Clinical negligence: claimant

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell‘s clinical negligence practice is highlighted for its ’extraordinary strength and depth’ across a wide range of disputes, fielding expertise in maternal, cognitive and spinal injury litigation, along with novel complications resulting in organ necrosis, cardiac issues, and sepsis, along with cerebral palsy and other cognitive injuries acquired at birth. The ‘exceptional’ practice head Auriana Griffiths has more than 25 years of experience in clinical negligence matters, with a particular focus on catastrophic birth and maternal injuries, including cerebral palsy resulting from asphyxia and substandard midwifery, and is additionally experienced in obtaining extensive therapy and rehabilitation services for claimants. Richard Kayser is regarded as ’a great judge of litigation’, especially in high-value cases requiring expertise in birth, cognitive and sensual impairment injuries affecting children and adults. Leena Savjani is highly active in the team’s various adult brain injury and neurosurgical litigation, while Anne Kavanagh is noted for her expertise in maternity matters. Other key figures include Lauren Hurney, a highly active litigator in the team’s spinal cord and adult brain injury cases. Ian Christian, Anita Jewitt and Shivi Nathan have left the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Irwin Mitchell practice distinguishes itself through expertise, innovation, and a client-centric approach.'
‘Anne Kavanagh is outstanding in her knowledge of her work and efficiency in carrying it out. She is approachable, available, understanding and kind.’
‘Irwin Mitchell are a particularly strong all round team with enormous experience and expertise very sensitive with clients and take on enormously difficult cases in which they achieve excellent results. They are all truly fearless and committed and have very good backup from other departments too.’
‘The London clinical negligence team at Irwin Mitchell has extraordinary strength and depth and handles claims of all value, from the relatively modest to the very highest. They are extremely well run with experienced partners supervising more junior members of the team.’
‘A first-class team. The leader nationally in this field. Deservedly so.'
‘Richard Kayser. Highly intelligent and experienced. Practical, sensible and sympathetic. A great judge of litigation.'
‘Massive team with strength and depth.’
‘Auriana Griffiths - she's exceptional - one of the very best, brilliant litigator.’

Key clients

CDJ - v- West Herefordshire Hospitals NHS Trust or CW
SA v Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Trust
Anon –v- NHS Trust
Anon –v- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
JXR –v- Barts Health NHS Trust
LM –v- Barts Health NHS Trust
Glassey v Abbas
GXR a child by his mother and litigation friend DXR v Chelsea & Westminster Hospitals NHS Trust
Anon v Barts Health NHS Trust

Work highlights

Acted in claim which involved the failure to undertake suitable investigations within A&E which would have led to the Claimant’s admission and diagnosis of meningitis.
Acted in a claim which involves 4 year old child who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of an hypoxic brain injury at birth.
Acted in a birth injury claim on behalf of GXR, who was born at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital following a normal pregnancy.

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