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Janet Allan - Medical negligence solicitor
Newcastle senior medical negligence solicitor
Janet is a Partner and is both the Head of our National Clinical Negligence team, and the regional head of the Newcastle clinical negligence team. She has 20 years experience of personal injury, although for more than 10 years now she has specialised in medical negligence compensation claims in Newcastle and the North East.
Janet has dealt with a wide range of injuries resulting from medical negligence. These have included cerebral palsy claims, birth injury, spinal injury, loss of an eye, loss of a leg, delay in diagnosis of cancer, knee surgery and wrist and hand surgery.
Heading up the Newcastle team, Janet has acquired an in depth knowledge of medical negligence claims caused by both GP’s and hospital doctors and her extensive experience in pursuing claims and representing families at inquests has been gained over many years.
Client care is of paramount importance to Janet. Having dealt with the devastating long term implications of injury caused by medical negligence errors, she always fights to secure the maximum compensation and in the most complex cases, periodical payments for ongoing care will be sought in addition to interim payments to cover the cost of more suitable accommodation, physiotherapy, CBT counselling etc.
A Newcastle solicitor, Janet's in depth knowledge of these complex claims, strong negotiation skills, commitment and determination have assisted many clients in securing clinical negligence compensation to improve the quality of their life and in coping with the emotional traumas of clinical accidents. Her experience will help you and your family secure the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Janet is a member of several legal and support organisations including:-
- The Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme member
- The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers senior litigator
- The Spinal Injuries Association where she is listed as a regional contact
- Chambers and the Legal 500 Guide mention Janet by name as a key individual for clinical negligence in the North East area
- Janet and her team have carried out fund raising for Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AvMA) and Janet, who is a panel member, and her team attend regional AVMA meetings and AVMA’s annual conference
- Janet and her team have carried out fund raising events for the Percy Hedley Foundation
Successful medical negligence compensation claims
Here are just a few examples of the type of medical negligence and surgical error cases which Janet has successfully concluded.
Medical negligence compensation claim – Birth Asphyxia
When their daughter was 18 months old, her parents sought advice on bringing a claim for medical negligence. The child had suffered birth asphyxia during her delivery, causing brain damage. Although knowing immediately that something was very wrong, they had hoped that she would make a full recovery.
The mother had gone into the hospital maternity unit shortly before the birth, but the hospital, which had only been open 2 days, was not equipped to take her blood pressure or monitor the baby. The delay in examining the mother proved devastating for the baby.
Janet brought a claim for medical negligence on their behalf and arranged for them to see a consultant paediatrician who, six years after their daughter’s birth, finally confirmed that she was suffering from cerebral palsy as a result of negligent treatment at her birth, resulting in her suffering birth asphyxia.
This was a difficult case, as much of the information normally recorded during the delivery was missing. Court proceedings were issued by Janet and an interim payment obtained to fund the purchase of suitable accommodation. Ultimately a settlement was reached shortly prior to trial, which included both a significant lump sum, including an award for future loss of earnings, and staged periodical payments for care and case management to provide the costs for the long-term care required for many years to come.
Medical negligence compensation claim – Prescribed drug overdose
This client had undergone major but routine surgery and was recovering in hospital. To guard against infection, she was given Gentamycin intravenously for a period of several weeks. A known side effect of receiving Gentamycin over extended periods is the development of bilateral vestibulopathy failure, resulting in loss of hearing and problems with balance.
Towards the end of her hospital stay, our client was experiencing these symptoms and bouts of dizziness. She was unable to perform physiotherapy exercises prescribed to aid her mobility following the surgery and a Balance Assessment confirmed that she was suffering from bilateral vestibulopathy failure.
Although she has seen some improvement, there is no cure for her condition and she is now unable to walk without the aid of sticks. She requires permanent care in getting around and has been retired from her job, which involved considerable amounts of travel, on the grounds of ill-health.
Janet brought this claim for medical negligence compensation on the grounds that the risks of developing bilateral vestibulopathy failure were well-known and documented, and the medical staff caring for our client should have monitored the administration of this drug.
Although the Trust had made initial offers of settlement, Janet advised rejection and issued court proceedings in order to secure fair compensation. Shortly before trial, she negotiated almost £400,000 in compensation for her client, a substantially higher figure than originally offered. This included a sum for her loss of earnings until her planned retirement date and ongoing and future care costs.
Medical negligence compensation claim – Delay in diagnosing bowel cancer
Our client had undergone surgery some years ago to remove a polyp from her bowel. She then received chemotherapy and returned to work. Following the surgery, she was monitored on a regular basis with colonoscopy and ultrasound. Each time she was re-assured that all was well.
In the intervening years, our client had sought medical advice on several occasions for symptoms related to her digestive processes, and was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. However, when her symptoms persisted, despite medication, she was referred for a CT scan and MRI scan of the bowel. These confirmed a recurrence of the tumour from the site of the original surgery. She underwent further surgery for a bowel resection and although she initially tried to return to work, she retired on ill-health grounds and died before the case was concluded.
Janet brought this claim for medical negligence on the grounds that the tumour when found, was of sufficient size as to block the bowel and could be felt during clinical examination. It was clear, therefore, that the tumour should have been identified during previous colonoscopy examinations.
The Trust denied liability, arguing that this was a different tumour from that removed in her first operation, but eventually abandoned this argument.
Janet found it necessary to issue court proceedings in order to bring the Trust to the negotiating table. She retained experts who specialised in bowel cancer, and with their evidence, was able to secure over £80,000 in medical negligence compensation, having initially advised our client to reject a much smaller offer.
Client comments
Here is just a small sample of the many expressions of gratitude that Janet receives each year.
“I would like to recognise the excellent qualities of Janet Allan, Newcastle. Janet had the most challenging case and she always displayed professionalism, intelligence, honesty, care and commitment. We are very grateful to Janet Allan."
Mother of baby who suffered birth injury
“An excellent company they are second to non in dealing precise and serious with our case we are so grateful to Janet Allan for all her hard work and loyalty in dealing and succeeding with our case. I would recommend these services as being of high quality."
Recipient of medical negligence compensation
“I would like to thank Janet Allan for her professional handling of my case and wish her well in everything she does."
Recipient of accident compensation
Making a medical negligence compensation claim
Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible. Please go to our Costs and Risks section for information on how Clear Answers will handle your claim and funding.
Alternative funding arrangements may apply in Northern Ireland due to differing procedures and Law Society regulations.
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