in clinical negligence matters, with notable experience in cross-border cases. As a sub-specialism within the firm’s travel, tourism and insurance practice, the Exeter-based team is co-led by Bronwen Courtenay-Stamp and Tom Sampford. Sampford harnesses experience acting for both claimants and defendants, with strong expertise in cases relating to birth injuries, spinal injuries and delays in cancer diagnoses.

The ‘balanced, strong and hardworking team’ at Wollens represents clients in the full breadth of clinical negligence claims, garnering a particularly strong reputation for its specialism in claims involving delays in the diagnosis or misdiagnosis of cancer. At the helm, Elizabeth Larner is highlighted for her ‘unparalleled’ client care, leading on high-value surgical error, delay and misdiagnosis claims. Catherine Pinnegar specialises in delayed diagnosis and fatal injury cases, alongside an expanding inquest practice, while Hannah Goodman is noted for her expertise in cosmetic surgery claims.