The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
Call: 2017
Susanna Bennett’s practice centres upon (a) medical negligence in civil and coronial proceedings and (b) duty of care claims brought against employers, occupiers, surveyors, land-owners, conveyancers, solicitors, highway authorities, education authorities and more.
She has a particular interest in the factual circumstances in which healthcare providers owe patients a non-delegable duty of care, being the intersection of these two fields.
She is a versatile medical negligence practitioner, acting for both claimants and defendants in civil claims, and principally for NHS trusts and other healthcare providers in inquests. She is adept at gaining the confidence of clinicians and patients alike and appreciates the differing perspective they have on proceedings. She has experience in working with severely injured litigants. She works hard to ensure that all parties feel engaged in a case and are involved in the decision-making process.
Susanna is a strong advocate. She has a track record of achieving excellent outcomes, both at trial and in settlement negotiations. She is focused and effective. She is highly numerate, a skill which distinguishes her when dealing with quantum in high value claims.
Susanna regularly represents claimants and defendants in medical negligence proceedings, and has been instructed in cases alleging delayed diagnosis (of cancer and stroke), negligent surgery, failure to diagnose heart attack, failure to obtain informed consent (for major operations including implantation of an ICD and a hysterectomy), proceeding with surgery despite hypertensive crisis, and more.
She was recently instructed for the Defendant, led by Ed Bishop QC, in the case of Traylor and Traylor v Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership Trust [2022] EWHC 260 (QB). The Judge rejected claims in negligence and under the Human Rights Act arising from a stabbing caused by a psychotic episode after the First Claimant was discharged from mental health services.
Susanna acted for a Claimant, led by Laura Johnson QC, who had sustained life-changing injuries after a failure to diagnose her with a stroke and provide thrombolysis treatment. She focused on quantification of the claim, drafting a Schedule (seeking damages of over £5,000,000), advising on quantum evidence, speaking to the experts, and drafting agendas. The claim ultimately settled for a 7-figure sum.
She is currently instructed for a healthcare provider in a medical negligence claim seeking an 8-figure sum in damages in the High Court. She is instructed in numerous medical negligence claims proceeding in the High Court and County Court.
Susanna has appeared in multiple inquests, with and without a jury, for NHS trusts and other healthcare providers. Of note, she has recently represented:
She is adept at making submissions as to what conclusions are open to a Coroner (bearing in mind the causation evidence) and as to the need to make a reg. 28 prevention of future deaths report. She consistently achieves the best possible outcome for clients.
Susanna regularly represents local authorities and NHS trusts being sued in civil claims as occupiers, employers and highway authorities.
She has successfully defended claims against employers in respect of slips and trips, physical training, patient assaults, manual handling, and more. She recently acted for the successful Defendant in a claim brought against an NHS trust by an employee who was allegedly attacked by a patient following an epileptic fit. Over £200,000 was sought as the Claimant was medically retired due to trauma. The claim was dismissed.
Susanna acts for claimants in claims arising from infestations of Japanese knotweed, in particular against neighbouring land owners, surveyors and vendors.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. To see my privacy notice click here.
