Call (0115) 931 51 71 to talk to us about your situation

Nottingham Maternity Services “Inadequate”

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The Care Quality Commission have downgraded Nottingham Maternity Services to “inadequate” following an unannounced inspection at the Queens Medical Centre and Nottingham City Hospital.  The inspection concluded that some staff  “did not always understand how to keep women and babies safe“.  Many of the problems arose due to staffing shortages or lack of training.  The Hospital Trust have subsequently confirmed that they are recruiting extra midwives.

Our Clinical negligence lawyers were sadly not surprised to read these findings.  We deal with many cases involving mothers and babies suffering serious injuries or losing their lives following failings in maternity care in our local hospitals.  This is devastating not just for the families but also for the staff involved.

There is a national “Early Notification Scheme” in place which requires hospitals to notify families if there has been a serious incident involving a birth injury. We will be reporting on this scheme in our future news and explain why some children with cerebral palsy and other serious conditions might be entitled to compensation. In the meantime, please urge the Government to properly fund healthcare to safeguard mothers and their babies.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-55147561

If you need advice about birth injuries or trauma please get in touch with us. You can call us on (0115) 931 51 71 or send us an email.

Living With Spinal Cord Injury

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We have represented clients, paralysed by spinal cord injury (SCI), for over 30 years. These claims might involve arguments about liability, for example:

  • Was the Accident & Emergency Department negligent by sending away a patient with cauda equina syndrome?
  • Was the car driver partly liable for the accident by driving too fast?
  • Was the young man attacked in the street at fault for starting the fight, preventing him from recovering criminal injury compensation?

However, what is not in dispute is the severity and impact of SCI, both on the individual and their families. Part of our job is to gather evidence to prove how much it will cost to provide for a client during their lifetime. Sometimes these cases go to Court for a judge to decide how much compensation should be awarded. Evidence is set out in paper reports from many experts as well as statements from the client and their family. They can also give oral evidence at trial but it can never truly paint the full picture of living with SCI. This includes the mental health of clients as they come to terms with their new way of life.

How can you possibly understand such a life changing event which you have not personally experienced?  That is why we encourage you to view the very open and honest account of life after SCI in the recent BBC documentary, Being Frank; The Frank Gardner Story.

This programme shows just how much a person’s daily life is affected by paralysis in very frank terms (excuse the pun!). Many will recall that Frank Gardner was the BBC correspondent injured in an attack which killed his cameraman and which he nearly did not survive. It is inspirational but also down to earth.

In the programme, other SCI survivors detail the emotional impact on themselves and their partners. One of the images that stuck with us was Frank Gardner’s attempts to get to the studio in time for a live broadcast. Getting from A to B is a simple task for most of us but turned into such a dramatic moment as we worried “will he make it?”. For anyone using a lift, this programme should make you think twice!

Not all SCI patients have the chance to continue adventures abroad in quite the same way as Frank Gardner, and few would want to be carried into the jungle, but the positive approach to a such a serious injury is a lesson for us all. It also reflects the importance of allowing everyone with SCI to be as independent as possible. We are glad that maximising compensation for our injured clients has enabled them to do this; an example is a former doctor, whose story will be on our website soon  and who is equally inspirational.

 

Missed Chances To Save Diabetic Patient

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Julie Hardy, a clinical negligence specialist, was contacted by the family of Marie Henson. Marie was only 53 years old when she died from diabetic complications which were missed in the Newark Urgent Care Centre. Her family spoke of their loss and told local newspapers that their “wonderful mother should still be here”. It is tragic that so many chances to save Marie were missed and the family remain devastated by their loss. Type 1 Diabetes is a common condition and complications are usually easily diagnosed and are treatable but Marie was badly let down by health professionals.

The findings of the Coroner have just concluded, following an inquest looking into Marie’s care by Nottinghamshire Assistant Coroner, Dr Elizabeth Didcock. The family attended throughout the inquest and listened to the catalogue of errors when Marie could have been saved. Neglect was determined to be the cause of Marie’s death in 2019. Julie was able to support the family with the inquest as well as recovering compensation for Marie’s family.

Unusually, the Coroner also made recommendations to identify whether one of the treating doctors, Dr Palissery, was competent to work. He missed obvious signs of Marie’s deterioration, leading to diabetic keratosis and cardiac arrest. We hope that doctors learn from mistakes but the Coroner noted that Dr Palissery had not learned sufficiently from this tragedy.

The lack of involvement with specialists at King Mills Hospital and the need for them to train doctors at Newark Urgent Care Centre were highlighted at the Inquest. This is now under review.

Marie leaves behind her husband Kevin, 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren, who spoke movingly of their loss in the Newark Advertiser. Here is the article printed today

Marie Henson newspaper reports for website story

Best Clinical Negligence Lawyers in Nottinghamshire

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This was the independent finding of Chambers and Partners, which ranks firms all the over the world to identify the leading lawyers in specialist areas of law. This reduces the risk of placing your claim with an inexperienced solicitor and ensures you can rely on thousands of interviews carried out by Chambers to assess law firms.

One interviewee stated “This is the leading firm for clinical negligence in Nottingham.”. We are thrilled with this recommendation.

