Helen Watts

Senior Solicitor

Admitted as a solicitor: 01/03/02

SRA ID: 228427

Helen is from Washington, Tyne and Wear. After attending Biddick Comprehensive School and St. Robert of Newminster School, Helen studied Law at the University of Sheffield gaining a 2:1 (Hons) LLB. She remained in Sheffield to complete the Legal Practice Course, following which she returned to the North-East.

Helen joined Thompson & Co. in 1999, although since this time she has enjoyed a career break of a number of years, spending time living in Montreal, Canada and raising her two daughters.  Helen rejoined the Thompson & Co. family in August 2014.

Helen represents Claimants who suffer injuries as a result of accidents at work or arising out of road traffic accidents, and is involved in industrial disease claims, such as those arising out of exposure to asbestos or excessive vibration. She also represents Claimants who have been negligently treated or mis-managed in a clinical setting, by doctors or dentists.

Recent cases include:

• £425,000 to a widow on behalf of her late husband arising out of the road traffic accident which led to his death
• £400,000 following negligent surgery to manage an aneurysm in a leg which went on to lead to an above knee amputation
• £250,000 for mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos by a panel beater working in car repair workshops
• £92,000 to a shipyard plumber arising out of asbestos-related lung cancer
• Bowel injuries suffered during abdominal surgery
• Vibration white finger / carpal tunnel syndrome sustained after exposure to vibration in employment with ICI
• £30,000 for injuries, including a total hip replacement, sustained by a pedestrian in a road traffic incident
• Industrial asthma arising out of long-term exposure to harmful acids in the course of employment
• Damages for a child who sustained a fracture to their arm as a result of  faulty equipment in a school PE lesson
• Negligent diathermy burn during caesarian section procedure
• £15,000 for soft tissue facial injuries and dental injuries sustained by a cyclist in a road traffic accident
• Missed diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy
• £10,000 for a significant crush fracture to a child’s middle finger, requiring surgery to repair the nail bed, caused by an accident at a private nursery
• Delayed / missed diagnosis of  lung cancer
• £8,000 compensation for missed knee fracture by hospital
• Missed diagnosis of multiple metatarsal fractures by an Urgent Care Centre

In her spare time, Helen enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling.