Clinical Negligence from Start to Finish
Potter Rees Dolan has been a niche practice since its beginnings 21 years ago.
They have always had client care at the heart of what they do, and have never shied away from taking on the most complex of cases – cases which other law firms have turned away. Their bread and butter is life changing injuries and over the years they have honed their understanding of the legal and therapeutic issues, and without blowing their trumpet too much, they are at the forefront of what they do.
How did you celebrate the company’s 21st birthday on 1st May? What did this milestone mean to you?
How time flies! 21 years of pooled experience and success for our clients is definitely something worth raising a glass to. We are deferring our formal celebration to June though, when the Clinical Negligence department transfers over to new offices. We are now 53 strong across the firm.
How complex can the claims you handle get? Do you have any examples of a particularly challenging case?
Complexity can take many forms; a case can be very challenging legally, or the client may have unusually complicated needs even once liability has been settled. I’m not sure there is any such thing as a straightforward catastrophic injury claim. A life changing injury is just that; the litigation stakes are very high, for the legal teams and the client.
What is the key behind a successful case from start to finish?
The ability to see across all litigation issues whilst keeping the client at the heart of the case provides us with the impetus to drive the litigation forward and recover maximum damages. Attention to detail and a Rottweiler attitude to the pursuit of justice are necessary ingredients!
Is there anything that claimants should keep in mind that they might not be aware of when there is a need for clinical negligence to be investigated?
It’s hard for clients to get their heads around the fact that even if a doctor or healthcare professional has breached its duty of care, that damages will not follow unless causation can be proved. Similarly, it’s hard for them to understand that whilst medicine is a science, it’s not always an exact science, and justice is more about what can be legally proved than about the truth. A skilled solicitor will help the client through the moral maze, but litigation can be stressful and the client should bear that in mind.
Helen Dolan
Senior Partner
Helen is Senior Partner and Head of the clinical negligence department having specialised in this type of work for nearly 20 years. She is passionate about the work she does because she has seen how compensation awards change people’s lives for the better.
Potter Rees Dolan serious injury solicitors is a firm of experienced, committed solicitors based in Manchester. We provide comprehensive and straightforward legal advice covering many different aspects of law, including:
Court of Protection
Our aim is to provide the very best client care and guidance. We are a highly passionate law firm, willing to go the extra mile so you receive the best possible service and are given every chance of securing the outcome you are after.
