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Sarah Coles

Partner
Link to LinkedIn profile Link to Twitter account
How can I help?
0370 1500 100
Key Details 0370 1500 100 How can I help?

Biography

I qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and am now head of the medical negligence team in Leeds. I have always specialised in medical law handling an array of cases involving cerebral palsy, cauda equine, Erbs Palsy, amputation and sepsis issues amongst others.

I have obtained over £60million in damages for clients and families, but realise its not just a matter of obtaining damages but helping clients get answers as to what happened and support their rehabilitation. To many this is far more important than the award of damages.

My clients and their objectives for pursuing cases are my primary concern.

Testimonials

"[She has] created a team that consistently succeeds in getting impressive settlements over a spectrum of cases, but particularly in higher value brain injury, genetic birth injury and oncology cases." – Legal 500, 2021

"She fights fiercely for her clients while effortlessly combining a compassionate relationship with a high degree of pragmatism." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual – Band 3)

"She is an efficient and pragmatic lawyer who gets the job done, but she is also a delightful person who is a pleasure to work with and has huge empathy with her clients." - Chambers & Partners, 2019

"Sensible, empathetic and highly effective in all her dealings with clients and opponents alike." - Chambers & Partners, 2018 

"Very experienced" - Legal 500, 2017

"Sarah Coles and her team have been extremely supportive from day one of the process. Sarah has advised clearly every step of the way and kept us up to date with all reports and meetings with specialists in respect of our case. Sarah has been extremely empathetic and accessible throughout and we are very grateful to have her representation." - 5* Trustpilot review

"Throughout the process of my clinical negligence claim, Sarah and her team of Katie Warner and Tracy Tai, have been superb. All of my questions in relation to the care and treatment Pam received in hospital were answered by the brilliant experts that were employed to do the investigations. I have recently been offered and received a very substantial compensation as a result of all the hard work carried out by Sarah and her team." - 5* Trustpilot review

"Sarah Cole and her team have been so supportive throughout our 8.5 years of working with them. We have been kept up to date at all times and they have listened to us regarding concerns and issues. They have been like part of our family. We have appreciated all the hard work they have done towards our sons case and know we have been in good hands regarding their expertise and knowledge. We would recommend Irwin Mitchell Leeds to anyone in our situation." - 5* Trustpilot review

"Sarah Coles was my first point of contact and has been right though until the end of the court case. I cannot thank Sarah Coles and Irwin Mitchell enough for everything they have done for our son and my family.

"Sarah is a very experienced solicitor who put me at ease and instantly gained my trust. She showed compassion and understanding to not only to our son but also to us as a family." - Danielle Gough, client (read full 5* Trustpilot review)

"Sarah Coles has been our solicitor for the last 7 years and was very successful in settling our case. It had been a very difficult time for all the family throughout what was a very long and arduous time but throughout Sarah worked above and beyond, was a true professional, and always put our interests first.

"Sarah's compassion, insight and empathy were second to none and she is in herself an amazing role model to everyone around her. I would not hesitate to recommend Sarah and her team to anyone who finds themselves requiring their services." - Julie, client

"Irwin Mitchell pursued a medical negligence case for my daughter's birth and we had full support all the way from Sarah Coles and the team. I feel that the company go that extra mile to always keep you informed of progress. My family and I are more than happy with the services that were provided throughout the case - we would definitely use Irwin Mitchell again and would also recommend to others." - Stacey Keira Perkins, client

What Inspired You To Get Into Law?

From a very young age I either wanted to be a policewoman or a lawyer as I wanted to help others and stop injustice. I chose Law as an A Level and loved it, so went on to study at Hull University and never looked back.

What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?

It is often difficult to prove a successful claim in the complex area of medical law and not all cases successfully recover damages. However, what is often more rewarding is helping families understand what happened and to reassure them it wasn’t their fault, they couldn’t have done more.

In those cases where there is an award of damages, it is amazing to see lives change and even little changes make huge differences. I have been contacted recently by a former client who was 9 years of age at the time of his case. 14 years on, he found me and wrote to me to say he is studying law because 'it is heart-warming to know you have continued to help families obtain both answers and compensation and I went into the law to help others in the way you helped me, I shall be forever grateful'. This is why I do the work I do - for my clients.

What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?

Irwin Mitchell is a superb firm with extremely talented people. I am very lucky to be surrounded by genuinely lovely people who all excel in their field and I am honoured to now head the Leeds medical negligence department. The fact that Irwin Mitchell is also dedicated to supporting local and national charities such as KIDS, UK Sepsis Trust, Jorvik Warriors Power Chair Football team, West Yorkshire CANN, Cauda Equina Syndrome Association and SNAPS is so important to me and it makes all the hard work so worthwhile.

