Hall Of Fame

Clinical negligence: defendant in West Midlands

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP fields a  ‘strong team’, which is ‘always well prepared for its cases’. Practice head Tim Hodgetts is a known name for his work on behalf of NHS Resolution and NHS Trusts in the defence of clinical negligence cases. Hodgetts often acts for leading insurers advising on a broad array of medical malpractice issues. Lauren Halliday is another key figure who has a wide-ranging caseload of high-value claims involving brain, spinal and surgical injuries. Elena Goodfellow is also highly regarded for her handling of numerous complex cases, and for her advice to the firm’s medical malpractice insurer clients. Adrian Dagnall retired in May 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tim Hodgetts


Autres avocats clés:

Elena Goodfellow; Raj Kang; Lauren Halliday


Les références

‘Good strength and depth with excellent knowledge of the sector. Tim Hodgetts: a balanced and cheerful team leader who keeps everything in perspective.’

‘Elena Goodfellow: a clever and industrious associate who punches well above her weight. Never loses sight of the key issues in a case even amid the welter of detail. Raj Kang: a calm and measured senior associate.’ 

‘The team at Bevan Brittan is first class. They are extremely thorough in their approach yet easily relatable. I consider the following individuals to be excellent solicitors: Tim Hodgetts and Raj Kang. I would have no trouble in recommending them to anyone.’

Principaux clients

NHS Resolution


MedPro


The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust


Guys & St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust


University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust


C.N.A Hardy


St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Homerton NHS Foundation Trust


Taunton & Somerset NHS Foundation Trust


The Whittington Health NHS Trust


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising NHS Resolution on behalf of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust on a successful appeal in the Supreme Court on secondary victim claims in a clinical negligence context.
  • Advising NHS Resolution for Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust and was successful at trial in defending a delayed diagnosis of cancer claim.

Browne Jacobson LLP

Browne Jacobson LLP has a large and well-established national clinical negligence defendant practice, as well as a first-rate social care offering. The practice receives plaudits for its ‘good partner overview of complex claims'. It has many excellent practitioners, including Jonathan Fuggle who has particular expertise in spinal surgery claims. Sarah Manning is adept at defending substantial clinical negligence claims, and Sian Brown  leads its specialist maternity division. Sarah White garners praise for her work on obstetric claims. Legal director Emma Rees and newly promoted partner Louise Jeffers both play a pivotal role in the practice too.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jonathan Fuggle; Sarah Manning; Sian Brown; Sarah White


Autres avocats clés:

Emma Rees; Louise Jeffers; Kate Westley


Les références

‘Browne Jacobson provides top tier service for its healthcare defendant clients in this region. Its legal teams and client care are consistently high calibre, and its cases carefully and thoroughly prepared. It has strong working relationships with counsel and medico legal experts.’

‘I worked closely with Louise Jeffers. She was at all times well-organised, responsive and had strong relationships with their Trust and NHSR colleagues.’ 

‘ Their swiftness in response, the clarity of the advice provided and the support given to officers and stakeholders in the process has been second to none.’

Principaux clients

Medical Protection Society (National)


NHS Resolution (National)


Dental Protection Limited (National)


Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (Midlands)


Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust


CNA Hardy


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals (North West)


University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust


Essex Partnership University NHS Trust


University Hospital of Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (South West)


Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP provides an ‘excellent all round service for their Trust clients. Heavyweight matters are dealt with efficiently and reliably.’ The team excels in defending all manner of claims for various NHS trusts from catastrophic injury, misdiagnosis, birth injury and surgical errors, to fatal accidents. It also has substantial expertise in group claims. Deborah Bannister , Sarah Hopwood and Tony Yeaman  are highly recommended. Jasmine Armstrong continues to be busy advising various healthcare organisations, and has conducted numerous defendant clinical negligence claims for NHS Resolution. Maryam Storr is adept at handling a broad range of claims, including those of the utmost severity. Christian Lowden is another name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Deborah Bannister; Jasmine Armstrong; Sarah Hopwood; Tony Yeaman


Autres avocats clés:

Maryam Storr; Christian Lowden; Melanie Isherwood; Balraj Sihota


Les références

‘Weightmans run their caseload extremely well and thoroughly. ’

‘I must give special mention to Melanie Isherwood, her commitment and tenacity has been extraordinary to behold. She has really gone beyond anything that could reasonably have been expected of her. ’

