Sowmya is a Senior Solicitor and Team Leader at Patient Claim Line. Having qualified in 1993, Sowmya completed her initial training in a general practice law firm in Lancashire, before pursuing specialism in personal injury work after qualification, including working at firms in Manchester.

Sowmya has over 27 years’ experience with personal injury and litigation. Her work has included Claimant medical negligence claims, but also extensive Defendant medical and dental negligence claims experience, together with experience of dealing with high value personal injury claims.

Sowmya has experience with regulatory work related to medical professionals, including doctors’ fitness to practice and GMC hearings, and medical practitioners’ tribunal service hearings, including interim orders hearings. She has also represented parties at inquests and has experience of judicial review proceedings.

Having joined Patient Claim Line in 2015, Sowmya leads a team conducting a wide variety of medical negligence claims. She assesses medical negligence claims and creates a plan of action to ensure the case is handled efficiently. Sowmya has been recognised by for her involvement in the training and development of junior colleagues, having received two company awards for her contribution.

Sophie is a Litigation Executive with 8 years medical negligence experience. She acts on behalf of clients and runs a complex, varied caseload of claims worth over £100,000. Sophie handles a wide range of claims including Obstetrics / Gynaecology claims, Cancer claims, Orthopaedic claims, surgical claims, delay in diagnosis claims etc.

She is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for her clients, getting the answers that they deserve and supporting them throughout their claim. It is important to her to build a relationship of trust with her clients, to ensure that they feel listened to and understood, and to hold their hand every step of the way.

Notable Settled cases

SR -v- Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Sophie recently settled this claim for £275,000. This claim related to a negligently performed knee replacement surgery which resulted in her client requiring a revision knee replacement and suffer ongoing pain, suffering, loss of amenity, reduced function and reduced mobility. Her client had to take early retirement from her role as a medical secretary within the NHS as a result of the negligence. It is likely that the client will require a further revision knee replacement in the future as a result of the Defendant’s negligence.

AC -v- St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

She recently settled this claim for £120,000. This claim related to a delay in diagnosing and treating her client’s meniscus tear, which he sustained whilst playing football. By the time the client’s meniscus tear was diagnosed and operated on, the meniscus was no longer repairable, and the only option was to undergo a meniscectomy. Sophie’s client is likely to have to undergo meniscal allograft surgery in the future as a result of the negligence. The client was 16 at the time of the injury / negligence, he was an avid football player and an aspiring Police officer. As a result of the negligence, her client was no longer able to play football and was unable to join the Police force. He therefore suffered a loss of earnings and loss of Police pension.

BS -v- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Sophie settled this claim for £140,000. This claim related to a perforation of her client’s bowel and the failure to identify and repair the perforation at the time of the laparotomy, as well as the negligent removal of a section of the client’s colon. As a result of the negligence, they underwent 6 further, avoidable surgical procedures, an avoidable permanent stoma, an avoidable colectomy and formation of an end ileostomy, an avoidable failed abdominal wall, an avoidable open rectal stump, the avoidable need for VAC therapy, avoidable scarring, an avoidable extended hospital admission (including admission to ITU) and the avoidable need for rehabilitation.

LL -v- Dr Endicott

She settled this claim for £57,000. This claim related to inadequate investigation, treatment and management of her client’s pre-existing periodontal disease and negligent ill-fitting bridgework. These failures caused peri-implant disease (an inflammatory condition affecting the gums), chronic infection and bone loss, which led toto the avoidable removal of 4 implant fixtures, which if adequately managed, were likely to have lasted for the remainder of her lifetime. As a result of the negligence, Sophie’s client experienced pain, suffering and loss of amenity and now requires extensive remedial dental treatment, which will result in further pain and suffering. The treatment will also involve bone grafting and an implant-supported maxillary overdenture.

SC -v- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Sophie settled this claim for £47,500. This claim related to a failure to perform appropriate observations following her client’s coronary angiogram. Sophie’s client suffered compartment syndrome and an avoidable fasciotomy. He underwent an avoidable blood transfusion, two further avoidable procedures including a skin graft, which was taken from my client’s right thigh.  Her client was left with a significantly disfiguring scar on his forearm. This claim was fully denied.

Client feedback

“My case handler Sophie has provided me with exceptional service and has handled my case with a great deal of compassion and sensitivity. From the beginning until now, she has maintained a clear path for communication and has updated me every step of the way, which for me as a client has been reassuring. She has always approached me in a kind and professional manor, explaining thoroughly details that I may not understand. With this case has brought a level of discomfort however Sophie has reduced this and made it easier to go through, therefore I would recommend Fletchers Solicitors to anyone who has gone through similar experience to myself.”

