Which law firm?

Deciding which law firm to use can be a daunting task at the best of times. We believe it is important that you choose the right one for you based on the accident or injury you have suffered and also the way in which your case will be handled.

These questions and answers are designed to help you make the correct decision. Please let us know if there is anything that we have not covered or if you would like more information about our experience, expertise or the claims process.

Choosing the right law firm will help you to make a successful stress free claim in the shortest time possible.

Q. There are several law firms which say they can help me. Why should I choose you?

A. We have been at the forefront of UK medical negligence law since it emerged as a legal specialism during the 1980’s. The UK’s leading legal commentators Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and The Legal 500 continue to rate us as one of the leading firms in the country for claimant medical negligence. Over the last 20 years the group has developed an international reputation for birth and brain injury work.

Partners Susan Brown and Richard Money-Kyrle have over 45 years combined experience of handling complex and high value medical negligence cases – in particular cerebral palsy and birth injury cases. In recent years the Medical Negligence group has recovered well over £100 million in compensation. Our legal aid franchise enables us to represent children with no financial cost to them.

Members of our team are all medical negligence specialists and handle only medical negligence cases. Many of our competitors have chosen to have generalist claims teams that mix medical negligence work with personal injury (road traffic accidents, slips, trips and falls, animal attacks or sporting injuries etc) and industrial disease claims (mesothelioma, vibration white finger, etc industrial deafness etc.) work. We have other specialist teams that handle these cases.

Importantly, all of our lawyers are highly professional and supremely effective in securing the best outcome for clients in the minimum time.

Q. I am thinking of using a claims company. Is the process faster? Would I get more compensation?

A. Many people believe that claims companies have brought the process of bringing a valid compensation claim into disrepute.

Anyone with a TV or radio will have seen claims companies adverts promising extremely large compensation payouts. In truth, these organisations are often in effect marketing middle men who sell your case onto a law firm as part of a bundle of cases. Many of these law firms are often generalists and do not have specific medical negligence expertise. This means that there is no guarantee that your case will be handled by an appropriately experienced lawyer with the result that your claim will be slower to progress, less likely to succeed and ultimately provide less compensation. 

Q. I am having a really tough time, and sometimes it all feels too much. It puts me off making a claim.

A. The physical, emotional and financial distress which an injury causes to both you and those who are close to you is often significant. We provide the very best in terms of support and guidance at this difficult time and have an established network of contacts who are able to help with pain management, rehabilitation, meeting special needs and financial assistance.

It can be tempting to put off making a cerebral palsy claim to the future when you have more time - this should be avoided. It is important that claims are investigated as quickly as possible. This will ensure that the case does not become time barred.

Once we are instructed, we will investigate your case to confirm its validity with minimal disruption to you and without any cost to you whatsoever. 

Q. What does No Win, No Fee really mean? Will money still be taken from my compensation?

A. We work on a fully ethical No Win, No Fee, No Deductions basis. Our costs are paid in full by the practice or organisation being claimed against.

This means that the cerebral palsy compensation you are awarded is the money that you will receive. Unlike many other law firms we do not require an ‘up front’ payment from you or for you to take out expensive insurance policies.

Where we take on your case you will not be required or asked to make any financial contribution whatsoever. This is often not the case with many law firms or claims companies which will regularly deduct fees from compensation or look for up front payments one way or another.

Q. If I choose to go with you will I have to speak to lots of different people?

A. No. Having to repeatedly tell your story to different people is not only time consuming, but can also be very frustrating and upsetting. We understand this and try to ensure that whoever deals with your case does so from start to finish. That means you can rest assured that you will not find yourself having to repeatedly re-tell your story or get to know new names and faces.

Q. What if I need medical treatment and there is a long waiting list?

A. This is not a problem. Where your cerebral palsy case is successful we can arrange for immediate treatment where it cannot be provided to the standard required or soon enough by the NHS. The cost of this will be covered by interim payments received from the negligent practice or organisation and can be claimed back as part of the settlement.

Q. What proof do I have that you are as good as you say you are?

A. No one has been around longer in the field than us. No law firm has a better reputation for medical negligence. 

Our clients have over the years had a few things to say about us, take a look at some of their comments.