https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blogKohanaPHPMedical Negligence and Personal Injury Teamhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/richard-lodge-co-authors-new-edition-of-clinical-negligence-handbookTue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000We are delighted to announce that Richard Lodge, Partner in our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team, has jointly authored Clinical Negligence: A Practitioner’s Handbook - Second Edition with Elizabeth‑Anne Gumbel KC of 1 Crown Office Row Chambers. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/richard-lodge-co-authors-new-edition-of-clinical-negligence-handbookJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/making-the-right-choice-why-section-24-of-the-law-reform-personal-injuries-act-1948-should-not-be-repealedThu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000The Medical Defence Union is lobbying Parliament for changes to laws relating to clinical negligence claims. It has written an open letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for ‘decisive action to tackle soaring legal costs’. Among its requests, the MDU is repeating its position that section 2(4) of the Law Reform (Personal Injuries) Act 1948 should be repealed. This legislation requires awards of compensation for future care needs, to be based on the cost of future private care and to disregard the availability of treatment within the NHS.   https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/making-the-right-choice-why-section-24-of-the-law-reform-personal-injuries-act-1948-should-not-be-repealedJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/multiple-missed-opportunities-in-paediatric-orthopaedic-care-at-addenbrookes-hospitalTue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have published a report dealing with concerns around the practices of a trauma and orthopaedic consultant, Ms Kuldeep Stohr, who specialised in treating children at Addenbrooke's Hospital. A clinical review of 800 patients is now underway. Ms Stohr has been suspended.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/multiple-missed-opportunities-in-paediatric-orthopaedic-care-at-addenbrookes-hospitalSharon Burkillhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/unique-and-united-on-world-cerebral-palsy-day-2025Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100This year, World Cerebral Palsy Day falls on 6 October with a theme of ‘#Unique and United’. The Kingsley Napley Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team strongly support the vision of this global movement - which is about recognition of the 50 million people who are living with cerebral palsy and striving for a more accessible and inclusive world.   https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/unique-and-united-on-world-cerebral-palsy-day-2025James Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/where-every-minute-counts-hypoxic-birth-injuries-causation-and-material-contributionTue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100Legal claims for hypoxic brain injuries during birth – caused by a disruption in oxygen supply - remain prevalent. These injuries can have a devastating impact and lead to lifelong conditions including Cerebral Palsy. Indeed, claims relating to brain injuries sustained during birth account for a significant percentage of the total value of clinical negligence damages paid out each year. This is because the average amount of damages for such cases is very high, not infrequently running to tens of millions of pounds, with some impacted children having lifelong needs for care, treatment, equipment and housing. Nonetheless, claims for clinical negligence in this area can be particularly thorny to prove. In this article I consider when the doctrine of ‘material contribution’ – said by the Court of Appeal to have been ‘bedevilled by apparent inconsistency’ – may apply to hypoxic birth injury cases where the window for avoiding injury can be short. Does every minute really count?https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/where-every-minute-counts-hypoxic-birth-injuries-causation-and-material-contributionKirsty Allenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/14-maternity-trusts-to-be-scrutinised-as-part-of-national-investigationWed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100The Government has this week confirmed the names of 14 Hospital Trusts that will be part of a rapid national investigation of maternity and newborn baby care across England that was announced by Wes Streeting back in June. (See my colleague Sharon Burkill’s blog on that announcement here). I am carefully watching the developments with regard to this investigation, knowing full well from my clients and their stories how desperately improvements to our maternity services are needed.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/14-maternity-trusts-to-be-scrutinised-as-part-of-national-investigationSharon Burkillhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/kingsley-napleys-medical-negligence-team-walks-together-with-the-dame-vera-lynn-childrens-charityWed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100We were delighted to take part in a 15km walk on Saturday 6 September for the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity (DVLCC) to raise funds for this excellent cause. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/kingsley-napleys-medical-negligence-team-walks-together-with-the-dame-vera-lynn-childrens-charitySharon Burkill and Asha Kaushalhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/hssib-contributes-to-the-national-investigation-into-maternity-and-neonatal-services-but-will-change-ever-be-implementedTue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has shared insights into safety concerns raised by women and families and other stakeholders about maternity and neonatal care within NHS England, highlighting once again the need for meaningful change.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/hssib-contributes-to-the-national-investigation-into-maternity-and-neonatal-services-but-will-change-ever-be-implementedJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/nhs-patient-safety-investigations-have-i-got-a-legal-claimMon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0100Where there has been a concern surrounding medical care at an NHS Hospital, an internal investigation may be carried out and a written report produced to assist with learning from the incident. From a patient perspective, the report can be helpful in understanding more about the event and what, if anything, went wrong.