“Our whole experience with Fletchers Solicitors has been excellent. Sophie has been absolutely amazing from beginning to end. Her work on our case has been faultless. She kept us updated at every stage. If we didn’t understand anything she broke it down for us and was always open to questions through email or phone. She has always been very helpful and professional and always had our best interests at heart. We cannot thank her enough for her efforts. Our case has now concluded successfully and we are happy with the outcome. We have absolutely no doubts about recommending this team to anyone and thank Fletchers Solicitors for their help and support.”

“[A previous legal] experience leads me to explain how refreshing it was when you (Sophie) handled my claim. When I first contacted Fletchers, I didn’t really hold out much hope. Like a lot of people, I thought it was just luck of the draw thing, I’d be just a number, going from case handler to case handler. When I first spoke to Sophie, I felt that she was completely behind me one 100%. The patience she showed me during every stage was wonderful. I always felt in safe hands, Sophie is highly knowledgeable and competent.  She seemed to really care and were so approachable.”

“I contacted Fletchers Group feeling helpless! I’d had 4 dental implants on a full denture fitted, only to discover that all 4 implants had become infected, and likely had been infected for some time. They had to be removed! I was fitted with a temporary set of dentures ” to just answer the front door” as the dentist said. I didn’t receive any help from the dentist, they were very sorry but…just try one of those No win, No fee places! That was it! I didn’t really believe that they’d help, thought it was a money-making scheme. So, I contacted Fletchers, and I thank my lucky stars every day that I did. Sophie McGarry gave me hope and restored my faith in fairness. She took my hand and guided me through what was a legal maze to me, with kindness, support and a wealth of knowledge. I always felt in safe hands and Sophie, she was so supportive and approachable, especially through the tougher times. I had regular updates on exactly what was happening throughout the claim. Sophie McGarry won the claim on my behalf, and I can’t thank her enough. Fletchers Group are truly outstanding in my opinion. Thank you all so much. It’s a true account of an exceptional young lady, in my opinion.”

“Fletchers have done an incredible job representing me and got the very best outcome in the circumstances. Sophie was approachable, understanding, empathetic and reliable. Her knowledge and experience was evident throughout the process and I always felt in very safe hands. Thank you for your hard work and support, I would recommend Fletchers to anyone in a similar situation to me”.

Client Feedback

“Sophie was outstanding from start to finish and a real credit to the company can’t speak more highly of her.”

“Sophie has been absolutely exceptional in everything that she has done on my case so far. Brilliant communication”.

“Sophie has been absolutely fantastic and is an absolute asset to Fletchers. Thank you!”

“Since our case has been passed to Sophie, I cannot fault the service we have received. Sophie is committed to getting the best possible outcome for us and has kept us well informed at every stage”.

Peter leads the Medical Negligence Serious Injury department, which now boasts some of our most knowledgeable, dedicated and hardworking team members.

Peter is dedicated to supporting victims of catastrophic medical negligence injuries and endeavours to provide a clear and coherent approach to claims. He recognises the effects serious injuries can have and therefore ensures his customers’ need for support is met. Peter also has a vast amount of experience working with customers who have been injured abroad and is able to act under international law to provide the best outcomes.

Hannah joined our Medical Negligence Department in February 2017, managing with a wide-ranging caseload with a particular interest in fatal claims.

Now, as a Senior Solicitor, Hannah supervises and develops junior members of her team and takes immense pride in delivering excellent client care and establishing a rapport with her clients to provide support throughout the claims process.

Above all, Hannah stands tall as a brilliant example of compassion and professionalism, inspiring many around her to strive for the highest standards of excellence.

Notable Cases

HN (a minor) v University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, 2019: Acting on behalf of her client following a delay in diagnosing Sacral Agenesis. Achieved a settlement of £250,000.

VP [deceased] v Sundridge Developments Ltd, 2019: Acting for her client after a femur fracture so severe that the deceased was bed bound and passed away within 12 months. Achieved a settlement of £40,000 for the estate of deceased.

KL v Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, 2018: Acting on behalf of her client who experienced grade 3-4 pressure ulcers which healed but left client with scarring. As a result of client’s scarring, she suffered moderate depression and PTSD. Achieved a settlement of £85,000.