Stephen has specialised in medical litigation since qualification in 1986. He is a member of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel and the solicitors' referral panel of AvMA (Action Against Medical Accidents). Stephen was appointed Head of Clinical Negligence in 2010.
He regularly acts in cases where clients have sustained brain injuries and has secured a number of million pound plus awards. He has also acted in high profile cases attracting media interest, representing the family of England footballer Robbie Fowler and acting for Denise Hendry, wife of former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry.
He has a specific interest in inquiry work and represented over 100 patients on the Personality Disorder Unit at Ashworth Hospital in connection with the Fallon Inquiry which reported in January 1998. He was solicitor to the Alder Hey Inquiry into the retention of children's organs following post mortem examination which reported in 2001 and was solicitor to the Redfern Inquiry into human tissue analysis in UK nuclear facilities which reported in 2010.
The Chambers 2012 Guide to the Legal Profession listed Stephen Jones as a leader in the field of claimant clinical negligence saying:
"The practice is now being led by the "highly experienced" Stephen Jones, who has an excellent reputation amongst clients and is described as "attentive, thorough and very hard-working." Peers are also quick to single him out as operating "at the cutting-edge," adding that "he is down-to-earth, straight talking and fights every inch for his client."Best career moment: In the clinical negligence field it would be invidious to select any one settlement above another. Every client’s case is important and any settlement therefore represents an achievement and opportunity to make a material difference. In the inquiry field I am very proud of the work involved in the Alder Hey Inquiry. The report was fearless but scrupulously fair and led directly to changes in the law and improved regulation.
Notable cases include
- Denise Hendry v Gustaf Aniannson: the highest damages award ever made in this country in a cosmetic surgery case at the time
- RB v Powys Local Health Board: £6m settlement for a 13 year old boy with severe learning disabilities
- HW v Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust: a seven year old with cerebral palsy awarded £3.4m damages
- SP v West Midlands Regional Heath Authority: secured £3.25m for a 19 year old with cerebral palsy
- Re VC: represented a 16 year old girl suffering from anorexia, in proceedings brought by a hospital Trust seeking permission to feed her by nasogastric tube
- inquest and inquiry work
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