Helen Dolan

Helen Dolan is Joint Head of the Manchester Office and Head of the Clinical Negligence team here at Potter Rees Dolan. Helen specialises in high value complex secondary brain injury, spinal cord injury (including cauda equina syndrome), birth injury, cerebral palsy and wrongful birth cases, and also has extensive experience of orthopaedic and surgical cases.

Education & career

After graduating from the University College of Wales in 1988 with a BA (Hons) in French and Italian, Helen went on to study for a CPE and LPC at Manchester University, qualifying in 1996. When asked what inspired her career in law, Helen comments:

“Having come from a very large family I learned how to speak out at an early age; accountability has been a driver for me, so too the thought that hard work really can achieve great results for those who have been injured”

Helen joined PRD in 1999 and became Partner in 2004, before being promoted to Director in 2014. Helen says of her role at Potter Rees Dolan:

“I really enjoy the camaraderie of my colleagues, counsel and experts and all the cross learning that goes with that; we tend to be in clients’ lives for a good few years – that’s a privilege and makes the job so worthwhile”

Recent reported cases

Recent reported cases of Helen's include; the cerebral palsy case of AB (by her Litigation Friend CD) v North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (2016), spinal injury case of DD v East Cheshire NHS Trust (2017) and the brain injury case of RM (by Litigation Friend, JC) v East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Helen also acted for a recent appealed spinal injury case of AB v Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2019] EWHC 1889 (QB). The first instance hearing was held in June 2018, following which the Regional Costs Judge gave an extempore Judgment that the decision of the Claimant to switch from Legal Aid to a CFA in February 2013 was a reasonable one. The Defendant appealed, and that appeal was heard in July of last year, where the decision of the lower court was upheld. During this appeal, Helen was described by the Regional Costs Judge as “one of the most experienced clinical negligence practitioners in the North West of England, if not the whole country."

Professional memberships & accreditations

Helen's professional memberships and accreditations include: AvMA Clinical Negligence Panel; Law Society Clinical Negligence Accredited. Helen is a top ranked lawyer within the prestigious Chambers guide to the legal profession and is recognised by Legal 500 as a Leading Individual. Helen is also listed as one of the top three medical negligence solicitors in Manchester via Three Best Rated.

Chambers and Partners say:

"She is very dynamic and forward-thinking" and "Helen Dolan is a confident and friendly lawyer who offers sound advice and instils confidence in her clients."

Previous comments from Chambers include: "Helen Dolan is noted for her market-leading expertise in brain and spine injury cases, with a particular focus on surgical error and delay in diagnosis claims. Clients say: "She is highly knowledgeable and efficient, with great insight into the whole life of her clients and their families. Helen’s manner is warm and pleasant, her communication is excellent and her work is very effective."

What others say:

Helen Dolan is one of the most experienced and tenacious solicitors around when it comes to clinical negligence litigation. Nothing fazes her and she fights hard for every client.

- Nigel Poole QC

"Helen Dolan is a force to be reckoned with."

"Helen Dolan is a standout leader in her field. She has very good attention to detail, excellent judgement, is a strong negotiator and is excellent with clients."

Outside of work...

Helen is a keen netballer and enjoys sculpting in her spare time.

Helen's Latest Blogs

Articles

Helen's Testimonials

At a particularly traumatic time in our lives, Helen Dolan provided an exceptional service on both an interpersonal and professional level. We were kept up to date every step of the process and with Helen’s guidance and advice achieved positive closure to our case. We are very pleased that we decided to choose your firm and we are grateful for your assistance

Mr and Mrs R, Lancashire
When dealing with medical negligence, it is important you have somebody who fully understands what they are dealing with - that was definitely the case with PotterReesDolan.. My case was somewhat difficult to prove. My legal team kept me up to date with all the information regarding the defence team. If I ever had a problem understanding anything, they would be very clear and explain everything to me, that is very important. I would take this opportunity to thank Helen Dolan and her clinical negligence team and anybody else in this matter. Thank you.

Mrs S, West Yorkshire
Helen Dolan was very efficient and courteous and, in many areas exceeded, our expectations. All members of staff were very approachable and helped to make a very difficult situation more bearable
Read the case study here: Misdiagnosis of blood clot on woman's spinal cord results in paralysis

Mrs H, Birmingham
Helen, Hannah and Kirsty guided us through a horrendous part of our lives. We are now able to get on with our lives to the best we can. The outcome of our case was the best we could have thought or hoped. Helen worked really hard for us and we are forever grateful. Thank you.
Read the case study here: Man left tetraplegic after doctors fail to diagnose spinal abscess

Mr and Mrs D, Stoke-on-Trent

View all Testimonials

Helen's Case Studies

View all Case Studies

Our Case Studies

Man suffers head injury and is partially paralysed after attack

Misdiagnosis of blood clot on woman's spinal cord results in paralysis

Delay in CT scan left man with severe brain injury

Routine surgery left active woman no longer able to run

Six figure sum for man left with damaged urethra after catheter surgery

View all Case Studies

Latest Testimonials

Thank you. Excellent help and I got an outcome I didn't expect, so a big thank you to Peter Renshaw.

Lisa Hathaway
TRUSTWORTHY FIRM I found Potter Rees Dolan through google search, and while I didn’t have much hope, it all turned out to believe there are still good people who help others. Peter Renshaw assisted me with my appeal. If he wasn’t there I probably never came this far and just lived my difficult life. However with all his professionalism and caring manner he encouraged me to appeal the decision, patiently explained the procedure and advised me all through the way. The appeal was allowed by the judge and this could not happened if Peter Renshaw did not support me with my case. I highly recommend PRD and specifically Peter Renshaw and his team.

Sahar via Yell
Firstly, I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to you and your team for the support you have given me over the past years to achieve this unexpected outcome. It has been such an emotionally draining process that, were it not for that support, I may have abandoned it... Once again, many thanks to all at Potter Rees Dolan. I couldn't have been in safer hands.

GM, Manchester
I am completely blown away after the success your input has done for me. Now, instead of life not being worth living, I can take time to make a life with a difference. I will forever be grateful to you! I am very grateful to your firm and especially Mr. Renshaw for his simple instructions, patience and understanding. Having him as an advocate was everything and more than I could have ask for. Many thanks for what you do.

Wendy Williams, Shropshire
One aspect which I value highly is that a promise to call will always be honoured. This may seem a small point but it is absolutely critical to peace of mind for the client. Communications, written and verbal, are always timeous, appropriate and well explained. As I develop below, each one of the team is invariably compassionate, understanding and empathic.This is of great importance to clinical negligence clients, who may well be facing life changing events, and not for the better. The Practice has a substantial and impressive array of medico legal contacts whose expertise they can call upon. We have been impressed with their thorough work and pleased with their achievements so far in dealing with our claim.

Jean Whittaker, Walkden