Lesley Herbertson

ateAs an integral part of the clinical negligence department, Lesley offers over 20 years of experience in handling cases where individuals have suffered all sorts of physical and psychological harm caused by their treating doctors.

Lesley specialises in birth injury, spinal injury and acquired brain injury work, as well as having many years of experience in handling a variety of other high value and complex clinical negligence claims, including: amputation claims, chronic pain, fatal accident claims, cauda equina injuries, and claims for delayed diagnosis. Lesley regularly deals with multi-million pound cases often involving periodical payment orders.

Education & career

After graduating from the University of Cambridge in 1987 with a BA (Hons) in Law, Lesley went on to qualify as a solicitor in 1990 while working at another UK law firm. When asked what inspired her career in law, Lesley commented:

"Whilst it sounds trite, I was genuinely inspired to consider the law as a career when we studied “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee at High School. Whilst I did not go on to become a lawyer specialising in criminal law, I have always acted on behalf of individuals who have been seriously harmed in some way and who need support in making their claim and recovering compensation to help them regain something as close as possible to their previous life despite often devasting injuries."

Lesley joined PRD in 2010 and was promoted to Partner in 2018. When asked what she enjoys most about her role at Potter Rees Dolan, Lesley comments:

"People! My clients, my colleagues and those that we work with including specialist barristers and many medical and non-medical experts. I’d like to think that our clients feel as important to us as they are and supported by the team we build around them to take their case forward."

Successful cases

S v MH - £12m for teenager who suffered brain injury as a baby through delay in referral to hospital for bacterial meningitis; B - £10.9 in damages secured for cerebral palsy following a delayed birth; T v AS - £3.9 million secured for client suffering chronic pain; H v Stockport Primary Care Trust - £1.15million recovered for a client who had Knee Replacement Surgery which led to an above knee amputation.

Professional memberships & accreditations

Lesley's professional memberships and accreditations include: AvMA Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel; Law Society Clinical Negligence Accredited. Lesley is also recognised by the prestigious Legal 500 and Chambers guides to the legal profession.

Chambers & Partners say:

"Market commentators describe Lesley Herbertson as an "excellent lawyer who is empathetic with clients." She is well equipped to deal with delays in diagnosis and surgical negligence leading to spinal and brain injuries."

Previous comments from Chambers include the following: "Lesley Herbertson possesses significant experience in birth and neonatal injury claims, including cerebral palsy and Erb's palsy. She is also adept at advising on cases involving spinal cord injuries and amputations. A client notes that she is "good at laying out exactly where a case is going and communicating how things are progressing"."

Legal 500 says:

Lesley Herbertson specialises in all aspects of clinical negligence for both adults and children with a particular focus on cases of maximum severity such as cerebral palsy and other complex birth injuries, brain and spinal injuries. Herbertson is also experienced in cauda equina and amputation cases.

Outside of work...

It is hard to squeeze in any hobby time between work and family responsibilities, and whilst walks in the countryside are my staple joy, occasionally I will enjoy my old love of salsa dancing out with friends in Manchester!

Lesley also speaks a little bit of 'holiday French'!

Lesley's Latest Blogs

Articles

Lesley's Testimonials

I would like to thank you Lesley for everything that she and everyone at PotterReesDolan have done for myself, Chrissy, Gem and of course, Jacky. I know you have been aware how difficult this has been for myself and the whole family following Jacky’s death. You have made the process as painless as it could possibly have been under the circumstances. I am sure Jacky would have been over the moon with the outcome, as we all are, especially as we have received a letter of apology which is what Jacky originally wanted. Once again, thank you from us all.

Mr S, Cheshire
We would like to thank you all for your support and exceptional hard work over the last few years, particularly Lesley Herbertson. There have been many tears, much laughter and so many answers that have been important to us that we would never have known. We are deeply appreciative of this as it has sent us on a new journey. Respect and admiration to you all.

Mrs M, Tipton
I am delighted with the level of support I have received. In particular, Lesley's explanation of the Part 36 process and achievement of early settlement through informed recommendations. This experience is just what you need when you are left vulnerable.

Ms T, Manchester
Thank you so much Lesley for all your help, compassion and guidance during these sad years. Our family couldn't have had a better solicitor.

Mr and W, Heaton Mersey
Just want to say thank you very much for all you have done Lesley. ‎ Not only have you done a very good job but your support to my wife and me has been outstanding and it's not all been about our son. I was very impressed with the way you pushed that little bit further. ‎I thought you were a great team.
We are very pleased with outcome and I like the way you took nothing for granted always looking at detail.
Look forward to working with you on the stages ahead.

Mr W, Cheshire
Friendly, understanding, clear and accomodating. Took the time to explain rationale for decisions and legal processes. Exactly the right balance of direction and recommendation. Very personable service, can't fault the service. From receptionists to solicitors to specialist help.
Read the case study here: Thousands in compensation for woman who had hysterectomy

Mrs B, Turton
May I first of all thank you and the team for all your hard work and support. We are extremely grateful that you have now secured a great outcome for our son.

On a personal note, I wanted to add that we couldn’t have asked for a better solicitor to represent us. Lesley, you have made a difficult process easier by your excellent management of the whole case. We both appreciate all that you have done for our son. It’s been a long road but one that has been made better by having you lead the way, so a very large, thank you.

Mr and Mrs G, Merseyside
The job was done efficiently and smoothly by Lesley and I will be recommending you to a friend of mine.

Kevin Roberts, Herefordshire

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Lesley's Case Studies

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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