Medical Negligence Law: how do I get into it?

Jul 11, 2019

Written By Sara Duxbury, Head of People, Fletchers Solicitors

Medical negligence is widely considered to be one of the most competitive areas of law to enter. To get ahead of the crowd, aspiring lawyers considering a career in this field must demonstrate ability in various disciplines and an understanding of healthcare. With this in mind Sara Duxbury, Head of People at leading medical negligence law firm Fletchers Solicitors, advises students on steps they can take to wow potential employers.

What is medical negligence law?

Medical negligence has the potential to be extremely technical. It demands not only a firm grasp of law, but also a detailed understanding of the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of the medical system.

Although extremely demanding, one reason medical negligence is such a competitive field is the variety of work it provides. Cases vary as much as human malady does. One day may involve working on the case of a family whose spouse has died because they received poor healthcare; another might see you helping a client who has suffered from poor cosmetic surgery.

Academic requirements

For students considering pursuing a career in medical negligence, it is important to grasp how vast the medical sector is and that detailed understanding of each key area is expected, in addition to the legal aspects of the role. As a foundation, students are expected to be proficient in maths and science. As cases involve dealing with issues that concern the human body, an active interest in biology is key and an A-level in this subject is recommended. Students wanting to specialise in this area should consider taking a masters in healthcare law to strengthen their law degree and ensure they have an in-depth understanding of the area.

Work experience

In addition to having a broad repertoire of knowledge in both medicine and law, it is also important to be able to show potential employers that you have experience applying these skills in a real-life setting. Practical training is invaluable as it allows you to gain first-hand experience of the reality of working in the industry.

The interview stage

In an interview you’ll need to be able to show enthusiasm and commitment to the subject, and furthermore that you’re willing to work hard and succeed. A combination of in-depth knowledge and experience in the field will help to illustrate your potential to employers. You must demonstrate that you have strong understanding of medical negligence and that you are committed to broadening your knowledge and further developing your skills.

Although it is not an easy sector to work in, the reason that it is so competitive is because it is a rewarding and worthwhile profession in which you can make an extremely positive difference to people’s lives.

If you want to find out a bit more about the role of lawyers working in medical negligence, take a look at www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk

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