Terrence Donovan

Chambers UK 2011: "the full package; he has an in-depth knowledge of the field and can make it easy for others to understand."

Terrence Donovan is a hugely experienced solicitor who specialises in clinical negligence and personal injury claims. 

Terry joined Kingsley Napley in 2003 before which he was Head of Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury at Bindman & Partners.  He is an accredited panel member of both the AvMA and The Law Society’s specialist clinical negligence panels.  He is an APIL senior litigator.

Terry’s caseload focuses on claims involving cerebral palsy, brain damage, and other forms of serious injury. He also deals with fatal accident claims and inquests. 

His in-depth knowledge and his practical approach have involved him in some of the most important recent developments in his areas of the law.  Terry is particularly interested in addressing some of the weaknesses in the conventional approaches to levels of compensation in high value claims.  For example, he was at the forefront of the campaign to make Periodical Payment Orders more effective, he has challenged the Roberts –v- Johnstone formula for calculating accommodation claims, and has taken a lead in establishing more accurate costings for professional deputyship and the administration of the award.

Terry has built upon his specialisation in injury compensation by developing a professional deputyship practice which has given him wide experience of Court of Protection work.  Thus he often has a long term relationship with clients and their families, and is able to offer expert support and guidance on things like purchasing and adapting a home, setting up care regimes and dealing with the Court of Protection.  This also means that he has a very real understanding of the long term costs of looking after seriously injured clients, and he works closely with our Private Client and Property departments.

Terry is regularly invited to speak at industry events, and has lectured on Inquests and the Human Rights Act, the role of the professional deputy, and the future of clinical negligence practice.

What the directories say

• "great at keeping the client on board - a really reassuring lawyer" - Chambers UK, 2011
• "incredibly good with clients" - Legal 500, 2010
• "personable and utterly professional" - Legal 500, 2009
• "He has an amazing manner with clients and will take on your case and really make the best of it" - Chambers UK, 2009
• "the full package; he has in depth knowledge of the field and can make it easy for others to understand" - Chambers UK, 2008
• "Terrence Donovan is praised for being "pleasant and helpful" and his ability to "inspire confidence" in his clients.  Consequently "everyone who meets him likes him," say interviewees" - Chambers and Partners, a client's guide to the legal profession, 2007
• "A practical lawyer," Terrence Donovan is respected for his ability to deliver advice in plain English; he is "very good if you're looking for bullet points and clear strategy." - Chambers and Partners, A client's guide to the legal profession, 2006

Some recent clinical negligence cases

• Cerebral palsy claim.  Seven year old child suffered major brain injury as a result of obstetric negligence at the time of birth.  Settled on the basis of a £1 million lump sum and annual Periodical Payments rising to £223,000 per annum.
• Cerebral palsy claim.  Seven year old child suffered major brain injury as a result of obstetric negligence at the time of birth.  Settled on the basis of a £1.75 million lump sum and annual Periodical Payments rising to £189,000 per annum.
• Cerebral palsy claim.  Seven year old child suffered major brain injury as a result of obstetric negligence at the time of birth.  Settled on the basis of a £2.6 million lump sum and annual Periodical Payments rising to £220,000 per annum.
• Brain injury.  Failure to diagnose bacterial meningitis.  Caused serious brain injury in a two year old child.  £2 million lump sum settlement.
• Neurology.  Young man.  Failure to diagnose testicular torsion resulting in loss of testicle.  £35,000 settlement.
• Diabetes.  Negligent nursing care in an elderly man who developed pressure sores whilst in hospital following a fall.  Pressure sores resulted in an above knee amputation of his leg.  Settlement for £62,000. 
• Brain injury.  Failure to diagnose brain tumour in a young college student.  The delay in diagnosis caused additional neurological problems which would have been avoided with prompt treatment.  Settlement for £275,000.

Some recent personal injury cases

• Workplace accident.  Young man suffered catastrophic multiple injuries in a building site accident.  Permanently and severely disabled.  Lump sum settlement of £5.63 million. 
• Road traffic accident.  Cyclist hit by car, and suffered fatal injuries.  We represented the family at the Inquest, and subsequently brought a civil claim.  Settlement for £400,000.
• Fatal accident on school foreign holiday.  We represented the parents of the deceased child in a claim against the local authority.  Confidential settlement.
• Road traffic accident.  Young man suffered brain injury as a result of collision between two vehicles.  Settlement for £300,000. 
• Road traffic accident.  Young man suffered mild brain injury in road traffic accident.  Settlement £115,000.

Current cases

• Cerebral palsy due to obstetric negligence/oxygen starvation at birth;
• brain injury arising from a failure to treat febrile convulsions;
• brain injury arising from a failure to diagnose meningitis;
• brain injury arising from a failure to diagnose a brain abscess;
• the death of a baby from a failure to diagnose a treatable stomach problem;
• the death of a husband and father arising from a failure to diagnose a treatable lung condition;
• the death of a pedestrian who was knocked over whilst crossing the road;
• product liability claim for a cyclist who suffered serious injuries when part of his bicycle collapsed without warning;
• a claim for a motorcyclist who received serious neck injuries when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle;
• a foreign accident claim arising from a fatal road traffic accident during a family holiday;
•  a serious arm injury in a young child following a playground accident. 

Professional societies

• Accredited Member of the AvMA specialist clinical negligence panel
• Accredited Member of the Law Society's specialist clinical negligence panel
• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
• The Law Society
• City of London Law Society 

Publications and articles

• Law Society Gazette, 21 July 2011: Providing comment on proposals to fast-track lower value clinical negligence cases
• Contribution to Inns of Court Bar Finals Training Material "Dealing with the Professional Client"
• Contributed chapter to Butterworths publication 'Advising Clients with HIV and Aids'

Further information

Outside of work Terry spends likes to spend time with his family. He enjoys socialising, tennis, reading, gardening and any form of practical work which gets him into the fresh air.