Our team is growing and we’re back in the news
Our team just got bigger! We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming six new members to Optimal Solicitors, and now that they’ve bedded in, we’re excited to finally announce them. Very warm welcomes to:
- Kevin Walker – Complex Injury Specialist, Serious Injury team
- Jonathan Grundy – Catastrophic Injury Solicitor, Serious Injury team
- Esme Flannery – Portal Fee Earner, Fast Track team
- Jodie Keyworth – Solicitor, Fast Track team
- Weronika Bojarska – Paralegal, Serious Injury team
- Sara Sikora – Paralegal, Fast Track team.
As we grow, so does our specialist expertise in serious injury. The clients we support in this area often come to us with life-changing injuries, which can also significantly impact the family and friends close to them. It’s crucial that we not only lead with empathy and understanding but apply our deep legal expertise to achieve the best possible outcome.
That means analysing complex circumstances, gathering various types of evidence from multiple sources, engaging barristers where necessary, and visiting our clients to better understand their situation. Growth in this area enables us to provide accessible legal support to more people who have fallen victim to serious and catastrophic injury.
Find out more about how we can help here and keep reading to see what else has been happening at Optimal this month!
Legal briefing
Optimal in The Times: Driving reforms don’t address the complexity of modern roads
Our director Chris Germaine recently shared his thoughts on road safety reforms with The Times. We see first-hand how modern-day road use can lead to serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries, but the new Road Safety Strategy almost exclusively focuses on restricting car drivers’ rights. Chris addresses the need to protect the safety of the most vulnerable road users here.
Law overturned: Children can now claim “lost years” damages for medical negligence
In 1981, a Court of Appeal judgment stated that children cannot receive damages for medical negligence on the basis that they did not have any dependants. 45 years later, the Supreme Court has overturned the law. This means children can now claim “lost years” damages which could lead to the NHS having to pay millions of pounds. The decision comes after the mother of a child sued Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2020. Learn more about this monumental Supreme Court ruling here.
The Optimal pulse
- This month we introduced the Optimal Fitness and Wellbeing Group, a new internal community created by Jacek to bring the team together outside of work. Whether it’s a hike or a leisurely get-together, this provides a great opportunity for the team to connect informally and find out more about each other. One group member a month wins a £50 voucher and we’ve already had our first winner! Check back next month to see what else we get up to!
- The flowers are finally in bloom, which means it’s officially park weather! So, we ditched the screens for a few hours and headed to Buile Hill Park, a Grade II-listed public park with a mansion in the middle! Fresh air, good company, and fun in nature was a real boost to our mental wellbeing and brought us back to the office sharper. But not before we stopped off at the local cafe for a pick-me-up!
Employee of the month
Our March employee of the month received an amazing FIVE nominations! Congratulations to Ricky J. 🙌
Ricky has been an absolute lifeline for new starters and seasoned team members alike. From rescuing colleagues during their first week to sorting out IT issues, Ricky consistently goes above and beyond to make sure everyone has what they need to do their job. He’s always quick to solve problems, never complains no matter how many queries come his way, and does it all with patience, professionalism, and a willingness to help that’s second to none. A thoroughly well-deserved winner!
There were plenty of other team members who received nominations this month too:
- Karolina Bobińska – a true ‘mine of knowledge’; hardworking, reliable, and always willing to help others no matter how busy she is.
- Jakub Wisniewski – always available when needed and continues to deliver real value, most notably progressing the medical evidence workflow.
- Natalia Lewnau – super helpful and willing to provide support any time, always going above and beyond with a friendly smile.
- Gabriella Madden – always supportive and helpful to those around her.
- Claire Gooch – consistently goes above and beyond to help and support others.
- Sana Asghar – was behind some huge wins at work this month, including on billing.
- Wojciech Gorski – always kind and happy to help, making sure no team member is left overwhelmed – a true ray of sunshine!
- Katarzyna Gryszun – always willing to assist and a great help to the team.
- Ryszarda Kozikowska Dub – a fountain of knowledge who is always willing to help others.
- Weronika Kolodziejczak – new to the team, but already making a great impression, learning quickly and showing real motivation and potential.
- Susan Phelps – very helpful to a new starter from the get-go.
- Stephanie Matthews – supportive, encouraging, and always helpful.
- Craig Fisher – worked wonders since joining, and provided clear and effective leadership.
- Grzegorz Szalas – welcoming, patient, and helpful.
- Shah Uddin – a fantastic month despite a heavy workload, showing great team spirit throughout.
- Jeff Sparke – very helpful and always finds the time to assist.
- Rachel Simpson – a reassuring and supportive presence who is there no matter the situation.
- Hemant Kumar – a great worker and colleague.
- Tracie Thomas – someone you can always rely on for advice, guidance, or support, delivered with kindness, patience, and genuine care.
What a month – congratulations to everyone who was recognised! 🎊
Work anniversaries
Six milestones were reached in March ranging from one-year to seven-year anniversaries! Congratulations to:
🎉 Jayne Linaker-Smith – 1 year
🎉 Tracie Watson – Thomas – 2 years
🎉 Shah Uddin – 3 years
🎉 Patrycja Delbowska – 3 years
🎉 Ricky J. – 4 years
🎉 Siriporn Germaine – 7 years
It’s great to see such a spread of anniversaries celebrated this month. Thanks for all your hard work and being a credit to our dream team 🙌
Latest blog: Mark Thomason re-accredited by The Law Society for Clinical Negligence
In February, we announced that Mark Thomason, our Head of Personal Injury, had been re-accredited by The Law Society for Clinical Negligence – a reflection of Mark’s expertise, professionalism, and commitment in one of the most complex areas of claimant work. But what does this mean for our clients?
This blog unpacks the importance of having solicitors who are accredited by this quality standard, and why having Mark at the helm of our personal injury team should reassure you that your case is in the best hands.
Introducing… Jodie Keyworth
Jodie Keyworth is a dedicated personal injury solicitor who has settled in well at Optimal as part of our Fast Track team. Over the years, she has built significant legal experience spanning commercial insurance right through to personal injury – a specialism she developed during her solicitor training.
Demonstrating patience, empathy, and clear communication, Jodie has a natural gift for guiding clients through what can sometimes feel like a daunting and stressful process. She also fights hard on cases where liability is disputed, investigating and negotiating to push for swift resolutions, and advocating for justice in court where necessary. For Jodie, it’s all about helping people get back on track after being impacted by injury.
Outside of work, Jodie is a loving mother with a taste for good food. When she’s not spending quality time with her young daughter, you might just find her bottomless brunching!
“I highly value your professionalism, responsibility, and support”
Behind every happy Optimal client is a collaborative team effort, from the first response team to the solicitors who lead the case, and all the paralegal and admin support in between. Every stage of our client journey is managed with the utmost care and attention.
That being said, it’s always lovely when our clients recognise the individual team members who supported them to a positive outcome. Well done, Stephanie Matthews and Clara Burns – and thanks to Mariia for the kind words!
Optimal outcomes, every time
If you have suffered a serious injury following an accident or medical negligence, we know how difficult it can be to visualise a path forward. But with the right support, it can be achieved, and Optimal can help.
From the moment you get in touch with us, we’ll put you at ease by taking the burden away from the claiming process and simplifying complex legal matters. You can trust our dedicated team of experienced specialists and accredited solicitors to fight for the very best outcome that enables you to move forward with your life, leaving you to focus on recovery.
Call our team today on 0161 250 7771 or complete our online contact form.
