Clinical negligence: claimant

Stewarts Law LLP

Client Satisfaction

Stewarts Law LLP‘s clinical negligence practice fields an ’outstanding’ team, primarily active in complex, high-value disputes covering a spectrum of serious instances of medical negligence. This includes cognitive injuries, such as strokes, aneurysms and hypoxia, diabetic issues, rare and novel diseases, and in particular, major spinal injuries, including spinal cord infection and surgery cases. The practice is chaired by Anita Jewitt, who leads the team across the London and Leeds offices. Jewitt is constituted by experienced practitioners such as Robert Dransfield, a frequent litigator in spinal and cognitive injury cases, especially those dealing with cauda equina. Along with surgical errors, Hugh Johnson handles matters concerning injuries caused by negligence in mental health facilities. The ‘rigorous and talented’ Amy Heath frequently advises on matters regarding delayed diagnosis of serious conditions such as meningitis and sepsis, surgical and post-surgical injuries, as well as spinal infection claims. Nick Knowles is a key port of call for claims involving children and disabled parties. Alison Goldney and Alexandra Bennett are noted for their experience settling birth injury, and cognitive injury claims.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Stewarts London clinical negligence team is simply outstanding. Claims are thoroughly and extensively investigated, and the firm uses the best experts and counsel. In cases where admissions have not been made, the firm even has a pro bono department which offers complimentary case management to deserving clients.’
'Amy Heath is a rigorous and talented solicitor: very good at client handling, and excellent judgment.’
‘Rob Dransfield is a tough and experienced litigator. He does not shy away from running an argument, and pulls no punches to achieve the best results for his clients. He is particularly strong on spinal cord injury and high value brain injury work.
‘I provide expert medical opinions related to neurosurgical practice to Stewarts Law LLP. I have found them to be consistently professional and effective in all aspects of case management. I have been particularly impressed by their diligent and constructive approach to the review of reports.’
‘The team has an exceptionally thorough and personable approach, they know their clients and their needs well. The team maintains only a small client base per solicitor to maintain this focus and quality. They are very well connected with leading experts across spinal cord injury and health which enables them to hone in on the specifics when building a case.’
‘Stewarts has the best clinical negligence team I have worked with. All of its solicitors are knowledgeable, thorough, and really care about getting the best result for their clients.’
‘A really impressive team, who bring great experience and attention to detail to every case. Every case they take on matters to them and gets their A-game. A real class act.’
‘I would highly recommend Stewarts, they are simply excellent. They have left no stone unturned to achieve outstanding results for me and my family. The staff are highly knowledgeable and very caring towards the client.’

Key clients

BXD (anonymised claim) – child spinal injury
Rosemary Chapman v Mid and South Essex NHS Trust
CXE (anonymised claim) – child birth injury
FSH (anonymised claim) – brain injury following intracranial bleed
Delay in diagnosis of endocarditis causing stroke and brain injury
Delayed diagnosis of spinal cord compression
Diabetic induced stroke caused by failure to treat a dental abscess and sepsis.
NYX (anonymised claim) – brain injury following intracranial bleed
Delayed diagnosis of cervical spine tumour

Work highlights

Acted for Rosemary Chapman v Mid and South Essex NHS Trust – successful high court liability trial in a spinal injury case, beating a previous Part 36 liability offer.
Acted in a birth injury claim, reaching a settlement for a capitalised sum in the region of £18m.
Acted for a man who suffered a brain injury following the mismanagement of an aneurysm, achieving a settlement for a capitalised sum of around £7m.

Lawyers

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Muiris Lyons

Hall of fameStewarts Law LLP

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