Personal Injury: Claimant and Clinical negligence: claimant

Alison Underhill, Partner, specialises in all areas of accident and injury and medical negligence advice and has over 29 years’ experience of working in this field.

Examples of this type of work include:

Clinical negligence

Claims for delays in diagnosing cancer – including a delay in referring a client with laryngeal cancer, resulting in their death; a case where there was a six-year delay in the diagnosis of a tumour in the leg, resulting in need for extensive surgery and chemotherapy (case ongoing – damages likely to be substantial). Failure to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture in A&E, leading to a delay in surgery to repair the tendon and ongoing restrictions as well as the development of a chronic pain condition (successfully recovered damages of over £200,000). Failure to provide adequate antenatal care, resulting in trauma and development of post-natal depression. Birth injury claim involving failure to identify and repair a third degree tear, leading to permanent continence problems (recovered damages of £65,000). Bowel perforation in surgery, leading to death (recovered damages of £50,000). Claims for negligence in knee and hip replacement surgery. Other surgical errors, including failure to remove all metalwork and for post operative complications, such as infection. Prescription errors. Negligent treatment from GPs – failure to diagnose/refer. Claims for inadequate care in nursing homes.

Personal Injury

Claims for multiple injuries arising out of road accidents – including a case settled for £1.6 million and an injury case settled for £825,000. Injuries from accidents at work – including claims for slipping and tripping – one of which went to Court of Appeal and established a point of law concerning an employer’s duty of care under statutory regulations. Claims for significant injuries to hands/loss of fingers arising out of failure to guard dangerous machinery; back injuries/hernias caused by heavy lifting at work; injuries from falls when working at height such as scaffolding and ladders; physical and psychological injuries resulting from assaults at work. RTA fatal accident claims. RTA claims for whiplash injuries to neck and back. Claims for injuries caused by attacks by dogs. Injuries resulting from trips and slips, causing fractures/facial injuries and often involving the elderly. CICA (Crime Injuries Compensation Association) claims. MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) claims.