Rachael Heyes is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Clinical Negligence Department and helps people who have suffered serious injuries due to medical negligence, or the families of people who have died, to secure compensation.
Specialising in the field of medical negligence since she qualified as a solicitor in 2018, Rachael deals with a wide range of cases of varying complexity and has successfully settled a vast number. Cases include birth and neonatal injury claims, delays in diagnosis of cancer, vision loss and claims under the Fatal Accidents Act.
Recent compensation settlements Rachael has obtained for patients and families include:
- £684,000 for the family of a women who died due to hospital failures
- £450,000 for a woman whose cancer was misdiagnosed
- £100,000 for a woman whose baby was stillborn due to maternity failures
- £110,000 for man who suffered a loss of vision due to delayed treatment
Rachael has particular expertise in representing families at inquest. She has guided many families through the inquest process, helping them to ensure that their questions and concerns are addressed. On a number of occasions, Rachael’s work for these families has helped to ensure a finding that their loved one’s death was contributed to by the neglect of medical staff.
Notable inquest cases Rachael has dealt with include:
- A finding of neglect obtained at an inquest concerning the death of a baby at 10 days old due to failures to recognise the early signs of sepsis.
- A finding of neglect at an Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights jury inquest following the absconsion of a patient from hospital who went on to commit suicide.
- A finding of neglect obtained in a case concerning the death of a baby who died as a result of failings in the monitoring of her condition due to alarms being turned off.
Rachael has regularly provided commentary to the media following inquest. In addition to managing her own case load, Rachael provides support and assistance on complex high value brain and spinal injury cases.
Rachael studied law at Manchester Metropolitan University, obtaining a first-class honours degree. She subsequently went on to study the Legal Practice Course at the same institution, gaining a distinction.
With strong links to cancer support charity Sam’s Diamonds, supporting this organisation has become a key focus area for Rachael. In 2024 Rachael organised a fundraising event for the charity that saw her and other solicitors from the JMW Clinical Negligence Department complete a night-time climb of Mount Snowden, raising £1,675.
Outside of work Rachael enjoys reading, baking, and taking part in charity runs.