Coodes Solicitors is expanding its personal injury and clinical negligence team by appointing two specialist lawyers, partner Tom Fletcher and associate Rachel Pearce, to its Falmouth office.

The personal injury and clinical negligence team provides a wide range of specialist advice to people who have been injured by substandard medical care or through an accident that was not their fault. The department was established when Coodes Solicitors merged with Falmouth firm Preston Goldburn in 2015.

Tom joins from one of the UK’s largest and most highly acclaimed law firms, Irwin Mitchell, where he specialised in medical negligence and child abuse cases. Based in Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office since 2010, he handled several high profile cases, including representing the victims of abuse in football clubs, schools and churches. Tom also has a track record for securing high value settlements for people who have suffered serious clinical negligence, including brain injuries and fatalities.

“Coodes is an established law firm and I have been impressed by their vision and ambition," said Tom. "I am extremely excited about the move to Cornwall and having the opportunity to really make an impact in the region. This is also a great opportunity for me to help Coodes continue to progress and move forward.”

Rachel joined Coodes after setting up a South West base for London firm Hodge Jones & Allen. Rachel is a clinical negligence specialist, and her expertise is recognised by her accreditations with both the Law Society and APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers). Rachel is also a member of INQUEST Lawyers Group, a national pool of lawyers providing legal representation for bereaved families. She has settled a number of significant clinical negligence cases during her ten year career working for Hodge Jones and Allen and South East firms HRJ Law and Attwaters Jameson Hill. Rachel has particular expertise in acting for people who have suffered brain and birth injuries as well as representing clients at inquests.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining such a dedicated team at Coodes. It is absolutely clear that the team all work hard together for the benefit of their clients. We are more than happy to travel and make home visits so we can advise people across the region. I think there is great potential for Coodes to continue to grow its services to people who have experienced clinical negligence or suffered a personal injury across the South West and beyond.”

Rachel and Tom will work alongside head of department Tim Goldburn and Bob Beard and Catherine Hyde, who advise people who have been injured in a road traffic accident or at work.