Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Clinical Negligence Senior Associate to join our client's established team. This role offers the opportunity to manage a varied caseload of complex clinical negligence claims, advising clients with sensitivity and professionalism while working closely with medical experts, counsel, healthcare professionals and other third parties to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage a varied caseload of clinical negligence claims from initial instruction through investigation, litigation, settlement or trial, including cases involving misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, surgical errors, negligent treatment, birth injury, brain injury, spinal injury and fatal claims.
• Take responsibility for complex and high-value claims, developing case strategies, assessing prospects and advising clients on the legal, medical, evidential and financial aspects of their claims.
• Investigate potential claims by reviewing medical records, expert evidence, witness statements, treatment histories, complaints documentation and other relevant materials to identify breaches of duty, causation and recoverable losses.
• Draft and review letters of advice, letters of claim, pleadings, schedules of loss, counter-schedules, witness statements, applications, instructions to experts and other litigation documentation.
• Instruct, liaise with and manage a range of medical and other experts, including preparing detailed instructions, assessing expert reports and identifying areas requiring further investigation or clarification.
• Conduct negotiations with NHS bodies, healthcare providers, medical defence organisations, insurers and their legal representatives, seeking appropriate interim payments, rehabilitation support and settlements where suitable.
• Manage cases in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules, Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes, limitation requirements, court directions and applicable regulatory obligations.
• Prepare cases for alternative dispute resolution, interlocutory hearings and trial, working effectively with counsel and ensuring that evidence, pleadings and case management requirements are properly prepared.
• Provide clear, empathetic and commercially focused advice to clients and their families, explaining complex medical and legal issues in an accessible manner and keeping clients informed throughout their claim.
• Support the development of junior lawyers and legal support colleagues through supervision, delegation, technical guidance and constructive feedback.

Key skills and experience:

• Qualified solicitor or Legal Executive with substantial post-qualification experience in clinical negligence; experience handling complex claimant or defendant clinical negligence work will be considered.
• Demonstrable experience managing a caseload of clinical negligence claims, including high-value, catastrophic injury, fatality, birth injury or complex causation matters.
• Strong technical knowledge of clinical negligence law, including breach of duty, causation, limitation, contributory negligence, damages, expert evidence, civil procedure and the Pre-Action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes.
• Excellent legal drafting, advocacy, negotiation and analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex medical evidence and develop clear, effective case strategies.