Alison Underhill

Examples of this type of work include:

Clinical negligence

• Claims for delays in diagnosing cancer – including a delay in referring a client with laryngeal cancer, resulting in their death; a case where there was a six-year delay in the diagnosis of a tumour in the leg, resulting in need for extensive surgery and chemotherapy (case ongoing – damages likely to be substantial).
• Failure to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture in A&E, leading to a delay in surgery to repair the tendon and ongoing restrictions as well as the development of a chronic pain condition (successfully recovered damages of over £200,000).
• Failure to provide adequate antenatal care, resulting in trauma and development of post-natal depression.
• Birth injury claim involving failure to identify and repair a third degree tear, leading to permanent continence problems (recovered damages of £65,000).
• Bowel perforation in surgery, leading to death (recovered damages of £50,000).
• Claims for negligence in knee and hip replacement surgery.
• Other surgical errors, including failure to remove all metalwork and for post operative complications, such as infection.
• Prescription errors.
• Negligent treatment from GPs – failure to diagnose/refer.
• Claims for inadequate care in nursing homes.

Personal Injury

• Claims for multiple injuries arising out of road accidents – including a case settled for £1.6 million and an injury case settled for £825,000.
• Injuries from accidents at work – including claims for slipping and tripping – one of which went to Court of Appeal and established a point of law concerning an employer’s duty of care under statutory regulations.
• Claims for significant injuries to hands/loss of fingers arising out of failure to guard dangerous machinery; back injuries/hernias caused by heavy lifting at work; injuries from falls when working at height such as scaffolding and ladders; physical and psychological injuries resulting from assaults at work.
• RTA fatal accident claims.
• RTA claims for whiplash injuries to neck and back.
• Claims for injuries caused by attacks by dogs.
• Injuries resulting from trips and slips, causing fractures/facial injuries and often involving the elderly.
• CICA (Crime Injuries Compensation Association) claims.
• MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) claims.

Alison says: “Clients tell me that they appreciate my professionalism, approachability and supportive, thorough, attention to detail. I think that keeping clients well informed and involved throughout process is crucial to success.“

Legal 500 2019 Wards Solicitors is recommended for Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury and Alison Underhill is described in the editorial as having “extensive experience” as well as being “intelligent, perceptive and thorough” and having an “excellent eye for detail”.

Legal 500 2017

Chambers & Partners 2019 – ranked as leading individual for Personal Injury – Bristol and surrounds.

Chambers & Partners 2018 – ranked as leading individual for Personal Injury – Bristol and surrounds: “well-respected practitioner”, well versed in high-value personal injury claims, including road traffic accidents, product liability and workplace injury cases. According to one client: “She is realistic and managed our expectations but fought for what was right.”

Chambers & Partners 2017 – listed as notable practitioner for Personal Injury: Mainly claimant – Bristol and surrounds: Alison Underhill draws on long-standing experience in personal injury litigation, including fatal accident claims and employers’ liability cases. She is “very tenacious and incredibly hard-working,” according to interviewees.

Qualifications and Experience

• Law degree
• Qualified as a Solicitor in 1989
• Member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel since 1994
• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) Senior Litigator Status since 2005
• Member of Staple Hill Chamber of Commerce
• Has specialised in Accident and Injury law since 1989 and Clinical Negligence since 1992

Supervised by Helen Boyd