Clinical negligence: claimant

Shoosmiths LLP

The ‘stellar team’ at Shoosmiths LLP has ’great communicators, who are highly knowledgeable’. Under the leadership of Phil Barnes, the first-rate team has an excellent reputation for its skill at handling high-value and complex claims such as birth, spinal and brain injury cases, as well as amputations. Kashmir Uppal has particular expertise in dealing with claims against ‘rogue surgeons’. Nicholas Tubb has considerable strength in spinal and brain injuries, complicated birth injuries, as well as surgical errors. Natasha Read has a broad practice with substantial experience in a wide variety of neurological claims. Richard Bannister is another key contact who frequently works on cases involving fatal accidents, and other difficult issues such as delayed cancer diagnosis.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have dealt with Nick Tubb and his service has been nothing but exemplary. His knowledge and advice have been invaluable. His communication is fast, reliable and honest. His team work well under his instruction and I 100% trust and recommend his service.'
‘Sharon Banga - very skilled , incisive , pleasure to work alongside. Kashmir Uppal - intuitive , very skilled, great client relationships , pleasure to work alongside. Natasha Read - very personable , good communicator , very skilled , pleasure to work alongside.’
‘Phil Barnes, Nick Tubbs, James Wright and Natasha Read are standout shining lights in a highly impressive team. They can readily handle the most complex claims and issues. They are knowledgeable, articulate and empathetic. They work harder than any others lawyers in this field to deliver the best service feasible. ’
‘Kashmir Uppal has a very reassuring manner and coupled with her obvious knowledge, she has made a difficult process understandable and has given good / clear guidance. She has around her a team who are always polite and respectful towards us.'
‘Richard Bannister puts clients at eases, provides early and clear instructions to counsel and is skilled at achieving the right settlement as swiftly as possible.'
'Phil Barnes heads up this strong clinical negligence team, is incredibly personable and hard working. He is not afraid of taking a difficult legal point. Natasha Read's work is incredibly well organised, she works collaboratively with counsel and works hard for her clients to achieve the best possible results.’
‘Phil Barnes is an excellent lawyer and leads his team with finesse. Nicholas Tubb is very experienced serious injury lawyer who works hard to get the best outcome for his clients. Natasha Read is impressive.’
‘The team is one of the big players in Birmingham and the West Midlands. The team is led by Phil Barnes, who is one of the leading practitioners in the country.'

Work highlights

Represented the claimants in a landmark case in the Supreme Court addressing the vexed issue of whether a person who witnesses the death of or serious injury to a loved one as a result of an illness that proper medical treatment would have prevented can bring a claim as a secondary victim.
Acting for client who developed cerebral palsy as a consequence of the admitted negligence of the defendant hospital trust.
Acting in a complex, high value claim of a woman in her early 30s, without children, whose cervical smear test was negligently misinterpreted.