Leena Savjani

With over 20 years specialising exclusively in medical negligence, I have acted in a wide range of complex and high-value cases, including claims involving catastrophic brain injury, birth injury, spinal injury, amputation and avoidable deaths.

Some of my cases have resulted in multi-million-pound settlements for clients with lifelong care and rehabilitation needs, including settlements valued at £30 million and £26 million for children who sustained significant brain injuries, and a settlement of £8.8 million for a young man with cerebral palsy in a case where liability was strongly contested.

I have also acted for families seeking answers following the death of a loved one. One case that particularly stays with me is that of Ebow Graham, a founding member of the music group Foreign Beggars, who died following failings in mental health care. As well as securing a settlement and admissions that the duty of care had been breached, it was incredibly important to his family that the circumstances of his death were properly understood and that lessons were learned.

For me, a notable case isn’t necessarily the one with the largest settlement or the highest public profile. It’s one where we have been able to make a meaningful difference to somebody’s life.

I start by listening. By the time someone comes to see me, they may have been through an incredibly traumatic experience and can feel overwhelmed by both what has happened and the prospect of taking legal action. I want my clients to understand that they do not have to navigate that process alone.

From a legal perspective, I am meticulous and strategic. I work with leading medical experts, barristers and rehabilitation professionals, and think carefully about what we need to do at every stage to put my clients in the strongest possible position. In cases involving serious injury, I also look at what support can be put in place as early as possible rather than simply focusing on the eventual conclusion of the claim.

But achieving the best outcome is about more than compensation. I take time to understand what a client wants from the process. That might include answers about what went wrong, an apology, access to treatment or rehabilitation, financial security for the future, or reassurance that lessons will be learned.

I’m very open with my clients. I’ll explain the strengths and difficulties of a case, give clear advice and never shy away from difficult conversations. My job is to take as much of the burden from them as I can while making sure that they remain informed and involved in the decisions that affect them.

First and foremost, you can expect me to listen.

You don’t need to arrive knowing the legal terminology or having everything in perfect chronological order. I know that talking about what has happened can be difficult, particularly when someone is dealing with a serious injury, bereavement, or a traumatic experience involving their own or their child’s medical care.

I’ll give you the time and space to tell me what happened, in your own words. I’ll ask questions to help me understand the medical treatment you received, what your concerns are, and how what happened has affected you and your family.

I’ll then explain, in straightforward language, whether I think there may be a potential claim, what further information we may need, and what the next steps are likely to be. I will also answer any questions you have about the legal process, timescales and funding.

There’s no expectation that you should understand how a medical negligence claim works before you speak to me – that’s my job. My aim is that you leave our first conversation feeling listened to, with a clearer understanding of your options and what happens next.