Pearson Solicitors strengthens Medical Negligence team with Daniel Phelps appointed Head of Department

Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers has strengthened its specialist Medical Negligence team with the appointment of Daniel Phelps as Head of Medical Negligence, alongside the recruitment of experienced solicitors and the continued development of new legal talent within the department.

Daniel, who qualified as a solicitor with Pearson in 2022 after completing his training contract with the firm, has built a strong reputation for his expertise in clinical negligence and his commitment to supporting clients and their families through some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

In his new role, Daniel will lead a growing team dedicated to helping people who believe they have suffered avoidable harm as a result of medical treatment.

The Medical Negligence team deals exclusively with medical, clinical and surgical negligence claims, representing clients across the UK. Its work covers a wide range of cases, including delayed diagnosis and treatment, surgical errors, birth injuries, cerebral palsy, serious brain and spinal injuries, sight loss, prescription errors and other avoidable medical incidents.

Daniel said:

“I am delighted to take on the role of Head of Medical Negligence at Pearson. Having trained and qualified at the firm, it is particularly rewarding to now lead a team that is so committed to helping people who have been affected by medical negligence.

“For clients, making a medical negligence claim can be daunting. They may be seeking answers about what happened to them or a loved one at a time when they are already dealing with the consequences of an injury or illness. Our role is not simply about pursuing a claim – it is about listening, explaining things clearly and supporting people throughout the process.

“We have a fantastic team with a broad range of experience, and I am excited about continuing to develop the department and the service we provide to our clients.”

A growing specialist team

Daniel’s appointment comes as Pearson continues to expand its Medical Negligence department.

Andrew Yaw joined the firm in January 2026, bringing more than 20 years' experience representing people who have suffered injuries through accidents and medical negligence. Andrew has spent the last decade focusing solely on medical negligence claims and has extensive experience in complex cases involving fatal claims, serious brain and spinal injuries, delayed cancer diagnosis and significant, life-changing injuries.

Haseena Zaitoon Ahmed joined Pearson in May 2026 as a Clinical Negligence Solicitor. Having qualified in 2021, Haseena brings a broad background in personal injury litigation and has developed a particular interest in the investigative side of clinical negligence, including reviewing complex medical records and identifying what may have gone wrong.

In March 2026, the team also welcomed Hafsa Khan as a Paralegal. Hafsa brings a particularly valuable perspective to the department, having qualified as a midwife in 2025 and previously worked in clinical practice at The Highfield Hospital in Rochdale. Her medical background provides practical insight into patient care, clinical procedures and healthcare environments, which she now applies to supporting medical negligence investigations and case preparation.

The department has also continued to develop its own talent. Sophia Rawlings joined Pearson’s Medical Negligence department following experience in catastrophic injury work and previously working in Employers and Public Liability. She began her training contract with Pearson in January 2025 while studying for her LLM and Legal Practice Course at BPP University in Manchester and qualified as a solicitor in July 2026.

Putting people first

Pearson’s Medical Negligence team focuses on making what can be a complicated legal process as understandable and straightforward as possible for clients.

The firm recognises that bringing a claim against a healthcare professional, NHS trust or private healthcare provider can be difficult. Its dedicated client service team works alongside the legal team to listen to clients, help them understand their options and support them through the early stages of a claim.

The team can assist with matters including obtaining medical records, investigating what happened, instructing appropriate medical experts and advising on what funding options are available to help clients bring a claim.

Joanne Ormston, Director at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, said:

“Daniel's appointment as Head of Medical Negligence reflects both his development within Pearson and how he has contributed to the talent and the strength of the team he is now leading.

“What stands out about this department is the combination of legal expertise, specialist medical knowledge and, importantly, a genuine understanding of the people behind the cases.

“We have continued to invest in the team by bringing in experienced solicitors such as Andrew and Haseena, while also developing the next generation of lawyers through people such as Sophia, who has qualified as a solicitor within the firm, and the recruitment of Hafsa, a qualified midwife from the NHS.

“Medical negligence cases can have a profound and lasting impact on individuals and families. Our aim is to make sure clients have access to experienced specialists who can provide clear advice, compassionate support and a thorough investigation of what happened.”

Pearson’s Medical Negligence team represents clients throughout the UK and has offices in Oldham, Uppermill, Failsworth and Milnrow. Where appropriate, the team can also arrange home or hospital visits and can assist clients remotely by email, video call or telephone.