It is important to our work that Pearson Hinchliffe’s medical negligence team is made up of legally and medically qualified staff. We act only for patients and have a friendly empathetic professional approach designed to establish the strength of the case at the earliest possible time.

Our in-house medical expertise enables us to provide early, authoritative advice on the chances of the claim succeeding.

We believe it important that our clients have a reliable explanation for what, if anything went wrong in their care in all cases. We work to recover the best possible compensation in all appropriate cases.

We believe that a responsible clinical negligence department can help improve the standard of healthcare provision and enjoy a dialogue with all health care providers to share experiences in the hope of driving up standards.

MEET THE TEAM

John Pollitt - Partner and Head of Medical Negligence Department
e-mail: john.pollitt@pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk
Telephone - 0161 785 3500

Accreditation AvMA Lawyers Referral Panel 1999.

John qualified as a solicitor in 1981 and has been a partner with the firm since 1983. He has headed the Clinical Negligence Department since 1999. He was educated at Oldham Hulme Grammar School and attended Liverpool University and lives locally.

John was born in 1957. He is married with three children saves as a Deacon for Springhead Congregational Church and is the weakest link in an otherwise competent rock group.

Matthew Cox - Partner and Head of Personal Injury Department
e-mail: matthew.cox@pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk

Matthew is a solicitor and partner in the firm. He is a Deputy Coroner for North East Manchester.

He is married with three children and lives in Rochdale. He has been involved in clinical negligence work since the year 2000.

Matthew is also involved in high value personal injury claims.

Cath Sykes - Qualified Nurse and Adviser
e-mail: cath.sykes@pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk

Cath is a qualified nurse with experience in general orthopaedic and community nursing in the NHS since 1967. Between 1989 and 2003 she worked in a variety of senior management roles within the NHS.

In 1996 she was appointed to the post of Risk and Claims Manager in a local NHS Trust. This was the first such appointment in the North West.

In April 2003 Cath joined Pearson Hinchliffe’s clinical negligence team and works as a claims investigator.

She was born on 1950 and has lived locally since 1977.

In 1998 Cath was awarded a Diploma in Risk and Claims Management.

Janet Dunkerley - Qualified Nurse and Adviser
e-mail: janet.dunkerley@pearson-hinchliffe.co.uk

Janet has extensive nursing experience in ophthalmology, midwifery, general nursing and also as a theatre nurse. Between June 2006 and January 2007 she was the head nurse on the Flying Eye Hospital responsible for the nursing team covering all aspects of ophthalmic care. The service was provided to under developed parts of the world.

Janet’s role is to meet clients at first interview, research medical issues, assist with complaints and to investigate cases. She brings a wealth of experience to the department with a friendly sensitive approach.