Sophie Moss

Expertise

• Delays in diagnosis of cancer
• Fatal accidents
• Nursing care
• Gynaecological/Obstetric issues
• Substandard surgery
• Substandard consent cases
• GP negligence
• Brain injury claims
• Orthopaedic and spinal injury
• Vascular injury (including claims involving the development of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis)
• Ophthalmic injury

Key experience

• Instructed on a matter involving a delay in diagnosis of hip dysplasia. The allegations of negligence dated back to the early 1990s. A Letter of Claim was served but a Letter of Response was not received from the Defendant. Proceedings were issued protectively. Breach of duty and causation were subsequently admitted by the Defendant. Steps were taken to quantify the claim, including obtaining expert evidence in the fields of orthopaedics, care and OT, accommodation, employment, pain management, psychiatry and life expectancy. The claim settled for a significant six figure-sum following a Round Table Meeting between the parties.

• Instructed on a matter involving substandard surgical performance which resulted in a section of cannula being retained in X’s external iliac artery. As a result, blood flow to the lower limb was restricted, X suffered severe ischaemia to the leg, extensive rhadomyolysis, renal failure, bone infarction and significant scarring. X has undergone multiple operations and receives ongoing treatment and therapies but continues to live with a permanent disability. The claim is valued in excess of six figures.

• Instructed on a matter involving a two-year delay in diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. It was alleged that a CT scan failed to report the presence of the primary tumour and peritoneal nodules and there was a failure to arrange/perform appropriate investigations thereafter. The Defendant made early admissions in respect of breach of duty and causation and the claim settled for a five-figure sum.

• Instructed on a fatal matter where the deceased suffered cardiac arrest and death following an acute airway obstruction. It was alleged there were several occasions in which earlier treatment would have prevented X’s death. Following service of a Letter of Claim, liability was admitted by the Defendant. The claim included a complex and significant claim for loss of dependency. The claim settled for a significant six-figure sum. Post-settlement, Counsel’s advice was obtained on an appropriate apportionment of damages between X’s Estate and four financial dependents, including two minor beneficiaries. The Court’s approval was required in respect of the apportionment for the minor beneficiaries.

• Instructed on a matter where the consent process prior to a microvascular decompression operation was substandard resulting in total, permanent, one-sided hearing loss. Although the Defendant denied liability, settlement was negotiated for a significant 5-figure sum.

Relevant experience

• Healthcare

Date of qualification

Sophie qualified in 2016.

Professional memberships & accolades

Sophie has recently been recognised as a leading Associate in The Legal 500.

Interests

Sophie is member of the Firm's Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and the Firm's Trainee Recruitment Committee. Sophie studied Zoology at University before converting to law and specialising in clinical and medical negligence upon qualification in 2016. Outside of the office, Sophie lives in the countryside near Barnard Castle and enjoys spending time with her three young children, taking her dog Millie for long walks, and looking after their flock of 12 sheep.