‘With an impressive coverage across the country Weightmans offers an outstanding level of legal support for its clients. ’

Principaux clients

NHS Resolution


Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust


Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital NHS FT


Herefordshire and Worcestershire Combined Legal services NHS Trust


Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust


Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust


Wye Valley NHS Trust


University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS FT


University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS FT


University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS FT


Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHST


Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust


Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS FT


Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust


Weight to Go Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust on a brain injury that was sustained following a collapse in a psychiatric unit.
  • Advised University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Foundation Trust on a delay in diagnosing a spinal fracture , which meant the fixation was not as strong as it would otherwise have been. Complex causation arguments as to whether there was a risk of paralysis due to weak fixation. Provisional damages sought and agreed on carefully drafted terms.
  • Advised University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Foundation Trust on a surgery for pancreatic cancer and damage to the spleen: consent and causation issues disputed and a claim for £1m+ damages was presented. Complex witness and expert evidence required to demonstrate the liability risks leading to negotiated settlement at £200,000.

Capsticks LLP

The ‘always helpful’ team at Capsticks LLP has a significant medical malpractice team, and has one of the largest healthcare inquest teams in the country. It is also part of a strong national offering. Out of Birmingham, Charlotte Rathbone works on several complex clinical negligence claims on behalf of NHS Trusts and GPs, on instruction from NHS Resolution. Lucy Erskine specialises in complicated neurological injuries, with particular experience in obstetric and wrongful birth claims. London-based Peter Marquand  is also recommended- he is the national head of department.

Responsables de la pratique:

Charlotte Rathbone; Lucy Erskine; Peter Marquand


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah-Jayne Martin; Alice Eastwood; Olivia Banks; Ruth Day


Les références

‘In Birmingham the stand out partner is Lucy Erskine. She is extremely able and a joy to work with.’

‘The team at Capsticks are first rate.  The team are strategic and pragmatic when it comes to managing cases and are really on top of the law.’

‘Sarah-Jayne Martin is really impressive. She was completely on top of all the detail, and was on hand throughout to discuss both factual and legal issues, which were complex. We were successful in getting the case dismissed. ’

Principaux clients

NHS Resolution


Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust


Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust


Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust


North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust


Bolton NHS Foundation Trust


Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust


North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust


Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust


Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust


London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised NHS Resolution in connection with a claim based on alleged delay in diagnosing / treating cauda equina syndrome. The matter was discontinued by the claimant following the firm’s investigations which revealed that they had been fundamentally dishonest regarding the extent of the injuries.
  • Represented NHS Resolution and a trust at the inquest and in the claim concerning the suicide of a vulnerable 21 year old in prison. An article 2 inquest was held before a jury and a civil claim was issued against 4 defendants. Following the inquest the team obtained a discontinuance against its trust client.
  • Represented a trust in a claim made by a litigant in person concerning an alleged breach of the Equality Act 2010 and unlawful detention in failing to organise transport home when the patient wished to self-discharge against medical advice. The team was successful in striking out the claim.

Kennedys

The ‘very strategicChristopher Malla leads a ‘strong team of specialist lawyers which continues to deliver a very high quality service’. The group does a considerable amount of work for NHS Resolution, and also has a dedicated private healthcare offering. It is adept at managing a wide range of claims, including those cases of maximum severity. Avinder Sidhu is particularly skilled at handling cases where there are birth injuries, and neurosurgical complications. Katie Tonks is a key contact for claims involving consultants, physiotherapists, dentists, private hospitals, and remote radiology providers.

Responsables de la pratique:

Christopher Malla


Autres avocats clés:

Avinder Sidhu; Steven Sehmar; Katie Tonks


Les références

‘A small but busy team that has excellent industry experience. Kennedys has several offices which enables them to pool expertise and enhance the quality of their advice by sharing know-how and experience.’

‘Avinder Sidhu combines energy, passion and pragmatism to deliver excellent results for the client. She remains calm and focussed under intense pressure so is a good person to have with you in a “tight spot”.

‘Each of the individuals that comprise the team at Kennedys are impressive lawyers. They are pleasant to deal with, hardworking and always on top of their cases.’

Principaux clients

NHS Resolution


Secretary of State for Health and Social Care


West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust


Beazley


Allied World


CNA Hardy


MPLC