Richard Lodge

Richard is a Partner in the Medical Negligence and Personal Injury practice and has been recognised as a rising star within the field of clinical/ medical negligence every year since the inaugural publication of the Super Lawyers directory in 2013, and in 2017 was noted  as 'talented' in Legal 500 UK.

Richard has a varied caseload with an emphasis on spinal, brain and catastrophic injuries.  He is experienced in all aspects of spinal injury including, injuries arising from trauma, orthopaedic and neurosurgical procedures, congenital abnormalities of the spine and the failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome.

Richard acts for individuals who have sustained injuries as a result of medical treatment.  His cases involve treatment provided by the NHS, GPs or the private sector.

Noted for his tenacious approach, Richard gets to grips with complex medicine to find the crux of a case.  He gives straightforward and well reasoned advice.  His ability to explain complex legal issues in clear, concise language is regularly noted by clients.  He has an excellent track record of securing favourable settlements for clients.

During the course of his career, Richard has been a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).  He is a past secretary for the Damages Special Interest Group (2010-2012) and past co-ordinator for the Spinal Injury Group (2016-2018).  He has also been a contributor to the Solicitors Journal, and Personal Injury Law Journal and blogs about his subject regularly.

What clients and directories have said

"highly regarded clinical negligence practitioner with extensive experience in birth and neonatal injury claims, as well as cases involving brain and spinal cord injuries." 

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2019

"Richard is always on top of his cases and will think outside the box to come to a solution." 

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2019

"He's got an eye for detail and is incredibly thorough"

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2019

Recent cases

• Unreported settlement (injury sustained to a 66 year old male; above the knee amputation following the failure to treat a peri-operative infection acquired during knee replacement surgery)
• Unreported settlement (A&E failure to diagnose and treat an unstable spinal fracture leading to spinal cord injury resulting in T10 ASIA A paraplegia in a 71 year old female)
• Unreported settlement (spinal cord injury sustained during a surgical procedure resulting in T12 paraplegia)
• ENE -v- Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (brain injury arising from failure to treat respiratory infection resulting in quadriplegic dyskinetic cerebral palsy.  Female claimant age 18, award amounting to £4.9 million).
• Unreported settlement (injury sustained to the claimant’s cervical spine during surgery to correct scoliosis.  Female claimant age 26, award amounting to £4.5 million).
• MD -v- Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome in 33 year old male resulting in mild urological symptoms.).
• RH -v- North West London Hospitals NHS Trust (failure to diagnose Cauda Equina Syndrome in a 50 year old male leading to permanent neurological impairment in respect of mobility, incontinence and neuropathic pain.  Award amounting to £750,000).

Publications

• Mediation is a win for all in clinical negligence , Practice Business 19 July 2018
• The Times Letters to The Editor,  16 July 2018
• The Times Letters to The Editor,  17 February 2018
• The Times Letters to The Editor, 19 January 2018
• NHS must take greater care with patients and litigation, The Times Online, 14 September 2017
• Medical Negligence & Personal Injury quarterly newsletter - 2nd quarter 2017
• Medical Negligence & Personal Injury quarterly newsletter - 1st quarter 2017

Professional Memberships and Societies

• The Law Society
• Accredited Member of the Law Society's specialist clinical negligence panel
• Spinal Injuries Association, Gold Corporate Member
• APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)
• AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents)