Apr 8th 2015, 17:44

THE KNOW-HOW YOU NEED TO CONDUCT CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS – NOW IN A NEW SECOND EDITION

An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers

As editor Paul Balen has pointed out, ‘clinical negligence claims are some the most difficult and complex to resolve.’
The major difficulty is that the claimant was ill (obviously) prior to the medical intervention and is still ill, or dead, ostensibly as the result of the medical negligence that is claimed.

Published recently by Jordan’s, this new edition of ‘Clinical Negligence’ presents the expert and insightful commentary of no less than twenty-two specialist practitioners in medical negligence. Whether barristers, solicitors, or medical professionals, their commentary and advice is based on years of experience in this sensitive area of law. The result is a clear, readable and instructive work of reference that, when circumstances demand, you can use as a step-by-step guide to the key areas of medical negligence and the processes and procedures involved in pursuing claims.

Reading through this book is almost like having an expert adviser methodically and calmly leading you though the various stages of case management, whether an interview, a meeting, or the complex task of obtaining, sorting and checking documents.

There is much emphasis, quite rightly, on client care and reassuringly, the ethos of the book can be summed up by the words patience, compassion, understanding and thoroughness -- the qualities and attributes which, one would have thought, are vital for the medical negligence practitioner.

Reflecting the impact of the many recent reforms, including Jackson and the abolition of legal aid, the new edition of this highly regarded work has been considerably revised to take account of, for instance, funding post-Jackson, new Coroners Rules 2013 and the new standard directions for case management; plus recent case law and the latest thinking on causation.

In its handy paperback format, the book is also a source of time-saving information for the busy practitioner. The four appendices include an 18-page list of medical abbreviations, including signs and symbols – vital when you’re perusing reams of documentation – and very usefully, a ‘Model Directions for Clinical and Negligence Cases’ section in chart format for easier reference.

Also note the list of helpful organizations to which clients may be referred and the extensive tables of cases, statutes and statutory instruments.

Medical negligence lawyers, whether specialist or not and indeed all professionals involved with, or interested in medical negligence cases -- including expert witnesses -- should consider this book an essential purchase.

The publication date is cited as at 2014.