Specialist Clinical Negligence & Personal Injury Department

We have a specialist Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Department to help you obtain compensation if you have been injured or have become ill and where this is the fault of someone else. Our solicitors have considerable experience and have successfully assisted people in a wide variety of claims.

All members of our team are also members of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, which means that they have been recognised by the Law Society as experts in this field, as well as being members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

What are Personal Injury claims?

These types of claims may be for injury or illness where somebody else is at fault and can arise in a whole host of different circumstances, for example:

• Accidents at work
• Road Traffic Accidents
• Slipping or tripping accidents, for example, in a public place such as the street or a supermarket
• Fatal Accidents
• Occupational diseases or work-related injuries, such as Repetitive Strain Injuries or Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder
• Criminal Injuries

What are Clinical Negligence claims?

These arise when a person has been the victim of negligence on the part of a member of the medical profession. This might include doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses, midwives, opticians or other healthcare workers.

We shall assist you in trying to achieve a successful outcome and also in dealing with the distress of being let down by the medical profession. Clinical and medical negligence claims can arise in many situations, for example:

• Surgery
• Birth injuries
• Errors in diagnosis
• Cosmetic surgery
• Prescribing of drugs
• Hospital infections, e.g. MRSA
• Consent to treatment
• Dental negligence

We offer a free, initial, no-obligation meeting to discuss your particular circumstances and advise you on the best course of action. We will also advise you in relation to the costs of pursuing a claim and the various funding options, including 'No win/No fee' arrangements.

What can I claim?

You should be compensated for your pain, suffering and discomfort, as well as for any temporary or permanent disability. If you have lost any pay or find that your ability to do your job has been affected or if you have incurred travel, medical or other expenses, then you should be compensated.

Is it worth claiming?

Even a relatively minor injury may be worth several hundred pounds in compensation and many claims may be worth considerably more. You won't know until you ask and so please let us advise you.

What if I am to blame?

If you are entirely to blame, then you will probably not be able to make a claim. However, you may be able to claim if you were only partly responsible for the accident or injury.

Will I have to go to court?

The vast majority of cases are settled without the need to go to court. If, however, that does prove to be necessary, we have considerable experience in that area and will support you all the way.

What can I do to help myself?

It will assist us with your claim if you keep a record of all expenses incurred by you as a result of the accident or negligence and if you keep any relevant receipts or invoices. If your wages are affected, then please keep all your payslips.

It would also be useful if you kept a diary recording any visits to doctors, hospital, dentists, physiotherapy, etc. and a record of your symptoms.

What will it cost?

'We believe that many people are afraid of approaching a solicitor because they are worried about the cost. As we have already said, the initial interview will cost you nothing and we will advise you as to the various arrangements available, including 'No win/No fee' agreements.

What should I do next?

For further information about our personal injury and/or clinical negligence work, please contact either Michael Hartley or Victoria Wilkinson by telephone (01273 324041), e-mail or by completing our online enquiry form.