Medical negligence solicitors in Manchester

Where is the Manchester office?

Why choose us as your medical negligence solicitors in Manchester?

Our medical negligence solicitors have been top-ranked by both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 independent legal guides for this area of the law. We are the only top-ranked firm in both directories for medical negligence and are one of the largest practices in the UK. Our lawyers are highly experienced and can provide a wide range of professional services.

Medical negligence claims can be difficult to prove, so it is vital to have understanding and dedicated solicitors on your side to assist you through the process. They will try to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled to.

• Hugh James is one of the leading injury compensation claim firms for medical negligence in England and Wales.
• Per annum, we recover over £30 million in medical negligence compensation for our clients.
• We have offices in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Plymouth and Southampton and can represent clients without the need for lengthy face-to-face meetings.
• We have a range of qualified staff, including a former midwife, qualified nurse executives, welfare benefits advisors, medical records officers and qualified social workers to ensure your case has the best possible chance of success.
• We can advise you on all aspects of your medical negligence claim, which includes social services involvement, financial advice and rehabilitation.
• We are accredited by medical negligence charity Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) and regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA).
• Find out about our firm or check out our Trustpilot reviews for further peace of mind.

£23 million in compensation for child who suffered injury at birth

Isabel*, who was aged 12 at settlement, suffered a chronic partial hypoxic ischaemic brain injury in utero approximately one week before delivery in 2011 due to negligent antenatal midwifery care. The community midwives failed to identify reduced fetal growth due to placental insufficiency which should have led to referral for induction of labour before the brain injury occurred. Due to her birth injury, Isabel has hypotonic cerebral palsy and epilepsy as a result of the negligence.

Previous solicitors had focused on the events at the time of delivery and the family was advised that the prospects of success were poor, after which they instructed Potter Rees Dolan Solicitors (now Hugh James) in 2017.

An 85% liability settlement was approved in April 2021 and quantum was then investigated.  We were successful in negotiating a global compensation award of £23 million in October 2023, which includes a retained lump sum of £8 million and increasing periodical payments throughout her lifetime as her care needs increase. The Quantum settlement was approved by The Honourable Mr Justice Ritchie on 31 October 2023.

The settlement includes the cost of Isabel’s increasing care needs with age, waking night care, case management, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, assistive technology, wheelchair accessible transport, equipment including wheelchairs, home schooling, accommodation, holidays and professional deputy costs.

Gill Edwards, Partner in the clinical negligence team at Hugh James who acted for Isabel with Chris Melton KC of Counsel, said:

“When Isabel’s family transferred her case to us, we focused our investigation on the care of her mother in the antenatal period, which was when the injury occurred. There were three Defendant Trusts responsible for the various community midwives. Medical evidence was obtained from experts in midwifery, obstetrics, neonatology, neuroradiology and paediatric neurology to establish liability. Isabel and her family have struggled for many years and the compensation, some of which was paid by way of interim payments during the case, has already made an enormous difference to their lives.”

* The names and identifying details of the client have been removed to protect the privacy of individuals involved.