Lucy Macklin Smith

Biography

I am an experienced medical negligence solicitor and have helped people claim in a wide variety of cases including:

• Cosmetic claims
• Dental negligence
• Brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Birth Injuries (mother and baby)
• Bowel and bladder injuries
• Orthopaedic cases including hip and knee replacements, amputations and missed or incorrectly treated fractures
• GP negligence
• Delayed or missed diagnoses of cancer
• Substandard surgery
• Fatal claims
• Product liability

I have developed a particular specialism with dental negligence claims including oral cancer and nerve injury claims. In my role as a senior solicitor, I provide guidance and supervision to junior members of my team.

What Inspired You To Get Into Law?

My grandfather was a radiological oncologist at the Christie Hospital in Manchester so I have always been interested in medicine, but I've wanted to be a solicitor since I attended Manchester Crown Court on an open day whilst at school. I found the entire experience fascinating and was lucky enough to then secure work experience with a local firm of solicitors.

Growing up in Tameside in Greater Manchester when the investigations were going on into the treatment of Dr Harold Shipman piqued my interest in clinical negligence and I have not looked back since.

What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role

I have always had a passion for helping people. Clients approach us for help and guidance during possibly the worse point in their lives. Assisting people who have been avoidably injured through no fault of their own by guiding them through a complicated, lengthy and at times harrowing process with compassion, understanding and expertise is what drives my passion for this area of law.

Being able to secure much-needed compensation for my clients so that they can try to live their lives as best they can with their often severe and life-changing injuries is by far the most rewarding part of my role as a medical negligence solicitor.

What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?

I consider myself extremely fortunate to be working with such a wealth of experienced medical negligence solicitors, many of whom are industry leaders. Irwin Mitchell is also committed to the health and well-being of its staff and to giving something back to the local and national communities through its pro-bono work and charitable foundation.

Client care is at the heart of everything that Irwin Mitchell does and it is a privilege to be a part of such a forward-thinking firm.

What Do You Do Away From The Office?

I am a bit of a book worm and love nothing more than curling up with a good book in front of the fire with a glass of wine and my cats. I have been a keen horse rider from an early age and hope to buy my own horse one day but I am also something of a film and acting buff and have appeared on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.