Natalie Richardson

I’m an Associate and Solicitor within our Clinical Negligence Department, specialising in birth injury cases. I specialise in cerebral palsy cases, and cases involving birth injury concerning neurological injuries.

I also specialise and have significant experience in cases involving psychological distress for the mother following birth injuries or traumatic births.

I’m extremely passionate about birth injury work, as a member of my family suffered cerebral palsy because of clinical negligence. I’m driven by a passion to succeed and obtain the best possible result for my clients and their families, during what can be prolonged and complex cases.

My passion for clinical negligence work, and birth injury work specifically, arose following my own experience of a family member being diagnosed with cerebral palsy following a negligent labour and delivery. Dealing with this injury as a family really made me understand the wide-ranging effect such injuries can have and also showed me the positive impact a personal injury award can have on rehabilitation and quality of life.

I am acutely aware of the impact the case can have on the claimant and the family, and I am keen to get to know them and nurture a strong Solicitor-Client relationship. I strive to visit all my clients at home to develop those relationships and gain an understanding of their day-to-day life and requirements to help build their settlement package.

ANON

This was a very complex stroke case. An admission was obtained and several interim payments were sought and approved by the court at contested hearings. At the outset of the claim, the claimant resided in a residential care home where her rehabilitation had stalled, and she was incorrectly diagnosed with ‘locked in syndrome’. The interim payments allowed us to move the claimant to a rehabilitation centre where she underwent rehabilitation resulting in some small but significant improvements in her mobility that allowed her to communicate using an iPad. We were eventually able to achieve the claimant’s goal of moving into her own home in the community which greatly improved her independence and her quality of life. She has found joy in accessing the community and attending the theatre etc.

My team is a specialist birth injury team with significant experience in these cases. We utilise a team approach to the case that allows matters to be dealt with more efficiently and also ensures there is always someone available for the Claimant to speak to, as and when required.

I have worked at Fletchers for almost a decade. I joined as a newly qualified solicitor and have progressed to a Grade A solicitor, sub team leader and Associate. I have specialised in birth injury since joining Fletchers and have built strong experience and knowledge of the specialism. The cases are complex and often distressing but it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling work that can have a significant impact on a claimant’s quality of life and future.

I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. We enjoy travelling and exploring new destinations.