The people behind your case: in conversation with Kate McCue

What first drew you to Personal Injury and Medical Negligence law? 

"As a trainee, I completed one seat in Defendant Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence and another in Claimant Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence, and I was hooked. It was interesting to see how a claim was handled from both sides, but ultimately decided to begin my career in claimant work. I particularly enjoyed developing good working relationships with clients and the sense of achievement that came from securing a positive outcome for them." 

What kind of cases do you work on day to day? 

What's different about handling a serious injury claim compared to a more straightforward one? 

‘’In Clinical Negligence, it isn't always about the value of a claim. Sometimes, a relatively low-value case can be incredibly complex when establishing causation and may require evidence from several experts. 

Generally, however, higher-value cases involving serious injuries tend to require multiple experts, sometimes eight or more, to fully understand the impact on someone's life. 

These claims can also take a long time to settle, particularly those involving babies and young children, as they may need to reach a certain level of maturity before medical experts can provide a reliable final prognosis.’’ 

What happens in the weeks after someone instructs you, and what should they expect? 

"Once instructed, we would generally arrange a welcome call with the client to explain the next steps. 

At this early stage, it can be difficult to predict how long a case will take to settle. This depends on several factors, including how long it takes to obtain medical records and expert evidence, whether liability is admitted and the approach taken by the defendant. 

What's something people are often surprised to learn about how Clinical Negligence claims work? 

"The biggest surprise is often how long a claim can take. That's why I believe it's really important to keep clients updated throughout their case and provide realistic timescales for the next steps. 

Where liability has been admitted, we may be able to secure interim payments before the claim settles. These can help fund treatment and rehabilitation whilst the case continues, as well as ease some of the financial difficulties clients may be experiencing, particularly where their ability to work and earn an income has been affected.’’ 

What does a good outcome look like for a client beyond the settlement figure? 

"Although financial compensation is the legal remedy we are seeking in Clinical Negligence claims, sometimes an admission of liability or an apology from the defendant can mean even more to a client. 

People are often deeply affected by what has happened to them, and finding out why something happened or what went wrong can be incredibly important. Having those questions answered can help clients gain a better understanding of their experience and, in some cases, find a sense of peace." 

Is there a particular case that's stayed with you or shaped how you approach your work? 

"There have been many cases that have touched me throughout my career. 

Seeing first-hand how compensation can transform the life of a child with cerebral palsy, by providing access to the treatment, care and equipment they need, is incredibly rewarding. 

Being able to celebrate those moments with clients, seeing the smiles on their faces and sometimes sharing a few tears, is something that has always stayed with me." 

What do you find most rewarding about your job? 

"Definitely the relationships I build with clients. Being able to support them throughout their case and see the difference our work can make is incredibly rewarding. 

From a colleague's perspective, I also really enjoy seeing the development of people within my team, particularly as they build their knowledge, skills and experience." 

How Kate and our Medical Negligence team might be able to help 

Kate's approach centres on building strong relationships with clients, taking the time to understand their experiences and ensuring they feel informed and supported throughout the legal process. 

At Simpson Millar, our Medical Negligence team understands that the impact receiving care below the expected standard of care can extend far beyond physical injuries. Alongside investigating what went wrong and pursuing compensation where appropriate, we recognise how important it can be for clients to receive answers, access rehabilitation and plan for their future. 

If you or someone close to you has been affected by Medical Negligence, our specialist solicitors can discuss your circumstances, explain your legal options and advise on how we may be able to help. 

Call us on 0808 149 9561 for a free, no-obligation claims assessment.