Personal injury and clinical negligence: claimant

John has been representing clients who have suffered serious injuries, particularly those who have suffered life-changing neurological conditions, for over 30 years, and has considerable experience in the field of complex personal injury litigation. Clients are at the centre of what he does. He is fully committed to getting to know his clients and their needs and to obtaining funding at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that they are able to receive the rehabilitation required to meet their life-long needs and to reach their best possible outcome and quality of life. During his career he has acted for hundreds of clients and helped to achieve awards of damages totalling over £200 million. In addition, John has also worked with a number of charities which support individuals who have sustained serious neurological injuries and in 2012 he was recognised for this work by being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Clients are at the centre of what he does. He is fully committed to getting to know his clients and their needs and to obtaining funding at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that they are able to receive the rehabilitation required to meet their life-long needs and to reach their best possible outcome and quality of life. During his career he has acted for hundreds of clients and helped to achieve awards of damages totalling over £200 million. In addition, John has also worked with a number of charities which support individuals who have sustained serious neurological injuries and in 2012 he was recognised for this work by being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Lead Partner

Partner

Member, Principal Medical Negligence Lawyer  

Laura is a Partner in the Serious Injury department at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office. She works with children and adults who have sustained life changing brain, spinal cord and amputation injuries. Since 2016 (and 3 years PQE) she has been responsible for the management of her own complex cases valued at over £500,000 and regularly handles multi million pound cases. In the past 3 years, she has secured £38.264 million in compensation for her clients with settlements ranging between £1.5 million and £21.5 million gross. She is totally committed to her clients, particularly the use of Special Measures in personal injury cases to support vulnerable Claimants through the Court process. She is a strong advocate of the Serious Injury Guide and works collaboratively with Defendant Insurers and Solicitors where possible to obtain early interim payments and meet rehabilitation needs before hospital discharge. Laura also founded NE Amputee, a support group for amputees and their families in the North East, after noting a lack of provision in the local area for her clients. Laura is an APIL Accredited Senior Litigator and Brain Injury Specialist as well as the Early Careers Regional Representative for the Newcastle office, supporting aspiring lawyers from all backgrounds with their legal careers. Laura was nominated as Insurance Rising Star of the Year in the Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2023. Recent client feedback: "I cannot fault the service me and my family have received from Irwin Mitchell. I felt My solicitor Laura Mcilduff went above and beyond my expectations and became more than a solicitor but someone I could rely on. Laura took a great deal of time explaining everything to me throughout, to ensure I understood and could make informed choices. Overall, the key point for my experience was the personal touch I felt I received, that was so important. The amazing support she provided, down to the informal friendly chats that were needed of reassurance, understanding and patience was priceless and something I will always be grateful for." Another recent 5* TrustPilot review: “I couldn’t have got through the last 5 years without the team I was provided with by Irwin Mitchell, following a RTA in 2018. It has been a long lengthy process & still ongoing in some respects but the team always made me feel at ease took control of everything that was over whelming to be, easily staying in contact through phone calls and emails. I couldn’t recommend them more for a personal injury claim, my main point of contact was Laura Mcilduff who I could not fault at all she is the best of the best and has met every need I have endured along with Tom Dias who I have pestered at points along the way, but nothing was a bother. It can be very daunting in the beginning but these guys helped not only me but my family members too, and we powered on through, it was a pleasure to have them on my side, also using other departments now as things progress and have to mention the names, John Riley Dibb, Lara Tucker & Connie Smith for their continued support. They are an absolute credit to Irwin Mitchell and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”

Solicitor