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Devon and Cornwall road deaths spike
Recent years have seen many initiatives across the UK to improve road safety to reduce deaths and serious injury, which makes the figures for Devon and Cornwall for August particularly surprising. Authorities have said that in August 2021 more than 20 people died on Cornwall’s roads, where the average is...
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20 September 2021
Damages awarded to mother following Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI)
We all know that giving birth is painful and that when a woman is in the process of giving birth, there is little room for modesty or embarrassment. For most women once the baby is born, they will recover from the trauma of childbirth and be able to focus on...
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17 September 2021
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) in childbirth
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury (OASI) is an injury suffered by women during childbirth. OASI involves damage to the perineal and anal sphincter muscles. The more severe the injury the further into the anal sphincter the tear extends. What are third and fourth degree tears? OASI injuries are categorised as third...
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17 September 2021
Perinatal birth plan: Clarke Willmott secures £12,000 compensation for client
Clarke Willmott has recently obtained £12,000 in compensation for a client as a result of the hospital failing to follow her perinatal birth plan. The pregnancy in question was our client’s third pregnancy following a first trimester miscarriage and a successful caesarean section. The previous caesarean section was complicated by...
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8 September 2021
Lasting powers of attorney for business owners
Everyone should consider how their financial affairs will be dealt with in the event of their incapacity, and, as everyone has been reminded over the past year, old age is not the only cause of incapacity; accidents and devastating illness are also possibilities that should be borne in mind. The...
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3 August 2021
What to expect following insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD)
The intrauterine device (commonly known as the coil) is an extremely effective (99%) and long-lasting form of contraception (five-ten years depending on the device used). It is the preferred method of contraception for many thousands of women in the UK. The nhs.uk website lists the various advantages to IUD and...
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22 June 2021
E-scooters causing serious injuries
A few weeks ago we discussed the rules surrounding e-scooters and their use on the road. It seems that many people remain unaware of the rules and only in Government approved rental schemes can they be used on the road. However, police in Slough are saying that it seems to...
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9 June 2021
Drink-drive clampdown
We have probably all heard the famous lyric from the song “In the Summertime” – “have a drink, have a drive, go out and see what you can find”. Whilst that song might be said to be of its time, nevertheless drink-driving over the summer months has always been concerning,...
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8 June 2021
Clarke Willmott has recently concluded a case on behalf of the estate of RD (deceased)
RD was 62 years of age and retired when on 30 April 2017 he collapsed at home and was found unconscious on the kitchen floor by his wife, having suffered a significant bleed by mouth. Following a tonic-clonic seizure, RD was then transferred by ambulance to University Hospital Southampton, with...
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7 June 2021
Clarke Willmott secures millions for child with cerebral palsy
Our personal injury and clinical negligence team have successfully secured over £19 million for a child with cerebral palsy. Led by senior associate Gemma Osgood, our multi-disciplinary team worked on behalf of ‘P’ who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following complications during his birth at a local birthing centre and...
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19 May 2021
WetWheels foundation announces new trustee
Gemma Osgood, senior associate in our clinical negligence team, has taken up a voluntary position with WetWheels, a foundation which gives disabled people the opportunity to enjoy exciting experiences on water. Gemma will assist the Board in shaping the future of the charity which was set up by disabled yachtsman...
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7 May 2021
Successful claim following insertion of incorrect knee prosthesis
At age 16 years, KV was involved in a serious road traffic accident. She sustained a fractured right femur and ruptured posterior cruciate ligament. The femoral fracture was treated conservatively in traction and healed with a degree of deformity. The posterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed using Gore-Tex in 1988. She...
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31 March 2021
Clarke Willmott successfully settle difficult spinal injury case
CM was on a bouncy castle when he landed awkwardly on his neck. An ambulance was called and he was immobilised at the scene and taken to hospital. The hospital carried out x-rays of his spine which confirmed an L1 fracture which was unfortunately missed by clinicians. He was discharged ...
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3 March 2021
Helping you make a Will: which Will suits you?
Arguably the most important document the average person will sign during their lifetime is a Will; after all, which other document deals with all your assets and decides who will receive them after your death? Many people delay making a Will, perhaps because dying seems too remote an event, or...
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3 March 2021
Successful settlement for surgical injury
Gemma Osgood had recently achieved settlement of a claim where our client’s bowel was injured during a hysterectomy. KP was booked in for a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The operation was carried out on Tuesday 13th February 2018. It was complicated by dense adhesions and the surgeon was unable...
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18 February 2021
“I always told him he needed a good lawyer”
Television drama has been a necessary diversion during these endless winter weeks of lockdown but a series currently showing on Sunday evenings has provided a useful case study in what not to do if you wish to ensure your family is taken care of following your sudden death. “Finding Alice”...
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16 February 2021
Clarke Willmott successfully settle medical negligence claim
MW had a history of depression and self-harm from the age of 12. She had previously taken anti-depressants and her condition was stable. Falling pregnant in late 2016, MW attended her first antenatal appointment at 10 weeks gestation and the pregnancy was deemed low risk. At this first appointment, MW...
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5 February 2021
Clarke Willmott successfully settle fatal accidents claim
Clarke Willmott have recently settled a claim following the death of an 19 year old boy, LW. The claim was brought by LW’s father. At the time of his death, LW had been staying at a respite centre. He had been attending the centre for many years prior to his...
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29 January 2021
A Princely sum: the cost of getting probate valuations wrong
Prince’s estate has generated controversy since his death with reports of long-running family disputes. In the latest development it appears that the estate has fallen foul of the IRS as according to the US revenue authorities the executors have allegedly undervalued the estate by 50%. As a result the IRS...
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27 January 2021
Landowning issues in lockdown
At the time of writing this blog, we find ourselves in the throes of another national lockdown. Lockdown 3.0 has a very different feel to the first, mostly on account of the January weather which has certainly surpassed itself with Storm Christoph being the latest to wreak havoc. Despite the...
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25 January 2021