Jon is Head of the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence department. He specialises in clinical negligence claims and complex personal injury cases, particularly those involving brain injury.
Jon’s excellent reputation attracts a number of high profile, complex cases. In the last 12 months alone he has achieved settlements for his clients totalling in excess of £15 million.
In the case of Smith v Sheridan, Jon acted on behalf of a five year old boy who suffered severe brain damage after being delivered with a forceps during an elective caesarean section. Jon was successful at trial despite the defendants arguing that a finding of negligence in these circumstances would be a "world first".
Jon also acted for the claimant in the important test case of Kanu v Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, which established a method of settling clinical negligence claims by means of annual payments in cases where the defendant hospital is a foundation trust or has applied for foundation trust status.
Another high profile case that hit the headlines was that of Suraweera v Basildon Hospital NHS Trust. Jon acted on behalf of the family of an anaesthetist who was allowed to bleed to death in her own hospital after giving birth to twins by caesarean section. The coroner returned a verdict of "medical misadventure to which neglect contributed" and Jon subsequently settled the claim for £1,050,000.
In 2008, Jon settled the case of SJ v SR for £7.5 million, which is believed to be one of the highest ever lump sum settlements of a birth brain injury case. The settlement included an additional allowance of £1 million for the cost of future professional care to cover the fact that carers' earnings are likely to rise faster than inflation and in lieu of periodical payments linked to earnings.
After attaining a First Class Law degree from Balliol College, Oxford, Jon trained at Anthony Gold and qualified as a solicitor in 1991. He became a Partner in 1996.
Jon is the London Regional Coordinator for the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. He is a member of the AvMA Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel and of the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel and Personal Injury Panel.
Jon is highly regarded and recognised as a "leading individual" for both his personal injury and clinical negligence work in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2012 which notes that he "continues to impress clients who find him to be superb in every respect - he's prompt to respond, he gave excellent advice, and he was totally supportive". In The Legal 500 he is ranked as a "leading individual" who is "totally dedicated". He is "brilliant - kind, knowledgeable, wise, and determined". He is described as having "excellent knowledge of personal injury law together with attention to detail". He is included in the list of experienced brain injury solicitors maintained by the brain injury association, Headway.
What his clients say…
"Your service with a smile and friendly nature is always welcome and respected."
"I have found your service to be impeccable"
"Dumping my previous solicitor was among the best decisions I've ever taken, and you've been a fantastic support."
"An excellent solicitor. The firm's time and work-load management is of very high standards. Communication has been excellent. Anthony Gold has been exceptional in its delivery."
"Mr Nicholson's professionalism and courtesy have always been exemplary"
"I cannot praise Jon Nicholson enough. In all his dealings with me, he was kind, considerate, sensitive, and he did everything he said he would, when he said he would. I can't thank him enough".
