Withy King to support disability charity’s work

Law firm Withy King is supporting Scope’s outreach work with families of disabled children in Central and Eastern England.

Withy King has announced that it is supporting the vital work of Scope Regional Response worker, Delia Baylie. Her role includes providing information, advice and support to around 300 families with disabled children living in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and the southern part of Lincolnshire.

Parents of disabled children frequently cite the lack of timely information and appropriate support as one of the most important issues affecting them and their family. In order to adjust to their new situation and properly support their disabled child, parents need practical information and advice on all of the related issues involved in raising their child.
Through Scope’s helpline and Scope Regional Community Support Workers, the charity can help to provide this information to parents when they need it most.

Paul Rumley, a partner in the medical negligence team at Withy King, which specialises in cerebral palsy claims and birth-related injuries, said: “We are delighted to have renewed our partnership with Scope. We put our clients at the heart of everything we do, which resonates with Scope’s commitment to improving the everyday lives of disabled people and their families.

“Our aim at Withy King is to help people who have been injured through no fault of their own to secure high compensation awards, which not only pay for their ongoing care, but enable them to lead more fulfilled lives and achieve their potential. We are extremely pleased to be able to sponsor Delia’s role which makes such a difference to so many people.”

Withy King has also been selected by Scope to respond to queries from parents who need help with clinical negligence claims, alongside eleven other firms.

The charity decided to compile a list of solicitors that they could suggest to parents in these situations and who meet a strict set of criteria of the necessary knowledge and experience needed as determined by the charity’s legal adviser.

Penny Sturgess, Head of Information at Scope said:“We increasingly hear from parents of disabled children who are keen to find out more about a medical negligence claim but struggle to find the right representation they need, from the hundreds of companies out there.

“We know that deciding to pursue a claim for medical negligence is a huge decision to make and that this process can be a time consuming, challenging and emotionally draining experience for these families.

“But we also know that for many of these families it’s an important part of their journey to come to terms with their child’s disability. They may want answers or an apology and in extreme cases, it is the only way they can ensure they get the resources they need to guarantee their disabled child’s support throughout their life.

“By publishing a list of different solicitor firms as a first port of call for parents we are seeking to offer these families some peace of mind at a difficult time in their lives.”

[caption id="attachment_2759" align="alignnone" width="305"] Scope Regional Response Worker, Delia Baylie and Paul Rumley, medical negligence partner at Withy King.[/caption]

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For further information, please contact Natalie Birrell at NBPR on 07557 356860 or email [email protected] or contact the Scope press office on 0207 619 7200.

Date of issue: 19 June 2014

About Scope

We're all about changing society for the better, so that disabled people and their families can have the same opportunities as everyone else.

We work with disabled people and their families at every stage of their lives. We offer practical support – from information services to education and everyday care.
We challenge assumptions about disability, we influence decision makers and we show what can be possible.

Everything we do is about creating real and lasting positive in individual lives and in the world around us. We believe that together we can create a better society.
About Scope helpline

Scope helpline is the charity’s free helpline offering information, practical and emotional support to disabled people and their families.

Individuals, families and professionals can get in touch with Scope through their helpline 0808 800 3333.