Chris Gooderidge

Senior Litigation partner

Chris specialises in a wide range of catastrophic injury claims with a particular emphasis on clinical negligence claims, with a particular interest in cerebral palsy birth trauma claims. Other claims range from cases arising from GP and hospital treatment. These include severe brain damage and death as a result of delayed diagnosis and inappropriate drug prescription, infertility and other long-term disabilities caused by surgical errors, psychiatric injury following treatment given without full consent. High profile cases include; claims for catastrophic injuries suffered following paediatric cardiac surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (subject of the "Bristol Heart Baby" Inquiry), and a number of cerebral palsy cases.

He has lectured extensively at Baclofen Awareness Days at the Nottingham University Department of Neurosurgery, Community Health Councils, Citizens Advice Bureaux and to doctors.

He is a Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel, a member of Action Against Medical Accidents Specialist Solicitors Clinical Negligence Panel, the AVMA Lawyers Support Group, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers Clinical Negligence Special Interest Group, APIL Child Injury Special Interest Group, American Association for Justice, the Birth Trauma Group of the AAJ, Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers, Global Justice Forum, Asquith Society, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Spinal Injuries Association Solicitors referral panel and the Headway Brian Injury Association Solicitors panel.

Chris and his colleagues have gone on to establish liability and achieve multi-million pound awards in cases of cerebral palsy including N -v- H Health Authority (1999) – damages of £1.7 million, C -v- B Health Authority (2000) – damages of £2.25 million, S -v- A Health Authority (2002) – damages of £1.6 million, J -v- S W London Strategic Health Authority (2003) – damages of £2.4 million, S -v- United NHS Trust (2003) – damages of £5.4 million, C -v- H Hospital NHS Trust (2004) – damages of £2.75 million, B -v- H Hospitals NHS Trust (2005) - damages to be assessed, L -v- W Hospitals NHS Trust (2006) – damages of £3.15 million, T -v- H Hospital NHS Trust (2007) damages of £4.255 million and B -v- H Hospitals NHS Trust (2010) – interim payment of damages of £874,000.00, final damages £4.15 million.

Chris also assisted with a case in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in Australia (2003) damages of £3 million.

Chris has been the Senior Litigation Partner at Harris Cartier LLP since 1977. He is listed in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 Guides to the UK Legal Profession as a leader in his field.

Testimonials

"Thanks for all your help over these many years….it has all been worth it! I am still very emotional about the whole thing but more so these last few months.

J has settled into his new home very well, he finally has an Elvis room!

I have enclosed some photos of our new place, we all love it and are extremely happy here.

Everyday feels like Christmas, I know that feeling won’t last but I am enjoying it while it’s here!

Thanks again, you are the best" (a cerebral palsy parent)

"You have acted for me for a number of years. You are absolutely what a Solicitor should be. I can ask for nothing more. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart."

"Thank you for all you have done on our case. It really is appreciated. You went the extra mile."

"I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your hard work, patience and understanding over the past 3 years, my parents, Richard and I are truly grateful."

"Firstly, I would like to thank you very much indeed for all your professional advice and caring manner involved with my case. Please would you also thank your lovely secretary, Ann.

Once again, I thank you for all your support and professionalism."

"Once again, thank you for all your hard work and support over the years and we wish you and Ann (PA) both well for the future."

"I wanted to extend my thanks again for yours and your team's help in bringing B’s case to a successful conclusion."