Express Solicitors News

Rachel Flannigan Appointed Member Of Law Society's Personal Injury Panel

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:41:00 BST

Rachel Flannigan of Express Solicitors, Manchester, has been made a member of The Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel. Only solicitors who demonstrate a high level of expertise in Personal Injury Law are appointed to the panel.

Rachel, who heads up the Road Traffic Accident team at Express Solicitors, said: “I am very happy to have made it onto the Panel as it shows my hard work over the last 7 – 8 years has paid off, and I have been recognised by my governing body for my ability to not only deal with claims competently, but also to provide a high standard of service.”

Accreditation scheme members are scrutinised in areas such as client care, knowledge, record keeping and in their contact with clients. At least three years’ experience is necessary to apply, yet merely having the experience is not always enough to earn a position on the panel.

“The criteria for making it onto the panel are very stringent and make it very hard to become a member and therefore I feel this is my biggest achievement since qualifying in 2005.”

Express Solicitors is delighted with Rachel’s achievement, as it is just reward for the continuing effort and commitment she has shown since joining the firm in 2004.

When choosing an independent personal injury solicitor, along with Association Of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) accreditation, membership of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel illustrates that a solicitor demonstrates the highest practices in the industry.

“I can now explain to client’s both existing and potential that I am a member of the panel and this reflects the high level of experience, knowledge and client care they can expect to receive and this gives them confidence in me as their solicitor”, added Rachel.

Rachel Flannigan is the fifth solicitor practising at Express Solicitors who have received this accreditation, which is a remarkable achievement considering the relatively low number of solicitors in the Manchester area who are on the panel. Managing partner James Maxey, senior partner Robin Patey, partner Daniel slade and senior solicitor Sharon Denby complete the quintet.

Express Solicitors Increases Stake in Injury Lawyers 4 U

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:20:00 BST

Express Solicitors have significantly increased their stake in the Injury Lawyers 4 U scheme (IL4U). They have expanded on their budget, taking their contribution up to almost £500,000 per year.

It’s an increase of more than 50% and reflects a period of rapid expansion for the Manchester based firm, with the recent creation of a new partner Daniel Slade and further, ongoing office expansion.

IL4U is a hugely successful scheme, distributing personal injury claims to its members on a rota system. Contributing firms pay for slots on the rota.
It’s the leading brand within the personal injury claim industry, with successful nationwide television advertising fronted by actor Billy Murray.

The genius of the scheme is that it connects the public with specialist, personal injury lawyers quickly, ensuring their claim is dealt with speedily and effectively. All firms accepted into the scheme have a wealth of experience and expertise.

Margaret Bailey-Tsavalas accepted as Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 12:20:00 BST

Margaret Bailey-Tsavalas of personal injury specialists Express Solicitors has become one of only 25 North West lawyers to be accepted as a Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

The senior litigation advisor, who has over 30 years experience of dealing with complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases, joins a select group of only 167 APIL Fellows throughout the UK.

Denise Kitchener, chief executive of APIL, extended her congratulations to Margaret. “Margaret’s achievement is a reflection of her commitment and dedication to people who have been injured through no fault of their own. I’m delighted that we have been able to recognise her hard work, and congratulate her on achieving the status of Fellow.”

The Fellowship is part of an accreditation scheme run by APIL, which assesses and gives accreditation to personal injury lawyers according to their expertise and experience. Acceptance as a Fellow of APIL recognises Margaret as an experienced practitioner, able to demonstrate a high level of expertise and recognised by her peers as being in a position of professional and intellectual leadership in the field of personal injury law.

To become a Fellow of APIL, a personal injury expert must have over ten years experience of conducting personal injury litigation and a commitment to sharing their knowledge and awareness outside of the firm.

APIL members are bound to abide by a code of conduct and consumer charter.

Managing partner at Express Solicitors, James Maxey said: “Being accepted as a Fellow of APIL is a great achievement for Margaret and also reflects very well on the firm. Like APIL, we are committed to employing personal injury experts who are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured people.

