Weightmans’ Newcastle and Leeds healthcare department is instructed by insurers and indemnifiers in several maximum severity claims in relation to medical malpractice. In Newcastle, Angela Kirtley advises claimants and defendants concerning complex personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Jasmine Armstrong manages the teams in Newcastle and Birmingham and covers a host of healthcare-specific issues, such as defendant clinical negligence claims concerning high-value birth injuries. Other key members of the Newcastle team are Robert Rushton, who manages significant and complex claims for NHS trusts, and Paul Hughes, who advises transport and logistics clients.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The Weightmans team are a real heavy-weight in the defendant clinical negligence market. All of the individuals there are impressive litigators. I am always amazed at how well they prepare cases. They really stand out for their quality of work.'
  • 'They are true experts in Defendant clinical negligence work with experience across the full spectrum of such cases.'
  • 'In my view there is a star individual in Newcastle in clinical negligence, namely Andreja Begus-Harrison. She is very experienced and has excellent judgment with perfectly measured confidence in how to conduct her cases. She is not just a star performer in Newcastle, but also in comparison to solicitors nationwide. Andreja is very well organised and communicates very effectively.'
  • 'Angela Kirtley is one of the best Defendant clinical negligence lawyers in the market. She combines a deep human understanding of the issues in her cases with a down to earth grasp of reality and commercial pragmatism.'
  • 'Weightmans are a formidable defendant firm, with heavy-hitting partners and associates.'
  • 'Weightmans are an excellent choice for Defendants in a crowded market place. They remain on top of new developments in order to ensure high quality service and great value for clients. They seem to have an uncanny ability to produce lawyers who are calm under pressure and skilled in making the complex look straightforward.'

Key clients

  • NHS Resolution
  • Newcastle upon Tyne NHS FT
  • County Durham and Darlington NHS FT
  • Gateshead Health NHS FT
  • Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS F
  • North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
  • University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS FT
  • University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS FT
  • Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Go Ahead Ltd
  • Go North East Ltd
  • Collingwood Insurance
  • Zurich

Work highlights

  • Advising on a claim involving a complicated vaginal delivery resulting in brain damage during birth.
  • Advising on claims arising from complicated medical issues investigated as to hypotension leading to brain and spinal strokes permanent neurological injury.
  • Acting in a claim where, following a low impact RTA with a bus, the claimant asserted severe injuries which were revealed to be exaggerated following surveillance.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Angela Kirtley, Jasmine Armstrong, Robert Rushton, Paul Hughes

Other key lawyers

Andreja Begus-Harrison