Clinical negligence: defendant

Weightmans LLP

Working out of the Liverpool office, Weightmans LLP routinely acts in public inquiries and large-scale group actions. Regularly acting for private healthcare providers and NHS trusts, co-head Richard Jolly has extensive knowledge of birth injury cases, while Vicky Morris routinely advises clients on patient safety incidents and group actions. Ian Critchley is noted for his longstanding experience in spinal injury and delayed diagnosis cases. In Manchester, Lisa Spencer is particularly adept at handling claims concerning foetal exposure to sodium valproate, and Chris Dexter is an expert in claims brought by clients under the NHS Resolution General Practice indemnity schemes and dental negligence cases. Samuel Harland is an expert in blood borne infections and chemical exposure, often engaging in alternative dispute resolution methods.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Excellent commitment and skills. Great to work with and always available when needed.'
'Vicky Morris is excellent; incredibly well committed. Gives everything to the job and provides a stellar service.'
'Senior partners are excellent. Top quality representation in complex cases.'
'Very friendly and approachable. Open to challenge and willing to change direction. Flexible and versatile.'
'Chris Dexter - Chris is approachable and friendly, and immediately puts clients at ease. He is all over the issues and will tear though the noise to really get to the root of the issues quickly. He really cares about his cases and puts in the time to get a fair and pragmatic solution.'
'Richard Jolly is a star individual. He is a real pleasure to work for and with. One of Richard's best qualities is that he is incredibly calm under pressure.'
'Chloe Parker is a really excellent solicitor as well as a pleasure to work with. She is always on top of her cases and understands and appreciates the finer and more nuanced points of clinical negligence litigation. She now handles very high value and complex litigation and takes it in her stride. She is one to watch in the future.'
'Ian Critchley is a very experienced litigator. I have been impressed by his strategic and tactical skills and overall command of his cases. He achieves excellent results for his clients through his clear sighted identification of the key issues and his success in patiently, but firmly negotiating a good outcome.'

Key clients

NHS Resolution
IDH
Markel
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
NHS Blood & Transplant
Wirral Community NHS FT

Work highlights

Advising NHS Resolution, NHS Blood and Transplant, the Department of Health and various NHS Trusts in relation to several proposed group actions being brought by and on behalf of people infected with viruses, including HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B through the use of blood and blood products.
Instructed by NHS Resolution to advise NHS Trusts in relation to claims involving foetal exposure to sodium valproate.
Instructed by the St Helena Government to set up and run a compensation scheme for any patients who suffered avoidable harm during treatment by a doctor employed on the British Overseas Territory.