What is the role of a Medico Legal Assistant?

man dialing on phone

As a qualified nurse working in the Clinical Negligence team it is likely that I will be the first person in the team that you speak with when you get in touch with Brindley Twist Tafft and James to discuss a potential claim.  It is my role to listen to people, to find out about their situation, to ask appropriate questions and to obtain the specific details surrounding their medical negligence complaint.

I know that patients who contact us about medical negligence are going through a traumatic time and that it can be difficult to speak to someone about what has happened.  It is very important that our clients and potential clients know that they are really being listened to and taken seriously;  I will always do everything that I can to support the people that I speak with, and to reassure them that their concerns are genuine.  People are often unsure if they have a case that can be pursued so we will work together to determine whether they do.

During our initial conversation with new clients I will ask questions about times, places and the events that took place.  Because of my extensive medical training and experience (12 years’ experience as a nurse working across a variety of medical settings including Emergency Care, Critical care and Community) I am able to quickly understand the medical details involved when people are describing the events that led them to get in touch with us.

Once I am content that I have obtained all of the relevant information, it is my role to present the facts of each potential case to the rest of the team.  Together we will go through what has happened and discuss how we can help you.

If we are able to help you pursue a claim, one of our specialist lawyers will be in touch to arrange an interview with you, which will normally take place in person.  This will include going through the background facts in detail as well as explaining the legal process.  One of the first steps after the interview is for us to obtain your medical records.  Once the records have been received, I use my medical training to help collate the records into a sensible order and to prepare a chronology of the key events.

Because many medical negligence cases are highly complex, we will often also instruct independent medical experts in the relevant field to assess your case and provide a formal report.

The team prides itself on obtaining the best possible settlements for all of our clients, as well as providing support throughout the whole process.

 

If you have any questions about medical negligence then  please get in touch to see how we can help.

 

John Snowdon

BTTJ Medico Legal Assistant