Lawyers

Rachelle Mahapatra

Rachelle Mahapatra

Irwin Mitchell, Yorkshire And The Humber

Work Department

Clinical Negligence

Position

I am a Partner in the Medical negligence team in Leeds and the Regional Managing Partner of the Leeds office.

I have specialised in medical negligence for most of my career since qualifying in 1993.

Over the years I have represented hundreds of people affected by Medical Accidents including babies who are injured during their delivery causing serious brain injuries, maternal injuries including placental abruption and maternal haemorrhage and stillbirths and Neonatal death. I also have experience of cases involving the negligent management of Neonatal emergencies including missed Hypoglycaemia, Sepsis and Encephalitis which all resulted in serious brain injuries.

In adults I have experience of surgical negligence caused during elective procedures, unnecessary amputation due to surgical error, spinal injuries caused by surgery or missed spinal Abscess resulting in permanent paralysis. I have experience of dealing with late diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

In 1993, I was appointed to represent the patients in a government ordered inquiry investigating the inappropriate conduct of Drs Kerr and Haslam, reporting in 2005. I subsequently settled the former patients damages claims.

Career

I trained at Hartley Wostenholme solicitors in West Yorkshire 1991 to 1993, Partner 1996-2001, Keeble Hawson Partner 2001-2002. I joined Irwin Mitchell as an associate solicitor in 2002 and was promoted to partner in 2007. I am a former trustee of the Dogs Trust (1997 to 2014) I am a member of the Yorkshire and Humber board of business in the community.

Memberships

Accidents against victims of Medical Accidents specialist panel member, Law Society Clinical Negligence panel member, Association of PI Lawyers (APIL) Fellow.

Education

Woodhouse Grove School, Bradford; East Anglia Polytechnic (LLB); York Law School (Law Society finals); Leeds Metropolitan University (diploma in personal injury litigation).

Leisure

Horse riding – in 2008 rode across Transylvania to raise funds for World Horse Welfare, keen follower of the arts.

Mentions