Our team

Sue Man

Partner

Sue is a Partner and deals exclusively with claimant clinical negligence claims. She is, a member of APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), is accredited by the Foundation for Infant Loss has been a Legal 500 recommended lawyer

She qualified in 2009 and joined Girlings in February 2011. She was promoted to a Senior Associate in 2015, and in January 2019 she was appointed as a Partner. Prior to joining Girlings, Sue worked for a major insurer defending high value personal injury claims.

Sue is approachable and open minded. She has a particular interest in medically complex and high value / catastrophic claims. She is a highly regarded Next Generation Lawyer with a breadth of expertise including cases concerning brain injury, delayed diagnosis of cancer, amputation, fatal injury claims, and birthing injury.

Notable concluded cases include:-

• £2.225 million settlement in a claim concerning the delayed diagnosis of Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1, which resulted in bilateral above knee amputations, severely compromised bilateral hand function and reduction of the client’s life expectancy. Just prior to settlement the client was sadly informed his life expectancy was severely reduced to 3 years.

• Settlement for a client who suffered a permanent foot drop following nerve damage caused by a GP during removal of a leg cyst. With the settlement, the client was able to purchase a new home that could be adapted for her disability as well as to fund her need for life-long care.

• Settlement of a claim concerning failure to adequately observe a patient who was receiving naloxone treatment following a morphine overdose, which resulted in pulmonary aspiration, septic shock and the development of Post Intensive Care syndrome.

• Settlement of a claim arising from a delay in identifying and treating a post-operative infection which resulted in a below knee amputation. Liability was disputed by the defendant but was nevertheless settled at a round table meeting.

• Settlement following mediation of a disputed claim against a GP for negligently removing a melanoma which resulted in metastatic spread and death of the patient.

• Settlement of a claim concerning death of a baby following negligent closure of a patent arterial duct.

Sue is recognised as a consistent high achiever within the firm, who regularly secures settlements for clients whether by ‘round table meetings’, negotiations, or mediations. She is a meticulous and committed lawyer and has been commended for her efficiency and attention to detail. Sue’s strength lies in her ability to establish rapport and trust with clients, who in many cases have lost faith with professionals. Her clients have thanked Sue for her ‘hard work’, ‘professional care’, and ability to explain difficult to grasp issues.

Legal 500 Testimonials:

'Sue Man has a quiet and open-minded manner belying a tenacious approach to her work. Above all, she was meticulous with breathtaking attention to detail and an ability to communicate emotionally difficult information in a gentle and concise manner. It was a privilege to employ her services.'

'Sue Man is a hardworking and applied lawyer with good attention to detail. Likewise, she is alive to the commercial realities of clinical negligence work.'

Areas of Expertise:

• Amputation cases

• Brain injury

• Delayed diagnosis of cancer

• Fatalities

Testimonials from Sue's recent clients:

Sue was our lawyer on what turned out to be a lengthy and complex clinical negligence case. From our very first conversation, we felt confident in Sue’s abilities and reassured that we had chosen the right lawyer. She was incredibly astute, picked up on every detail, and remembered them all throughout the years that it took to bring the case to conclusion. This was a difficult and very emotional time for us, but Sue’s calmness, and level-headed approach made all the difference. I admire her ability to offer legal advice and still show empathy, while remaining completely professional. We felt confident in her experience and expertise, which was clear at every stage of the case. I had many questions about the legal process, and Sue was excellent at answering them clearly and promptly. She was always available when I needed to speak to her, and quick to respond to calls and emails. We would not hesitate to recommend Sue, to anyone who unfortunately finds themselves needing a lawyer for a clinical negligence matter. She made a daunting process possible, and we will always be grateful for her help and involvement.Sue was our lawyer on what turned out to be a lengthy and complex clinical negligence case. From our very first conversation, we felt confident in Sue’s abilities and reassured that we had chosen the right lawyer. She was incredibly astute, picked up on every detail, and remembered them all throughout the years that it took to bring the case to conclusion. This was a difficult and very emotional time for us, but Sue’s calmness, and level-headed approach made all the difference. I admire her ability to offer legal advice and still show empathy, while remaining completely professional. We felt confident in her experience and expertise, which was clear at every stage of the case. I had many questions about the legal process, and Sue was excellent at answering them clearly and promptly. She was always available when I needed to speak to her, and quick to respond to calls and emails. We would not hesitate to recommend Sue, to anyone who unfortunately finds themselves needing a lawyer for a clinical negligence matter. She made a daunting process possible, and we will always be grateful for her help and involvement.

Sue has been the most amazing lawyer I could have asked for. Her dedication, compassion and kindness has made a huge impact in our family during a very difficult and painful process. You can find legal advice in several places, but this type of professional is very rare. If I ever need legal advice again, I would definitely contact Sue again.

Following the death of my partner, Sue Man at Girlings was outstanding in handling my clinical negligence claim. Sue demonstrated genuine care, empathy and support throughout a very difficult time. At every stage, Sue communicated the legal process and terminology with patience and clarity, to ensure my understanding was clear. Her expert knowledge and commitment to my case resulted in an outcome that far exceeded my expectation. I am truly grateful to Sue and would highly recommend her services to anyone facing similar circumstances.

I approached Sue Man at the company who gave me some advice about a potential negligence claim that left my daughter disabled.

I have to say that it was some of the most thorough, but concise information I have ever been given.

Sue's ability to get to the facts with speed are impressive!

Thank you for your time, your empathy and your professionalism.

Thank you so much for all your help on my claim for compensation. You were so helpful, explaining everything when I didn’t understand. Nothing was too much trouble. I wouldn’t hesitate to come to you if I need a lawyer in the future.