Suzanne is a highly experienced solicitor, having specialised in medical negligence and serious injury claims for 20 years.
She was previously a Partner at a top-ranked law firm in central London, where she was Head of the Clinical Negligence department.
Suzanne has run successful claims arising from negligent medical treatment in a wide range of fields. These include cases where, sadly, a patient has lost their life or had their life expectancy shortened by a delay in diagnosis, such as cancer.
She later set up and was head of a specialist group for adults who had suffered a brain injury. This placed a clear focus on her clients’ needs, whose injuries were caused either because of medical negligence or an injury elsewhere, such as in a car accident, at work, or in a public place.
She is adept at working with vulnerable people at all stages after their injury, including those who need family members to represent them in legal proceedings. Suzanne is tenacious in fighting for the right outcome for her clients. Whilst she works collaboratively to resolve problems and progress claims, she is experienced in taking cases to trial, should it be necessary.
Suzanne appreciates how a serious injury can impact the whole family, who need tailored support and specialist advice. She focuses on finding bespoke solutions to meet individual needs, drawing upon a network of established experts to provide the help and advice required.
Notable cases include
- A delay in diagnosis of TB meningitis in a 23-year-old mother, causing her to suffer a catastrophic brain injury, permanent paralysis and blindness. As soon as interim compensation was available, the family were able to move into more suitable accommodation for her needs. A professional care regime was set up, with therapies to meet her life-long needs. The claim settled for £10.5 million.
- The inappropriate physical restraint of a man in his 30s, during which there was also a failure to monitor his vital signs. He sadly suffered a brain injury and remained in a coma for a number of years before his death. We assisted with both the inquest and legal proceedings, which ultimately settled for a six-figure sum.
- A life-changing brain injury suffered by a young man in his early 20s in a car accident. He developed complex needs and required a comprehensive care and therapy package in appropriate accommodation. The claim settled for £7.5 million, providing him with the support he needs for the rest of his life.
- A delay in diagnosis of several months of ovarian cancer in a woman in her 50s, repeatedly misdiagnosed. The claim settled for £230,000.
- A life-threatening brain injury and paralysis suffered by a man in his 20s whilst working on a construction site. An interim payment meant that we were able to arrange for early private rehabilitation and treatment, with the professional care, therapies and accommodation he needed. We were also able to arrange for a powered standing wheelchair, which significantly improved his independence and wellbeing. The claim settled for £6.5 million.
- A stroke suffered by a woman in her 60s due to a negligent change in her medication ahead of a surgical procedure. This was catastrophic, and having previously led an active life, she required round-the-clock care, specialist equipment and adaptations to her home. Sadly, she died after a later further stroke. The claim settled for £550,000, and her family received a written apology.
Suzanne is a long-standing campaigner for improved safety and justice for injured people. She has been significantly involved with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a nationwide organisation. She was secretary of APIL’s special interest group for clinical negligence before becoming a member of the executive committee between 2017 and 2024. She was then elected by the membership of APIL to be Vice President between 2022 and 2024.
She is accredited as a Fellow of APIL in recognition of her experience in personal injury law. She is also individually accredited as both a clinical negligence and brain injury specialist and is an assessor for both standards.
She has participated in working groups on law reform and contributed towards many responses to government consultations and proposals. In 2018/19, Suzanne was a member of the Civil Justice Council’s core working group to consider fixed recoverable costs in lower value clinical negligence claims.
Suzanne volunteered for many years assisting patients on the charity helpline for Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), with whom she continues to have a close relationship. She has also worked closely with Headway UK and its branches in South East London, North West Kent, and East London.
Suzanne is proud to be a trustee of The Silverlining brain injury charity, having held the role since 2016. The nationwide charity provides community and support to thousands of people who have suffered a brain injury and their families.
She has delivered training to a wide range of audiences, including the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. Suzanne has also spoken and chaired expert panel discussions at numerous medico-legal conferences.
Suzanne has frequently been invited to provide comment on issues relating to serious injury and safety for both the national and legal press. She is a member of the Westminster & Holborn Law Society and the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF).
Testimonials
Legal 500 says Suzanne is “a real leader in her field. Determined and thorough and leads her team with real skill and determination”.
Chambers & Partners say, “Suzanne is exceptionally client-focused, she’s very experienced and achieves excellent results for her clients.”
“Her working knowledge is huge, and she has a wealth of experience”.