“Margaret has a long and varied career in which she has dealt sensitively and sympathetically with amputees, paraplegics, severe brain injuries and fatal accidents, bringing such cases the justice they deserve. We are proud to have her as part of our team and delighted her remarkable achievements have been recognised by APIL”.

Keen to emphasise the benefit of being part of an accredited quality scheme for personal injury lawyers, Margaret says, “APIL ensures its members are trained to the very highest standards and fights for full and just compensation for victims of personal injury, it’s an honour to be part of this important organisation”.

Margaret joined Express Solicitors over two years ago from AST Hampsons in Rochdale where she held the position of senior litigation advisor for seven years. Prior to this Margaret has also worked at other law firms including Pannone and Fentons Solicitors.

Express Solicitors comprises over 50 employees including three partners and 24 fee earners. The firm specialises in personal injury and accident claims, medical and clinical negligence claims and serious injury claims.

Daniel Slade Promoted to Express Solicitors Partner

Tue, 2 Mar 2010 15:32:00 GMT

Daniel Slade has been made a partner at personal injury specialists, Express Solicitors.

At Express Solicitors, Daniel also deals with the more unusual and complex cases handled by the firm, such as horseriding accidents and injuries sustained on trains, planes and boats, as well as specialising in public liability and occupiers liability cases. He is also dealing with many 'toxic sofa' cases involving clients suing Argos and other large furniture suppliers for selling defective sofas, which have caused injury to consumers after allegedly being contaminated with chemicals applied to their surface.

Daniel has been recognised by APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) with whom he has gained Senior Litigator status and the Law Society with whom he is recognised as a Law Society Personal Injury Accreditation scheme member (PI panel).

The 29 year old will continue to work alongside managing partner, James Maxey and senior partner Robin Patey at Express Solicitors offices on Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester. Daniel said: "Express Solicitors has taught me a lot since I started as a paralegal in 2003. It's taken a lot of hard work but I'm delighted to have been made a partner at a firm which has recognised my commitment and promotes organic growth.

"Everyone at the firm is focussed on helping their clients not only get compensation for the pain and suffering they have endured, but also on getting their life back on track through rehabilitation and I enjoy being part of this."

Managing partner James Maxey said: "Daniel will continue to play a key role in developing our personal injury team, which services clients both locally and nationally. For seven years he has been a dedicated member of our team and we believe his promotion reflects our ongoing commitment to employing the best solicitors possible and recognising their achievements."

Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:38:00 GMT

Clinical negligence expert expects further flurry of claims following Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust inquiry report

An independent inquiry report that found patients at Stafford Hospital suffered distress and unimaginable suffering could lead to hundreds more clinical negligence claims against Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Margaret Bailey-Tsavalas, a senior litigation expert at Express Solicitors explains: “The inquiry into the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust has highlighted a series of hospital blunders, which have caused many people to die needlessly or to suffer.

“In many people’s eyes, the inquiry hasn’t gone far enough and there have been calls for a public inquiry. With the report bringing back painful memories for patients and relatives, there is likely to be a significant amount of further clinical negligence claims against the Trust for the pain and suffering endured by patients and their families.”

The inquiry reported that the Trust had become target driven and cost-cutting. This meant staffing levels were low and it led to the poor treatment of patients who were ‘routinely neglected’ and left ‘sobbing and humiliated’.

Patients were said to have been lying in soiled beds and the inquiry heard of relatives having to take sheets home to wash themselves. It was reported that patients developed infections, were left unwashed and suffered falls – some fatal – when they were left alone.

“Cases like these are very sensitive and it essential that patients or relatives of patients who wish to make a claim use a specialist clinical negligence lawyer, who will uncover evidence to support their individual case,” continues Margaret.

“At Express Solicitors we work with some of the most eminent experts in the country to help bring clinical negligence cases on a no win, no fee basis. The patients and families of patients who have died or suffered due to the poor care or treatment offered by the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, between January 2005 to March 2009, could claim compensation.

“If you think you might be eligible to make a claim, all you have to do is give us a call in the first instance for free legal advice.”