I am the head of our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury practice, having joined the firm in February 2023. I have worked in medical negligence and personal injury for more than 30 years.
Throughout my career, I have handled a very wide range of negligence claims, including delayed diagnosis, birth injuries, anaesthetic injuries, surgical errors, GP and hospital negligence, all types of orthopaedic claims — including complex hip and knee replacement surgery cases — and all types of cancer cases.
I have pursued claims against NHS and private hospitals, General Practitioners and numerous disciplines of private treatment providers. I am also highly experienced in dealing with insurance companies and their appointed legal teams in personal injury matters.
I was head of the London clinical negligence team at Slater & Gordon Lawyers for 10 years, where I oversaw the Ian Paterson and De Puy ASR metal hip group actions. Prior to that, I was an equity partner at Christian Khan, acting for many injured and bereaved clients in the Potters Bar (2002) and Ladbroke Grove (1999) train crashes.
I have dedicated my career to helping those who have been injured in all types of accidents. I take great pride in adopting a mature, common‑sense approach and fully recognise the stress that litigation can place on those involved. My aim is always to obtain an early liability decision so that interim payments can be secured — helping clients return to work, access more appropriate accommodation, or obtain essential aids and equipment. I also have a strong network of expert witnesses with whom I have worked for many years.
I am ranked in Chambers UK and recognised as a Key Lawyer in Legal 500.
publications
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Three-year-old girl died from sepsis just 10 hours after being admitted to A&E - because 'doctors failed to recognise her symptoms - Daily Mail, September 2024
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YOUNG LIFE LOST Girl, 3, dies just hours after going to A&E because ‘doctors didn’t recognise her symptoms’ – leaving family devastated - The Sun, September 2024
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Girl, 3, dies hours after going to A&E because 'doctors didn't recognise her symptoms' - Express, September 2024
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Girl, 3, dies hours after going to Broomfield A&E because 'doctors didn't recognise her symptoms' - Essex Live, September 2024
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Inquest examines Essex hospital sepsis protocols after death of three-year-old - ClaimsMedia, September 2024
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No-fault NHS compensation system: Equality but not equity | Opinion | Law Gazette
RECENT CASES
- Brain injury suffered at birth - as a result of a delay in performing a caesarean section upon his mother. The Claimant received a substantial lump sum and annual payments for life, which, on a capitalised basis, are equivalent to an award of just under £21 million.
- Claim for a child with four limb dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy, decreased muscle tone and partially reduced vision. Liability in the case was settled in 2022, with admissions being made as part of the Early Notification Scheme including around failures during the birth such as not correctly measuring the baby’s heart rate or properly resuscitating the child following her birth in poor condition. A compromise settlement was reached for a lump sum, with annual periodical payments to cover ongoing care and case management.
- Cerebral palsy claim – James settled a claim for a young man who was brain damaged at birth due to his delayed delivery. The final award approved by the court was for lump sum payments of £3.3m sterling and €5m euros. Additionally the claimant will receive €355,900 (index linked) per annum to fund his care package.
- Nerve injury during routine scoliosis surgery – £290,000 awarded against a well-regarded private spinal surgeon in respect of a severely debilitating spinal nerve injury caused during a routine scoliosis surgery. Following the initial surgery, two further surgeries were performed in quick succession which caused further trauma. The case was very complex on the issue of consent and causation.
- Hip replacement surgery claim – routine hip surgery was not performed to a reasonable standard – leading to three further surgeries and a Girdestone procedure. James fought hard settling only a couple of weeks before trial. The final settlement was for a lump sum of £1,625,000 alongside Periodical Payments of £168,000 per year from 2025 to 2029 and thereafter for life at £216,500 annually. This represents an excellent outcome for the client who can in the first instance look to move to more suitable accommodation.
- Claim for a high achieving professional and mother of young children, who suffered a devastating brain injury due to delayed diagnosis of a subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleed on the brain). It was argued that the hospital should have arranged an urgent CT scan when ST first attended which would have led to a diagnosis of CVST. ST would then have been prescribed anticoagulation (a medicine to help prevent blood clots) and made an almost complete recovery. Following negotiations, the case settled for over £3,500,000.
WHAT CLIENTS AND THE DIRECTORIES SAY
James Bell has been exemplary in looking after our case. He has struck the perfect balance for us in pursuing our claim in a delicate and supportive manner. We are very grateful to him for all his guidance and care. I would happily recommend him to friends and family if ever needed.
Client feedback, 2025
James is a highly experienced litigator, handling cases of the highest order and complexity.
Legal 500, 2023
James is hugely experienced, with great judgement and tactical nous. Fights hard for his clients and gets great results. In addition to excellent case preparation skills he has a very nice manner with injury victims.
Legal 500, 2022
He has good client care skills and makes it an easy process for his clients. He's also intuitive and has good judgement.
Chambers UK, 2021
