Clinical Negligence
The Team
Legal Experts
Jennifer Scowen
Partner and head of the Clinical Negligence team.
Jenny joined the firm in June 2004 to manage the Clinical Negligence team and is responsible for co-ordinating clinical negligence claims for all of the firm's other offices. She qualified as a Solicitor in 1987 and was appointed a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Referral Panel in 2002. As such, she is a nationally recognised expert in clinical negligence claims. Jenny has experience in dealing with all aspects of funding claims.
She has extensive Claimant and Defendant experience in personal injury/clinical negligence, which has given a perspective and balance when considering the health issues which arise involving claims against the health professionals. She has a special interest in birth injury work. Prior to joining the firm Jenny managed a Birth Injury Unit and several of her cases have received media attention. She has settled claims of 1.5 million and 3.4 million in damages recently and has a number of ongoing cases of a similar nature.
Jenny may be contacted on 0117 904 6257
or email jscowen@lyonsdavidson.co.uk
Katie McCraith
Katie is an Assistant Solicitor.
Katie joined Lyons Davidson in January 2005. She has a background in personal injury work but now specialises in clinical negligence. She was admitted as a Solicitor in February 2004.
Katie may be contacted on 0117 904 5980
or email kmccraith@lyonsdavidson.co.uk
Stephanie Morgan
Stephanie is an Assistant Solicitor.
Stephanie joined Lyons Davidson in June 2006 as an Assistant Solicitor. She works exclusively for Claimants within the Clinical Negligence team, having arrived from a firm which has specialised in this area of work. Stephanie, who speaks fluent Welsh, has worked exclusively in the field of Claimant Clinical Negligence since qualifying as a solicitor in 2004.
Stephanie may be contacted on 0117 904 5738
or email smorgan@lyonsdavidson.co.uk
Cheryl Hayes
Cheryl is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives
Cheryl joined Lyons Davidson in October 2006. She has an extensive background in personal injury work, working for both Claimants and Defendants, and is a Practitioner member of APIL. She now specialises in Clinical Negligence exclusively for Claimants. Cheryl was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in June 2003.
Robert Aldridge
Robert is a Paralegal
Robert joined the Team as a paralegal in January 2007, bringing with him extensive previous experience in nursing practice. Qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1991. In 1996 he specialised in anaesthetics becoming an anaesthetic and recovery nurse. Robert has covered all aspects of nursing practice to include emergency surgery, ear nose and throat care, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology and vascular nursing. He worked as a nurse in Bermuda for several years before returning to this country. Robert also brings to the team legal expertise in addition to his clinical background, as he is currently training to become a Solicitor. Robert works within the department as a paralegal. Robert has successfully completed a Legal Practice Course (one of the steps to qualifying as a solicitor).
Caroline Snodgrass
Caroline has completed her Bar Vocational Course (one of the steps to qualifying as a barrister). She assists within the department in the collation and review of medical records.
Joanne Hutchinson
Joanne has also completed her Bar Vocational Course and assists within the department in the collation and review of medical records.
Medical and Nursing Professionals
Within the team, we are supported by members of the medical and nursing profession, who provide an integrated role to ensure that each claim is viewed from a legal and clinical perspective. Our team comprises the following in-house medical and clinical practitioners:
Dr Samantha Leonard
Qualified as a Specialist Registrar in Clinical Genetics. Her training is in general medicine but particularly she has an interest and experience in oncology and paediatrics.
Elizabeth Brimble
Qualified as a Dental Surgeon in 1985. In 1995 she was also admitted as a Solicitor. Elizabeth has a unique perspective combining both a legal understanding of the issues involved in dental claims and the practical experience of having worked as a Dentist for many years.
Jenny Smith
Qualified as a Nurse in 1991. Has gained experience working as a Health Visitor. Her nursing career is based in Bristol. One of her particular areas of experience and interest relates to issues involving claims against Health Visitors.
Claire Luing
Registered General Nurse, having qualified in 1996. Claire is working in the Bristol Hospitals and has general nursing experience. She has worked within the acute admissions/medicine emergency department and has particular experience in dealing with patients who have suffered stroke or heart attack. Claire also qualified as a health visitor in 1999 and in that capacity has worked predominantly with teenage mothers.
Gillian Knox
Qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1986, where she worked at the Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre in Birmingham before moving to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guilford. Gillian has a degree in Information and Library Services which, combined with her NHS nursing experience, enables us to carry out effective research into all areas of clinical practice that may be appropriate in these claims.
Brenda Champion
Qualified in 1967 as a Registered General Nurse. She has worked for the majority of her career with elderly people within the NHS service and within the private sector. Any issues involving elderly care fall particularly within her area of expertise.
Joanna Hawkins
Trained as a State Registered Nurse at the Bristol Royal Infirmary having qualified in 1972. Joanna has experience as a School Nurse and as a General Practice Nurse. Joanna worked predominantly in the field of orthopaedics before becoming a nurse within a General Practitioners practice. In her capacity as nurse within the General Practitioner practice and subsequently within the school environment, she is qualified to deal with all aspects of minor injury and illness, health promotion and health information.
Amanda Willis
Qualified as a Staff Nurse in January 1992, moving in 1995 to General Nursing in a GP practice. She also currently works as technical editor of Haldsburys Laws, which entails researching legal information, editing and updating Halsburys Laws and is therefore valuable in securing appropriate information with regard to clinical protocols and NHS guidance to its staff. Amanda's also supports us in researching any area of medical or nursing practice which would be relevant to the case.
Karen Cornish
Qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1990 and was subsequently promoted to Sister. She has particular experience and interest in patients with breast cancer and deals with issues of screening. The majority of Karen's experience has however been in the field of ophthalmology.
Elizabeth Brown
Qualified as a State Registered Nurse in 1982 and was then placed in charge of a stroke unit. She has general nursing experience, including care of the elderly, having been appointed Nurse to a nursing home where she worked between 1989 and 1995. Elizabeth has worked as a Phlebotomist (responsible for the collection of blood) and in 2003 was promoted to Team Leader of the phlebotomy service.
Felicity Roberts
A qualified Nurse who has worked closely with the Social Services department and in relation to mental health services. She has particular experience as a General Practitioner Nurse. Felicity's nursing has covered a broad spectrum of care including work within the family planning clinic, providing services for women's health. Within her role as a General Practitioner nurse, she has worked closely with social services providing support for vulnerable patients with psychological difficulties.