Success for Clinical Negligence Barrister Sarah Pritchard: VH v York Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Sarah Pritchard successfully represented the Defendant in this clinical negligence action arising from physiotherapy treatment afforded to the Claimant following an Achilles tendon injury. The case centred on the evidence of physiotherapy experts : Rob Swire (ex head of Physiotherapy at Manchester United) for the Claimant and Sara Dickinson for the Defendant. The Judge placed weight upon the fact that in cross examination Swire was compelled to entirely back down from opinions previously expressed. Further, he questioned Swire’s qualification (as a football physiotherapist) to give expert opinion evidence on issues in the case (primarily the interpretation of ultra sound imaging). The Judge was persuaded to prefer the evidence of Dickinson on all matters of dispute between the experts. The Claimant’s claim was dismissed and she was ordered to pay the Defendant’s cost of the action.