Expertise pays off in negligence cases

JOHN POLLITT . . . better training leading to success

AN Oldham solicitor who specialises in clinical negligence has welcomed an increase in successful cases resulting in claimants winning damages.

John Pollitt, a partner at Pearson Hinchliffe, which has an office in Queen Street, said: “We believe that every patient is entitled to a reliable explanation for an adverse outcome, and that successful claims serve both to compensate the patient and to drive up healthcare standards.”

He put the increase in the number of successful cases down to increased expertise due to better training.

Mr Pollitt spoke out following new figures from the Legal Services Commission which show solicitors’ firms specialising in clinical negligence have seen their average case success rates rise by 12 per cent over the last decade.

The body, which is responsible for commissioning and administering legal aid in England and Wales, says the average success rates of clinical negligence cases is up from 25 per cent to 37 per cent — despite half of all cases being dropped at the initial investigation stage due to medical evidence.

Mr Pollitt is an acknowledged expert in the field of clinical negligence law, with 10 years experience in the field, and delivers lectures and training seminars for medical professionals.