Mala Sidebottom

I’m a Partner, qualified medical doctor and specialist medical negligence solicitor. I help people who have suffered illness or injury because of poor medical care, including those living with life-changing and permanent disabilities.

I have particular expertise in neurological injury and birth injury claims. I also support clients affected by delayed diagnosis and treatment, failures to diagnose infectious diseases, inadequate consent for surgery and delays in diagnosing hearing loss.

Before becoming a solicitor, I worked as a practising anaesthetist. My medical background gives me a unique understanding of the challenges clients face and helps me explain complex medical issues in a clear and straightforward way.

I’m also committed to improving patient safety. Alongside my work with clients, I regularly speak to medical and legal students about the lessons that can be learned from medical negligence cases and the importance of improving standards of care.

Throughout my career, I’ve secured substantial compensation for clients with complex and serious injuries, including multimillion-pound settlements for families affected by avoidable harm. While compensation can’t change what has happened, it can provide financial security and access to the support clients need for the future.

When something goes wrong with medical treatment, it can leave you with difficult questions about what happened and what the future might look like. My role is to help clients find answers, understand their options and move forward with confidence.

Cerebral palsy caused at birth 

A settlement of £4.5 million, alongside ongoing payments for life, helped secure the client’s future after she suffered a brain injury around the time of her birth. The funding provides lifelong care, specialist support and suitable accommodation, helping ensure her needs are met now and in the years ahead. 

Missed condition on antenatal scan 

Compensation helped provide financial security for a family after concerns during pregnancy were missed on an antenatal scan. The settlement ensured they had access to the support and resources they needed for the future, helping them move forward with greater confidence and certainty.