Legal Department Officer | University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare organization in Coventry is seeking an individual experienced in managing clinical negligence claims and inquests. The role entails administering complex cases, analyzing medical records, and collaborating with legal teams to ensure effective communication during legal proceedings. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent organizational skills and a strong understanding of legal requirements in healthcare settings.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage a caseload of clinical negligence claims
• Strong understanding of complex medical information
• Persuasive and empathetic communication skills

Responsibilities

• Manage administration of coroner’s inquests
• Obtain and analyze medical records
• Identify witnesses and obtain statements

Job description

Overview

Responsible for managing a caseload of clinical negligence claims, inquests, employer liability and public liability claims, along with assisting in Court of Protection, Family Court and Mental Health Tribunal applications. To otherwise assist in all aspects of the Legal Services Department’s work.

Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Please apply for this job as soon as you can, if interested.

Responsibilities

• To manage the administration of coroner’s inquests to include setting up of files, liaising with the coroner’s office and ensuring requests for statements and other information are provided within the expected time period. The post requires the ability to format, gather and understand complex medical information and assist in the drafting of statements which will be used in court proceedings. It requires an ability to be persuasive and empathetic with all staff groups.
• Obtaining and analysing the medical records.
• Identifying the relevant witnesses and obtaining statements/reports and all other information relevant to the death, including incident investigation reports and Datix documentation.
• Arranging pre-inquest meetings.
• Attend inquests where necessary to ensure that the Trust has effective communication between the Coroner’s office and the senior clinical team.
• Supporting the Head of Legal Services and Legal Department Manager in all matters pertaining to inquests as requested.
• Manage a substantial caseload of legal claims against the Trust to include clinical negligence claims in accordance with the requirements and guidelines published by the National Health Service Resolution (NHSR).
• Obtaining and analysing the medical records to establish the factual chronology of care.
• Identifying the relevant witnesses and interviewing staff or obtaining paper reports.
• Analysing this information and taking the appropriate course of action, including drafting a comprehensive Preliminary Analysis Report to the NHSR.
• Reporting claims to the NHSR where appropriate.
• Analysing all reports and information to assess merits of the claim.
• Ensuring that the Case Management System is updated and claims reported to the NHSR within the timescales specified, escalating any delays immediately to the Head of Legal Services and/or Legal Services Manager.
• Liaising with the NHSR and Panel solicitors to further investigate the claim as it progresses.
• Analysing and cross-referencing expert reports with the medical records and/or clinicians’ comments, liaising with clinicians in relation to the content of expert reports, feeding back any comments to Panel Solicitors.
• Working with Panel Solicitors to reach a point in the claim where there is a firm Trust position in relation to breach of duty and causation.
• Ensuring there is a quarterly review of claims which analyses all learning that can be achieved from each claim and identify themes to inform clinical care, with adaptation of information delivery to staff groups as required.
• Auditing the department’s compliance with the Legal Department clinical negligence protocol.
• Supporting the Head of Legal Services and/or Legal Services Manager in all matters pertaining to clinical negligence claims as requested.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025