We are extremely proud that our clinical negligence department is the only law firm to be ranked top in Nottingham and surrounds. Chambers reports that we are a “Standout niche firm specialising solely in personal injury and clinical negligence matters. Dedicated team of senior practitioners offering advice to clients on diverse and complicated cases, including delayed diagnoses, negligent surgery, birth injuries and fatal claims. Regularly advises on mental health issues.

Particular praise goes to 2 of our senior lawyers:

Julie Hardy who was described as   “confident, expertly knowledgeable and very thorough.”

Emma Zukowska was “really impressive at handling the most complex and high-value claims.”

Our work covers all areas of medical negligence and inquests. Head of Department, Alison Brooks, believes our success lies in the niche team of 3 experienced solicitors ; they have the skills to give advice based on a combined knowledge of over 70 years acting in clinical negligence claims.

We continue to be the only firm we know of which has always been ranked in the top tier for our clinical negligence and personal injury work.

https://chambers.com/guide/uk?publicationTypeId=1&practiceAreaId=140&subsectionTypeId=1&locationId=16355

 

East Midlands Top Tier for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence

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We are delighted to share the news that Barratts are again in the Legal 500 top ranking for our personal injury and clinical negligence work. For those who do not know about Legal 500, it carries out research with clients, experts, counsel and other professionals outside our firm to find out who are the best solicitors for personal injury and clinical negligence.

We think we are the only firm to be named in the top tier for injury litigation every year since we began. Barratts would like to thank all our hard working staff who have continued to do their very best for clients during this difficult year. Our teamwork has really helped but we do miss working together in person.

We also would like to thank our amazing  clients for speaking so highly about our services. We aim to continue in the top tier year on year by relying on our small, unique team of experienced lawyers to guide clients through their injury claims with empathy, practical advice and the minimum stress.

If you think you may have been injured at work, on the roads or through no fault of your own then please contact our personal injury solicitors for more advice. We also offer expert support for medical claims and can help review your medical records to see if there has been any clinical negligence that is worth investigating. We can help if you need representation at an Inquest. If you are the victim of a criminal attack, our criminal compensation team also help those injured after being assaulted. Our specialist lawyers are happy to talk with you to advise if your claim is worth pursuing.

If you want to know more about our reputation, look no further than the latest recommendation by Legal 500 for our firm.

https://www.legal500.com/firms/235-barratts-solicitors/2510-nottingham-england/#section-111969

Bereavement Damages Increased

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We often act for families in fatal claims. It can be very shocking for them when we explain how little compensation is awarded for the loss of their loved one. Until recently we also had to tell partners living together that no compensation was payable for pain and suffering. We are pleased this has now changed.

The reason for low bereavement damages in the UK is because the Government argues they are only a token sum for a limited group of claimants. However, we can announce that the amount of compensation has recently increased in line with inflation. The award for pain and suffering is now £15,120, starting from 1st May 2020. The call for higher damages and for more people to be entitled to claim has been rejected by the Government.

The Commons Human Rights Committee, chaired by Labour’s Harriet Harman, said further examples of discrimination remain. We hope there will be more changes in the longer term. We meet families with many different relationships and situations and support the need to reflect this in the awards of damages that are recovered.

For more details you can read the full article in the Law Gazette.

 

 

 

 

All Barratts’ Partners Recognised For Personal Injury And Clinical Negligence Work

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Chambers is a highly reputable independent legal guide which ranks firms all over the world. In Nottinghamshire we are proud to be named as one of only 2 firms recognised for Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence claims. Barratts only has senior expert lawyers to handle this extremely complex area of law which means clients have a dedicated, specialist lawyer to advise throughout their compensation claim . This is vital for clients facing one of the most traumatic times of their lives coping with brain injury, spinal injury, cerebral palsy and fatalities.

Our partners have again all been individually recognised for their expertise which is an amazing achievement. Here is what Chambers reported:

Personal Injury Department

Sources praise department head Ed Myers for delivering an “excellent service.” He is an experienced practitioner in brain and spinal injury claims, as well as representing clients in CICA cases.

David Tomlinson is recognised as “a go-to person for top-value claims.” He is noted for acting in highly complex claims involving catastrophic injuries resulting from RTAs.

Clinical Negligence Department

Alison Brooks has experience in medical negligence inquests and cerebral palsy cases. Sources are impressed by her “good technical knowledge and experience, clear instructions and focused follow-up.”

Julie Hardy is “outstandingly personable, an extremely good communicator, very tenacious and a delightful person all round,” according to interviewees. Hardy demonstrates expertise in fatal incidents relating to mental health and negligent care cases, as well as high-value birth injury and surgical negligence matters. She is valued by clients for being “passionate about reaching the right outcome,” with one source adding: “She made it very easy to get through the case and had my best interests at heart at all times.”

The “immensely supportive, calm, organised and informative” Emma Zukowska demonstrates expertise in complex birth injury and surgical error cases. Interviewees also note: “She has very good medical and legal knowledge, as well as good judgement.”

Thank you!

Thanks go to all our hardworking staff who make it possible for us to support our clients coping with traumatic injuries. We also recognise the extraordinary clients we have met over many decades who not only cope with adversity but manage to overcome appalling circumstances. Compensation does help to rebuild lives by putting therapy, care and treatment in place. We are a small piece of that puzzle but making a real difference is what keeps our lawyers fighting for injured clients.