Sarah Pritchard

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Year of Call: 1993

Clinical Negligence & Healthcare Law

Sarah is a clinical negligence specialist. She is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendants in cases of the utmost severity, involving birth damage, brain injuries, serious spinal injuries, orthopaedics, and opthalmics. Sarah has extensive experience of dealing with the complex medical, legal and quantum issues involved in all aspects of clinical negligence work and is well used to managing large teams of experts in the course of such litigation. In her advisory work, Sarah regularly drafts comprehensive and detailed Schedules and Counter Schedules and has successfully conducted countless round table settlement meetings. Sarah has been instructed to act in numerous inquests and has a considerable experience in medical disciplinary tribunals.

Significant Work / Reported Cases

PETER BAILEY v PENNINE ACUTE HOSPITALS TRUST

Acted for the Defendant in this amputation case. Alleged failures to recognise and diagnose early ischaemic changes in the Claimant's lower limb. Claimant persuaded to discontinue against the Defendant.

KARL HUTCHINSON v CHESTERFIELD ROYAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION TRUST

Alleged failure to diagnose a benign brain tumour in a child. Sarah dealt with case throughout and conducted all negotiations with the Claimant's Q.C. at a round table settlement meeting to achieve an excellent settlement for the Defendant.

GMC v PROFESSOR GOODWIN

Sarah acted alone for the GMC in the disciplinary hearing against an eminent microbiologist (who was represented by a Q.C.). The hearing required an understanding of complex clinical negligence issues (surrounding the Professor's work in other cases), difficult procedural matters (the Professor was at the end of his distinguished career and anxious to keep his reputation untarnished) and robust cross examination about the Professor's integrity. Sarah secured a number of findings of dishonesty and the Professor was suspended for 12 months.  

JOHN CAHILL v CHRISTOPHER GORMAN

Acted for the Defendant ophthalmic surgeon who admitted negligent post operative care of the Claimant following surgery to repair a macular hole. As a consequence the Claimant completely lost the sight in his left eye. The Claimant was a reasonably well known artist, with a reputation for detailed painting and claimed significant damages for effectively the loss of his career and his vocation. Complex quantum issues arose  and the matter was successfully compromised by Sarah at a round table joint settlement meeting. 

JOHN TUCKER v EAST LANCS HOPSITALS NHS TRUST

Sarah acts for the Defendant in this action which proceeds on the issue of causation alone. Case relates to delay in diagnosing a subdural haematoma and Sarah has conducted a number of conferences in this matter with neurosurgeons, neurologists and neuropsychologists. The matter is ongoing.

 

Personal Injury

Sarah also has a substantial reputation as a personal injury specialist with particular experience in higher value cases. She is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendants in cases arising from road traffic accidents, accidents at work and claims against Highways Authorities. Sarah is able to deal with the complex medical, legal and quantum issues involved in all aspects of personal injury work and is well used to managing large teams of experts in the course of such litigation. Her trial experience is extensive. In her advisory work, Sarah regularly drafts comprehensive and detailed Schedules and Counter Schedules and has successfully conducted countless round table settlement meetings. 

Significant Work / Reported Cases

ALISON DAVIES & OTHERS v KWIK FIT GB

15 Claimants were involved in a serious road traffic accident on their return from a hen party (all were passengers in a mini bus when the tyre blew). Sarah acted for Defendant in all the claims and was involved in conferences with many experts of different disciplines, settled all counter schedules, conducted interim hearings and round table meetings to conclude all claims well within client's reserve.

JOHN MAYBURY v OLDHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

Sarah acted for the Defendant at the trial of a claim arising from a tripping accident on a defective paving stone. The Claimant contended for significant sums in damages as a consequence of his injuries. At trial, by meticulous cross examination, Sarah succeeded in obtaining a confession from the Claimant's key witness that the entire claim was in fact a fraud. The claim was dismissed and, on Sarah's advice the matter was referred to the appropriate authorities. The Claimant and his witness were sentenced in late 2009 to periods of 9 months and 6 months imprisonment respectively

ANDREW CASSIDY  v CICA

Sarah acted for the victim of a serious crime of violence in this CICA claim. Mr. Cassidy had been assaulted by a Pub bouncer and sustained a significant head injury. He required ongoing care and assistance with all activities of daily living. The Authority had, on a number of occasions, rejected his claim and the claim was pursued to a full hearing. At the hearing Sarah secured the maximum possible award for Mr. Cassidy (£500,000).

 

Recommendations  

Chambers UK 2012:

Sarah Pritchard "enjoys an excellent reputation amongst her peer group, who recommend her for her "superb preparation," "excellent approach to dealing with experts," and "masterful cross-examination skills.

Chambers UK 2011:

"a high-quality operator, who has a particular knack for handling complex birth injury claims. "

Chambers UK:
Sarah Pritchard is commended for producing "straightforward and well thought-through advice." 

"she is very tenacious when she gets the bit between her teeth and argues her cases extremely well"

The "resourceful, quick-thinking" Sarah Pritchard defends authorities in serious psychiatric injury and breach of duty matters.  She also impresses through her regulatory work.

"..endears herself to lawyers and peers alike for her 'robust advocacy' and because 'she fights hard for her clients'.  One interviewee described her as 'one of the most accomplished juniors on the circuit'."

"Another favourite is the "robust" Sarah Pritchard. She can "really give the experts a grilling".

Legal 500:

"Sarah Prtichard is praised for her 'technical ability, interpersonal skills and good bedside manner'"

"birth injury specialist 'knows how to question an expert witness' in complex cases"

"is a very strong junior in complex and severe cases"

"Sarah Pritchard has a busy catastrophic injury practice"

"Sarah Pritchard has moved up a gear in catastrophic injury work".

 

Memberships:

Personal Injuries Bar Association
Committee member of the Northern Circuit Medical Law Association
Northern and North Eastern Circuit

 

Career & Education

University:            Manchester

Degree:                LLB (Hons) Lydia Kemp Scholarship and RG Lawton Prize

Year of Call:         1993 (Gray's Inn) Junior scholarship     

Joined Chambers: 1994