What Do You Do Away From The Office?

I love being with my friends and family and enjoy lots of sports and happy to take part in extreme activities such as sky diving, bungee, scuba diving etc often for charity as well as fun! I lost my nephew who was 22 as a result of depression and so now work closely with MIND and other mental health charities to raise funds, recently completing the London Marathon raising over £5000 for Heads Together and MIND.

My main love is football and I am an ardent Norwich City supporter which has its own challenges!

Cases I've Been Involved With

  • Inspirational Recovery For Former Policeman With Multiple Amputations After Negligent Sepsis Treatment
  • Multi-Million Pound Settlement For Young Woman With Cerebral Palsy
  • Multi-Million Pound Settlement Following Negligent Delivery
  • Compensation For Teenager With Erbs Palsy From Birth Injury
  • Settlement For Woman After Suffering From A Stroke During Pregnancy
  • Five-Figure Sum For Victim Of Inappropriate Breast Cancer Surgery
  • £75,000 Compensation For Delayed Diagnosis And Treatment Of Cervical Cancer
  • Parents Of Still Born Baby Claim Compensation From Hospital That Failed Them
  • Girl Suffering Appendicitis Left Undiagnosed And Untreated For 12 Days
  • Tragic Death Of 66 Year Old Man After Misdiagnosis
  • Successful Claim For Damages Brought Against Airedale NHS Trust For Untreated Fracture
  • £105,000 Compensation for Gallstone Operation Resulting in Bile Leak and Sepsis
  • Out Of Court Settlement For Post Operative Bleed During Caesarean Section
  • Delay In Diagnosis Of Kidney Cancer

Read My Comments On The Latest News

  • 08/08/2018
    Scarborough Disability Sports Club Gets Equipment Boost Thanks To Law Firm's Donation

    “Through our work we have seen how disability sport initiatives and Boccia can make a huge difference to people’s lives, not only increasing their physical activity but also giving them a chance to socialise and meet new people. “Scarboccia does important work in the Scarborough area and we are delighted to provide the organisation with support as it looks to promote the benefits that Boccia can offer. We would like to wish the club all of the best for the future.”

    Continue Reading
  • 08/08/2018
    Yorkshire Lawyers Come Together With Local Hull Charity For Fundraiser

    “We see first-hand the fantastic work that CASE do and we are proud to regularly support their events that help showcase this. “I’ve got a feeling their 2018 Gala Dinner is going to be no exception, and I am looking forward to being able to get back to supporting the charity on the night. “As well as the superb entertainment, the night will also be a chance for people to learn every little thing about the great care and support that CASE provides for local people with learning disabilities, here, there, everywhere.”

    Continue Reading
  • 30/07/2018
    Leeds Powerchair Football Club Gets Funding Boost From National Law Firm

    “Through our work we have seen the incredible physical and psychological benefits that disability sport and being active in general can have on lives. “Leeds Powerchair FC is a fantastic organisation and we are delighted to give them a helping hand with this grant. The club does truly fantastic work and we wish everyone involved all of the best for the future.”

    Continue Reading
  • 13/07/2018
    Para Ice Hockey Champions Go Undefeated To Retain Title

    “Since our sponsorship was announced, I’ve become the Kestrels number one fan. “I am always in awe at the talent and skill levels of the team when I watch them train and it will be fantastic to see them get their title defence underway. “Through our work we have seen on numerous occasions how sport has been able to help our clients with rehabilitation following serious injury. Unfortunately, while there are over 12 million people with disabilities in the UK, only one in six actually takes part in sport regularly. “I would urge anyone who has an interest in ice hockey to go along and watch the Kestrels and offer them your support as they now go into the playoffs!”

    Continue Reading

SUPPORTING INFO

    • Expertise In
      • Cancer Claims
      • Cauda Equina Syndrome Claims
      • Cerebral Palsy
      • Charity & Philanthropy
      • Diabetes
      • Fatal Claims & Inquests
      • General Medical Problems
      • Hospital Negligence Claims
      • Medical Negligence
      • Personal Injury Compensation
      • Personal Legal Services
      • Sepsis Negligence Claims
      • Surgery Claims
    • Office Locations
      • Leeds
    • Awards
    • APIL fellow
    • Memberships
      • Member of the AVMA specialist Clinical Negligence Panel
      • Accredited APIL clinical Negligent Specialist and APIL Assessor
      • Member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Scheme

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