The department is led by Riffat Yaqub (Partner) who has specialised in clinical negligence work since she qualified in 1996. Over the last 10 years, we have conducted around 300 clinical negligence cases covering the whole spectrum of specialist areas. The most frequently encountered issues are as follows:- a. Obstetric cases b. Orthopaedic cases c. Claims against GPs d. General surgery e. Neurology f. Accident and emergency g. Oncology h. Paediatric i. Vascular surgery j. Anaesthetic care and intensive care However, we have also been involved in cases concerning dental claims, urological treatment, ophthalmology, ENT treatment, cardiology and psychiatric treatment. We have experience of both County Court and High Court claims and have experience of taking cases to the Court of Appeal. The Team has an extensive directory of independent medical experts which is regularly updated with comments on the expert's performance in each case. The team work closely with a number of experienced experts and specialist barristers. Across recent years, we have achieved the following settlements:- 

Mr S -v- GP Practice
This was a claim against the GP for failing to diagnose diabetes over a ten year period resulting in blindness. Our client recovered the sum of £280,000.

Mrs F -v- East London & City Health Authority
This claim arose as a result of an episiotomy repair during which the needle broke and a long section of the needle was left in the patient's body. The patient did not discover that the needle had been left behind until over thirty years after the event although she had suffered pain and discomfort during this time and had not known the cause. This case went to the Court of Appeal on the limitation point.

Miss P -v- Newham Healthcare NHS Trust, Royal London Hospitals NHS Trust & GP Practice
A claim against two different hospitals and a GP Practice arising from the fact that an intra uterine contraceptive device was inserted without the client's knowledge or consent and was not found for 10 years, rendering her infertile. Settlement figure - £60,000.

Mrs A -v- Redbridge Health Authority
Our client developed severe reflex sympathetic dystrophy following day surgery on the fingers of her right hand. There was a failure to diagnose and treat this condition during the early stages resulting in a virtual loss of function of her right arm and hand. A settlement was achieved of £100,000.

Mr & Master S -v- Basildon & Thurrock General Hospitals NHS Trust
We acted on behalf of the widower and son of a woman who died from a brain haemorrhage after the hospital misread the CT scan as normal when in fact the haemorrhage was clearly shown on the scan. A settlement of £110,000 was achieved.

Mrs S -v- Newham Healthcare NHS Trust
We acted on behalf of a 65 year old woman who suffered a number of problems following knee replacement surgery. The prosthesis became detached but this was not diagnosed or treated with the result that our client suffered severe discomfort and loss of mobility. A settlement of £70,000 was achieved.

Mrs P -v- Redbridge Healthcare NHS Trust and Newham Healthcare NHS Trust
We acted on behalf of a client who had undergone a caesarean section during which a swab was left behind. The operation wound failed to heal and over the period of three years our client underwent 12 minor operations in an attempt to excise and debride the wound resulting in the loss of her navel and scarring across her abdomen. The claim lay against two different hospitals. She received the sum of £22,500.

Mrs B -v- Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust
We acted on behalf of a woman who suffered an injury as a result of mismanagement of the birth of her first child. She was awarded £250,000.