My team and I act for patients who have brought a medical negligence case as a result of catastrophic injury, suffered as a result of improper care. The people who have experienced these kinds of injuries are looking for accountability and answers in a really difficult time.
It’s never easy taking that first step in the legal process. Picking up the phone and reaching out can be a daunting process because you never know what will be on the other side. At Jackson Lees, our team understands this. We are always here to guide you through the process, cutting out the unnecessary jargon and making sure you know where you stand at every step.
Get in touch for expert advice
Here’s just a snippet of how we’ve made a positive difference to our clients this year.
Brain injury at birth
In May of last year, I took a long-running case to trial involving a child who, it was alleged, had been left badly brain-damaged as a result of a breach of duty during the first hours of life in a regional hospital. The Defendant Trust had denied liability for more than 6 years. A few days before an agreed mediation meeting, they confirmed that they did not wish to engage in settlement discussions.
The trial was due to last for a number of days and hear evidence from more than 10 witnesses.
After the first day, we had finished the evidence of the Claimant’s mum, and had got part-way through the Defendant’s first witness. Just 15 minutes before the start of the trial on the second day, we received an offer of settlement. By lunchtime that day we had settled the case for 60% more than the opening offer. This result ensures that the Claimant will always receive the tailored care they now need.
Irreversible injuries due to delayed diagnosis
On another recent case involving a man who, we alleged, had suffered life-changing injuries as a result of a delay in diagnosis of a stroke, we were due to attend a trial shortly before Christmas. The trial aimed to resolve the issue of whether the Defendant had been negligent or not, with damages to be determined at a later date. Around 3 weeks before the start of the trial, we agreed a deal that the Defendant would accept 95% of the full value of the case. A great result, but it is notable that we had first offered those terms 10 months previously and they had been rejected.
Spinal cord injury
Not all of the cases we support follow this pattern. By contrast, for example, on a recent spinal cord injury case of mine where a patient had become paraplegic because of an admitted delay in diagnosing and treating an infected disc, we were able to engage with the Defendant at an early stage. The benefit of this made a positive difference to the person affected: the Defendant agreed to a substantial interim payment of damages while the case was still live, so that my client had enough money to be able to purchase a single-level property to be adapted for her needs, without having to wait for the case to be finalised. I was delighted to hear recently that she has had an offer accepted on a bungalow!
From those examples of my recent experience, I’d offer the opinion it is vitally important that appropriate cases are admitted at an early stage, so that those affected can start to rebuild their lives and also so that the legal costs of remedying medical negligence can be kept as low as possible.
If you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of medical negligence, we urge you to seek expert advice as early as possible. Our friendly, compassionate Medical Negligence specialists are here for you. Reach them on 0151 282 1700, or make an enquiry today.