Legal Services Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

Claims Handling

Manage the litigation claims against the Trust for clinical negligence and employer/public liability cases in accordance with pre-action protocols, Civil Procedure Rules and NHS Resolution reporting requirements. This is a claims handling function panel will be appointed on all active claims and so the role is to respond to requests from panel who handle the day-to-day management of active files.

Investigate claims for loss of personal property or damage to property and make recommendations on reimbursement.

Responsible for notifying and requesting comments from relevant members of staff on any claims matters, where panel has not already been instructed to do so.

Ensure that all new claims provide sufficient information relating to allegations of negligence in accordance with the Pre-action Protocol for the Resolution of Clinical Disputes and also the Trusts Claims Policy.

Liaise with claimants solicitors as necessary to elicit further information. Ensure that appropriate authorisation is provided for the release of patient information.

Review and analyse medical records and any other relevant documents and preparation of chronology/synopsis or other document as directed.

Ensure that all disclosure deadlines are met in accordance with relevant legislation/regulations.

Participate in the case conference process in liaison with solicitors and NHS Resolution.

Liaise with other departments to obtain additional information where there has been a complaint, incident or internal investigation e.g., Health and Safety, Estates.

Responsible for ensuring that all claims where complex issues arise are brought to the attention of the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) for advice and direction as per the Claims Delegation Protocol.

Inquests

To assist the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) in the conduct of Coroners Inquest cases by completing all preliminary and administrative tasks in the preparation of all such cases, including:

Acting as primary liaison point with the Coroners Office and maintaining a professional and amicable working relationship with the various Coroners Officers

Management of frequent, unexpected and urgent requests for information and/or assistance from Coroners Officers which may require reprioritisation of work, exercising judgement having regard to the particular circumstances

Opening any case management system and electronic file for all new Inquest matters and maintaining/updating the case management system and electronic file records as the matter develops

Retrieving all medical records and identification of relevant witnesses, and requesting reports and/or statements from the relevant witnesses, ensuring at all times that any time limits imposed by the Coroners Office are met

Identifying linked complaints and incidents and notifying the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare)

Analysis and assessment of complex clinical and factual scenarios (which are frequently highly distressing) in the identification of relevant factual witnesses and any key legal, ethical or patient safety issues that may arise in the Coroners inquiry;

Escalating any potentially contentious issues and/or any problems in obtaining witness reports/statements with more senior members of the team (as appropriate) and proactive identification of potential solutions

Co-ordinating Pre-Inquest Meetings and court hearing appointments for the Legal team and the relevant witnesses and, if appropriate, external Counsel

Attending Inquest hearings in order to support relevant witnesses in cases which have been assessed by the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare) as appropriate

Ensuring that conclusions are promptly obtained from the relevant Coroners Officers following the conclusion of Inquests and ensuring that any learning identified has been escalated to the Head of Legal / General Counsel (Healthcare), any case management system and electronic files are closed and archived as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Education

Essential

• CILEx Associate or Graduate (or equivalent), or Law Degree, or extensive relevant experience assisting in the management of personal injury claims and/or clinical negligence claims/ inquests.

Knowledge/Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of pre Action Protocol for Personal Injury Claims
• Knowledge of relevant NHSR Reporting Guidelines and requirements

Skills/Knowledge/ Ability

Essential

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• The post holder must have an ability to communicate with all disciplines of staff, including (but not limited to) Patient Safety, individual members of staff involved in potential litigation or Coroner's inquests, Consultants, staff and Managers of all levels.
• The post holder must also have an ability to communicate with external stakeholders including (but not limited to) the NHSR, Panel and external solicitors, members of the public, patients/Claimants and their solicitors.
• Fully computer literate with knowledge of Windows, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Ability to prioritise own workload and work to deadlines.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Denmark Hill

London

SE5 8ND

Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)