Lauren Hall has been appointed to lead Hay & Kilner’s growing clinical negligence team. From their offices in Newcastle, the medical negligence team are one of the largest and top ranking teams in the North East and are known for their extensive expertise handling a broad variety of clinical negligence claims.
The team has been repeatedly recognised in ‘The Times’ Best Law Firm Awards and the fact that the majority of their clients are referred by other solicitors and professionals is testament to their reputation. Experts in their field, Lauren and the clinical negligence team pride themselves on their personable approach, expertise in both law and medicine and always going the extra mile for their clients.
The team’s strength lies in its diverse skill set, working across a broad range of medical fields, providing a positive holistic and cohesive experience for the client together with tailored support ensuring that every client receives the focused and dedicated attention they deserve.
Lauren undertakes cases in all areas of medicine and has specialist experience in inquest work regularly representing families in the Coroner’s Court. She’s experienced in handling a broad variety of clinical negligence claims and has a particular interest in gastro-intestinal, orthopaedic and accident and emergency cases, together with extensive experience in claims involving GP care.
On taking the position as Head of Clinical Negligence, Lauren explains:
‘’My goal is for the team to continue to provide a high quality service for our clients, ensuring they get answers about what has gone wrong with their care and, of course, appropriate compensation to ensure they can lead the best life they can lead despite their medical accident. It can often be a daunting experience to challenge care provided by medical professionals and we support and assist our clients in asking the right questions to help clients understand what has gone wrong. We bring empathy, integrity, and legal expertise when it’s needed most.’’
Lauren, who hails from Newcastle and studied at Northumbria University joined Hay & Kilner as a trainee solicitor, before qualifying into the department. She’s worked her way up the ranks, becoming a partner in 2022. Here she shares more about her career journey and passion for wellbeing and creating a great place to work.
‘’I have always wanted to be involved in clinical negligence and was attracted to Hay & Kilner due to their reputation in the field. Medical negligence is a fascinating but demanding area of law. I’ve watched the team grow over the last 15 years and feel privileged to be leading us into the future. I’m committed to our team’s development and look forward to expanding and nurturing new talent.
‘’As Co-Chair of the firm’s Employee Wellbeing Committee, I’m committed to providing an open, inclusive and engaging work environment as our people truly are our biggest strength and most valuable asset. We are proud of our down to earth and supportive nature with colleagues, and are dedicated to promoting equality and diversity and policies that fully support all of our employees. We achieved the Bronze Better Health at Work Award last year and are working towards the silver award this year.’’
Lauren is Vice President and Treasurer of The Women Lawyers Division North East, dedicated to supporting the needs of women lawyers in and around the North East. The organisation celebrates its ten year anniversary in 2025 and Lauren has played an integral role in its growth and success over the last decade.
If you would like to discuss concerns regarding medical care you or a loved one has received or would like to discuss referring a potential client to us, get in touch.
Everyone knows that early, and prompt, diagnosis and treatment of cancer gives a patient the best chance of survival. However, doctors or other medical professionals sometimes make mistakes and may diagnose your symptoms too late. This can result in your cancer spreading, making it more difficult to treat and can result in a reduced prognosis and life expectancy
Sight is often considered to be one of the most important senses we have and, when it is affected, reduced, or lost altogether, this has a major impact on a person’s everyday life. Injuries arising out of negligent ophthalmic treatment can therefore be significant and you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Your GP, or GP practice, is often the first place you go to when you have a medical problem. For example GPs are responsible for considering potential diagnoses, treating your symptoms (where possible), and/or arranging and referring you for tests, specialist care and appropriate treatments. There are multiple opportunities for things to go wrong, or mistakes to be made which can result in all sorts of injuries ranging from minor to severe.
The care provided by nurses, either in hospital or at home in the community, and the care provided in a care home environment is wide ranging and there is a huge scope for things to go wrong and for mistakes to occur. If you have suffered an injury as a result of nursing negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a nurse or other healthcare practitioner whilst primarily under the care of a nursing team, you may be entitled to compensation.
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are not only involved in the care of pregnant women, labour and childbirth, but also provide care and treatment to women for a range of other symptoms and conditions. Mistakes can occur at any time and, if you have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by an obstetrician or gynaecologist, you may be entitled to compensation.
Orthopaedic care covers a range of conditions and treatments involving bones, joints, ligaments and tendons, to name a few. Mistakes can occur at any time and, if you have suffered injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
During pregnancy, an expectant mother is treated by a range of practitioners they may not have come across before such as gynaecologists and midwives. Everyone deserves the best care during their pregnancies and labour but, sometimes mistakes occur, and injuries can happen. If you have suffered an injury as a result of negligence during your pregnancy or labour, you may be entitled to compensation.
Sepsis is a disease, sometimes known as septicaemia or blood poisoning. Meningitis is a disease which causes inflammation of the membranes in your brain. Both are potentially life-threatening conditions. Due to their potential severity, it is crucial that sepsis and meningitis are diagnosed and treated as early as possible. If you suffered from sepsis or meningitis and feel it was misdiagnosed or there was a delay in diagnosis/treatment, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Spinal injuries can develop very quickly and have devastating effects on a patient’s life and that of their family and friends. If you have suffered a spinal injury as a result of medical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
Operations should always be performed to an appropriate standard of care and surgical technique. However, mistakes can happen during any operation and can cause you unnecessary pain and suffering. If you have suffered an injury as a result of surgical negligence i.e. because of a mistake made by a doctor, surgeon, or other healthcare practitioner, you may be entitled to compensation.
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‘Hay & Kilner’ and ‘Hay & Kilner Law Firm’ are both trading names of Hay & Kilner LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number OC418767. Our registered office is at The Lumen, St James' Boulevard, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5BZ and we are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Authorisation number 643191). We use the word ‘partner’ to refer to a member of Hay & Kilner LLP. A list of the members is available at our registered office.