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/nhs-patient-safety-investigations-have-i-got-a-legal-claimJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/problems-with-glaucoma-care-at-the-george-eliot-hospital-nhs-trustWed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100We are extremely concerned to read reports that treatment guidelines relating to glaucoma allegedly have not been followed at the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust in Warwickshire, leading to patients’ sight being harmed. Some patients are said to have suffered permanent visual damage.   https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/problems-with-glaucoma-care-at-the-george-eliot-hospital-nhs-trustJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/nhsr-annual-report-clinical-negligence-under-the-spotlightWed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100Each year NHS Resolution, the body dealing with legal claims against the NHS, produces a report which provides insights into what is happening with clinical negligence claims. This year the picture is very mixed. It shows that claims for clinical negligence are on the rise although more cases are being settled without the need for Court proceedings. Nonetheless, despite Government efforts, high levels of maternity cases and associated costs persist.   https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/nhsr-annual-report-clinical-negligence-under-the-spotlightMedical Negligence and Personal Injury Teamhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/providing-medical-treatment-to-a-non-english-speaking-patientWed, 16 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100In this blog, we talk about providing medical treatment to a non-English speaking patienthttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/providing-medical-treatment-to-a-non-english-speaking-patientLaura Vincent Evanshttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/outdated-failing-and-in-short-supply-nhs-equipment-crisis-putting-patients-at-riskWed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100According to a recent article in The Guardian NHS England has confirmed that since 2022, equipment failures within the NHS have been responsible for: 87 patient deaths 68 patients severely harmed who suffered permanent damage or reduced life expectancy 522 patients moderately harmed whose independence was subsequently limited for up to 6 months https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/outdated-failing-and-in-short-supply-nhs-equipment-crisis-putting-patients-at-riskJames Bellhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/james-bell-published-in-the-apil-pi-focus-magazineTue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100Kingsley Napley’s head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury has had an article published in this month’s APIL PI Focus magazine which includes a collection of articles examining the topic of birth injury. James’ piece deals with causation and the doctrine of material contribution in legal claims for hypoxic brain injuries during birth.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/james-bell-published-in-the-apil-pi-focus-magazineJames Bell and Chloe Jacothttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/when-metal-hip-replacements-go-wrongWed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100Hip replacement surgery is very common, restoring mobility and quality of life to thousands every year in the UK. It is recognised to be the most cost effective for the NHS in returning patients to productive lives. The components wearing surfaces may be metal, ceramic or plastic, and will often last over 20 to 25 years, or even longer for some people. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/when-metal-hip-replacements-go-wrongSharon Burkillhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/is-this-the-turning-point-for-maternity-careWed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100Concerns over NHS maternity care are very sadly seldom out of the news. As a lawyer who has specialised in birth injury claims over many years, it has been all too clear to me for a long time, that far too many women and babies, fail to receive anywhere close to adequate maternity care leading in some instances to devastating outcomes.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/is-this-the-turning-point-for-maternity-careLaura Vincent Evans and Asha Kaushalhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/why-fatigue-of-nhs-staff-matters-and-the-risk-it-poses-to-patient-safetyWed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100Fatigue within the NHS presents a significant risk to patient safety, yet in healthcare its consequences remain largely unrecognised despite the increasing demands on NHS workforces.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/why-fatigue-of-nhs-staff-matters-and-the-risk-it-poses-to-patient-safetyKatie Deanhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/litigation-friendsWed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100While we mostly associate dementia with the affect it can have on our memory, it can also affect our ability to think and communicate and our capacity to manage our own affairs.  When undertaking legal proceedings, as solicitors, we have a duty to ensure that our clients have the mental capacity to give proper instructions to bring, or defend, a claim.  Where our client does not have the necessary capacity, a Litigation Friend may be appointedhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/litigation-friendsKirsty Allenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/brain-injuries-the-good-the-bad-and-the-inspiringMon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100We are now in Action for Brain Injury week, run annually by the charity Headway to raise awareness and understanding of the different aspects of brain injury. The theme this year is ‘On a good day’ which aims to highlight the fluctuating and unpredictable nature of brain injury and the gap that can arise between someone’s capabilities on a good day versus a bad day. Headway wants people to see both sides of the story. It seeks to change behaviours and opinions towards those who might be having an ‘all-too-common bad day’.   https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/brain-injuries-the-good-the-bad-and-the-inspiringChloe Jacothttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/womens-health-series-4-cancer-claimsTue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100New research suggests that UK cancer cases have risen in women but fallen in men. Women’s cancers include gynaecological cancer (i.e. cervical, ovarian and vaginal cancers) and breast cancer. Here I look at the impacts of delays in diagnosis and treatment failures, provide some guidance on bringing a medical negligence claim and consider why there is hope for the future with new technologies.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/medical-negligence-and-personal-injury-blog/womens-health-series-4-cancer-claims