Stephanie Atkinson

Catastrophic Injury

Stephanie is a partner and handles both liability and quantum catastrophic injury work dealing with a range of acquired brain injury, spinal injury, amputee, fatality and cerebral palsy claims in a range of RTA, employers’ liability, public liability and clinical negligence scenarios.

She has a special interest in complex medical causation issues such as pre and post-natal injuries resulting in cerebral palsy. Current clients include some of the UK’s leading insurers. 

Noteable cases include: 

AR & others v H (2021) –Ongoing claims regarding carbon monoxide poisoning of guests in a London hotel in 2018. One fatality claim and a TBI claim. Liability & causation issues regarding the location of the boiler and flue, servicing responsibilities and the functioning of the boiler itself.

FC & others v K (2019) - The claim from multiple parties resulted from a significant motorway accident involving a family with two young children.  There were multiple reinsurers involved from across Europe. The crossover of injuries for the whole family made these claims more complex; one parent with a subtle brain injury and the other significant orthopaedic injuries; a 7 year old with a severe TBI and a younger child with psychological issues.  Also dealing with three fatalities and a psychological injury claim involving French nationals from another vehicle involved in the same accident.  The pleaded child TBI claim was in excess of £20million and settled at JSM in 2019.  In both the parents’ claims settlement was reached at a JSM before the CCMC stage through the cooperative relationship between BLM and the claimant’s solicitor, avoiding the need for counsel at the JSM. 

ABC (2016) - the claimant was delivered prematurely following an RTA in which the mother was injured. Following premature birth, the hospital failed to recognise and treat kernicterus, resulting in cerebral palsy. The case involved complex quantum arguments as well as a Part 20 clinical negligence claim against the NHS in relation to causation apportionment. The claim was settled at a JSM and the Part 20 claim was resolved with the NHS accepting an offer out of time for 75% liability. Stephanie was also involved in drafting the PPO.

King Edward VI School, Southampton; University of Kent, LLB Hons 2:1; College of Law, Bloomsbury, Legal Practice Course (Distinction)