Lynda is a Partner and Head of the Inquest Team that forms part of the Clinical Negligence Department in the London office. She has considerable experience in assisting families with inquests that relate to deaths in hospital or care homes, where medical negligence is expected.
She has been instructed on Article 2 inquests, inquests with juries and complicated medical inquests where numerous experts have been instructed. Where necessary she will make submissions on the Coroner’s power to issue Prevention of Future Deaths reports. Her inquest role combined with subsequent civil claims ensures that she is a specialist on Fatal Accident Act Claims. She is recognised in both UK Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.
The vast extent of types of claims that can cause deaths ensures that she has covered the entire breadth of medical negligence claims. This includes sepsis, delayed cancer diagnosis, gynaecological and obstetric negligence, surgical negligence, pressure sores and orthopaedic negligence against both the NHS and private providers.
In addition to her role in the Inquest team Lynda has a caseload of complex clinical negligence matters which include cerebral palsy, brain injuries, spinal injuries and cauda equina claims.
She was previously an Intensive Care Nurse. This particularly assists Lynda with understanding medical records and expert reports that form the foundation of any clinical negligence claim. Her nursing experience ensures she is able to effectively communicate complex medical terminology in a clear and concise way to her clients.
Lynda is one of the lead team members for the work with UK Sepsis Trust, she is a member of Inquest and works closely with AvMA and APIL. As part of this role she has attended the Ministry of Justice and Parliament to discuss Legal Aid for families for inquest representation and been involved in the Ministry of Justice consultation on inquests for stillbirths.
Recent Cases
- Lynda settled a complex spinal surgery case for £1.5 million where liability was disputed throughout. The case was 2 months from trial when settlement was achieved.
- She has also settled a complex Fatal Accidents and dependency claim at mediation when the initial cause of death was suggested as overdose. Review of the medical evidence and expert evidence at the inquest concluded the death was a result of sepsis. The family, widow and three children received in excess of £500,000 to compensate for the deceased’s loss of earnings and services dependency.
- Lynda has settled liability on two cerebral palsy matters, and she continues to work on quantifying the claim which is anticipated to take several years. The claims are anticipated to be valued in excess of £10 million pounds.
- She has settled several stillbirth and neonatal death claims concluding settlement and obtaining apologies for all the families involved.
- Lynda has also secured an Attorney General FIAT and subsequent High Court Approval to quash an inquest from 2012. The family were unrepresented at the inquest into their son’s death and always considered the Coroner’s conclusion was incorrect.
Education
- Open University LLB Law (Hons): First
- BPP Law School, London – Legal Practice Course: Distinction
- ENB 100 Intensive Care Nursing
- Registered General Nurse (RGN)
Career history
- Lynda qualified as a solicitor in September 2014 and became a Partner at Hugh James in May 2022. She was previously an Intensive Care Nurse.