Clinical negligence - claimant
Oct 1 2010 The Journal
Hay & Kilner, Newcastle
Irwin Mitchell LLP, Newcastle
Samuel Phillips Law Firm, Newcastle
Armstrong Foulkes, Middlesbrough
Ben Hoare Bell LLP, Sunderland
Browell Smith & Co, Newcastle
Burnetts, Carlisle, Newcastle
Freemans, Newcastle
McKeag & Co, Newcastle
Simpson Millar, Gateshead
Thompsons, Newcastle
Hay & Kilner’s “efficient, knowledgeable and conscientious” clinical negligence practice settled a substantial number of cerebral palsy claims with a combined value of £20m over the course of 2009, and was retained on the Spinal Injury Panel. “Experienced” partner David Bradshaw and the “methodical, bright” Clare Thompson are both recommended.
Irwin Mitchell LLP’s “polished” Newcastle offering is highly- sought- after in high-value birth trauma and catastrophic brain and spinal injury cases, with the firm’s ability to call on “a fantastic resource of talent and experience” a particular draw. Angela Kirtley handles neurological injury, cerebral palsy and general and orthopaedic surgery claims, while Jennifer Cawthorne “is especially good in handling particularly sensitive clients”.
Samuel Phillips Law Firm has more than 30 years’ experience handling medical negligence claims, as well as being notable for holding one of the few legal aid franchises in the UK. Barry Speker and Helen Routledge are recommended.
Niche claimant-only clinical negligence firm Armstrong Foulkes draws praise for its “consistent, thorough and professional” approach to claims against NHS trusts and individual GPs. Hilton Armstrong and Peter Foulkes are recommended.
Ben Hoare Bell LLP’s five-fee-earner team is led by Simon Garlick and handles cerebral palsy, orthopaedic and GP negligence claims.
Browell Smith & Co has been consolidating its position in the clinical negligence market since its relatively recent arrival on the scene. Dr Nicholas Wilkes and his team achieved a substantial settlement for a client who had 40% of his small intestine removed due to hospital staff’s failure to recognise it was twisted.
2009 saw Burnetts open up a satellite office in Newcastle headed by former Irwin Mitchell LLP partner Angela Curran, supplementing Carlisle-based Vicki Jagger’s expertise in birth trauma and neo-natal injury or death.
Helen Thompson is the name to note at Freemans, which handles high-value birth injury cases.
McKeag & Co’s Patrick Rafferty handles severe birth trauma and brain damage cases.
A recent entry to the North East market, Simpson Millar made three new appointments in 2009 and continued to increase its profile in high-profile birth injury and cerebral palsy claims. Neil Fearn heads the team.
At Thompsons, Newcastle-based Janet Allen took the reins of the national practice in 2009, with the regional practice advising on a number of landmark cerebral palsy cases.
