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Brain & Spinal Tumour Negligence Claim Solicitors

Our medical negligence experts provide confidential advice to those affected by misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment in brain and spinal tumour care.

We’re a leading national firm in uncovering and addressing negligence in brain tumour and neurosurgery care. 

By working closely with trusted experts in neurosurgery, pathology, neuroradiology and oncology, we conduct thorough reviews of tumour pathology, scan interpretations and neurosurgical decision-making to explain where diagnostic errors occurred.

We then guide you through the process to secure compensation for the physical, emotional and financial impacts of clinical errors.

We’re currently representing tens of patients across Coventry, Warwickshire and Birmingham who may have undergone years of unnecessary chemotherapy treatment (read David's story here).

Yet these issues go far beyond oncology. As reported by the BBC, recent investigations suggest a wider pattern of misdiagnosis, incorrect tumour grading, errors in neurosurgical decision-making and failures in neuroradiology and pathology service — all of which may have contributed to harmful or unnecessary treatment. These issues point to a systemic diagnostic breakdown across the Midlands.

These concerns have emerged alongside the ongoing scandal involving prolonged and inappropriate Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW), where some patients were prescribed the drug for more than a decade despite guidance recommending a maximum of six to 12 months.

Our team is accredited in medical negligence by the Law Society and members of the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL). As a firm, we’re recommended by The Times Best Law Firms 2025, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.

We offer a free initial consultation and most claims proceed under a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. Put simply, this means that you won’t need to pay any upfront cost for us to investigate your claim. We also provide clear advice on funding and insurance options to give you peace of mind.

Talk to us by giving us a call on 0333 004 4488, sending us an email at medneg@brabners.com or completing our contact form.

What has gone wrong?

1. Misdiagnosis & incorrect tumour grading

Independent reviews have found that pathology services at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) incorrectly diagnosed or graded tumours in multiple cases.

Examples include:

These errors shaped neurosurgical and neuro-oncology decisions, leading to (in some cases) chemotherapy and radiotherapy that may never have been needed. 

Some patients have also been left permanently disabled by the neurosurgical procedures or delays in performing such procedures.

 

2. Neurosurgical errors & poor clinical decision-making

Investigations highlight failures in neurosurgical care, including:

 

3. Neuroradiology concerns

Concerns have also been raised regarding:

Radiology errors often drove inappropriate or unnecessary prolonged treatment plans. 

 

4. Pharmacist failures

Despite NICE Guidance stating that TMZ treatment shouldn’t exceed six months (maximum 12 months), hospital pharmacists continued dispensing it for years without raising concerns.

 

5. Lack of MDT review & specialist oversight

Diagnosing and treating brain tumours requires coordinated input from neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists and neuro-oncologists.

Yet across the cases reviewed, many patients had little or no MDT involvement.

This means that there was:

Watch: The full story — Prof Ian Brown accused of failing patients with prolonged TMZ chemotherapy

Fiona Becky
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How this has affected patients

Many affected individuals have suffered:

  • Unnecessary chemotherapy treatment lasting many years.
  • Severe side effects, including infertility, early menopause, fatigue and increased infection risk.
  • Secondary cancers, including therapy-related leukaemia.
  • Delayed or incorrect treatment, affecting long-term prognosis.
  • Loss of career opportunities and quality of life.
Book a confidential meeting with our team

Real stories from our clients

Watch: Exposing systemic failures in chemotherapy overuse within NHS trusts

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Have you been affected by neurosurgical or diagnostic errors?

You may need legal advice if any of the following apply to you:

  • Your biopsy was analysed at University Hospitals Birmingham and later raised doubt.
  • You were cared for by Professor Ian Brown between 1998 and 2024.
  • You received Temozolomide for longer than six to 12 cycles.
  • You were told that chemotherapy treatment would be “lifelong”.
  • Your scans were stable but treatment continued.
  • Your case wasn’t regularly discussed at MDT meetings.
  • You later learned that the treatment you were receiving wasn’t aligned with guidelines.
  • You received conflicting or unclear information about tumour grade.
  • You were placed on “watch and wait” without clear justification.
  • You later discovered that your tumour was lower grade than originally reported.
  • You were denied timely neurosurgical intervention.
  • You experienced long-term harm after an incorrect diagnosis.
Give us a call today to discuss your case

Fiona [Tinsley’s] attention to detail and compassion [was] astonishing... Fiona concluded my case, negotiating a substantial settlement on my (and my wife’s) behalf, helping to secure our future. I'd happily recommend Fiona and Brabners in regard to any clinical negligence claim in the future. You could not get a better service.

Anonymous client 'MP'

I was so fortunate to have found Becky Addison along with Brabners — you gave me courage to move forward with life. People need to know that help is out there. Thank you for all your empathy... your firm is truly second to none. I feel truly blessed to have found you.

Client feedback

Thank you for everything you've done. You've gone above and beyond most solicitors. You really have been amazing and I feel like I've gained a friend through this process.

Client feedback

Fiona Tinsley was very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable throughout my case, for which I was extremely grateful and managed to obtain a very successful outcome. Easy to contact and answered emails quickly and efficiently.

Client feedback

You [Andrew Tindall] have been fantastic, very friendly and easy to communicate with. You've been very helpful and the whole process has been very easy for myself. I really can’t thank you enough for all your efforts.

Client feedback

I’m grateful that Brabners took [my] case on as I don’t think it would have been a success story if it wasn’t for them. Chris Achilles has been brilliant and even when I felt like giving up on the whole thing he reassured me... Although no amount of money will give me proper function in my knee… I feel vindicated for raising the case.

Client feedback

I couldn't be more impressed with Becky Addison. She took the time to thoroughly understand my situation, patiently listening to all my concerns and questions and providing clear, insightful explanations every step of the way. Her communication skills were outstanding, ensuring that I was always kept informed of developments and promptly responding to any questions I had.

Client feedback

Firstly, l would like to thank you for your persistence and hard work on behalf myself and the girls. We can now have closure on what happened... It has been a long and tough road, but you have been caring and very easy to talk to and always had time to answer my questions. I will definitely recommend your services if the need arises in the future to friends and family.

Medical negligence client

'Thank you' is just not enough to express my gratitude. You're a lovely person with a kind heart and have helped me more than you know. I’m proud to be a part of the NHS and it truly saddened me that I had to consider taking legal action against an industry that I love but you helped me understand how to channel those feelings in the right way.

Anonymous client 'TC'
Fiona Tinsley

Experienced, accredited brain & spinal negligence solicitors

Our team of expert medical negligence solicitors has a proven track record of successfully handling brain and spinal injury and tumour negligence claims. We’re leading the national uncovering of these issues across the Midlands, representing over 30 affected patients and supporting complaints, claims and independent reviews. 

We can help you to understand what went wrong and how to seek justice.

Our specialist team provides:

  • Full review of tumour pathology, scan interpretation and neurosurgical decision-making.
  • Expert opinions from neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuro-oncologists and neuropathologists.
  • Explanation of what went wrong and where errors occurred.
  • Guidance through NHS complaints and legal claims.
  • Support in securing compensation for the physical, emotional and financial impact.

You can speak to us confidentially for free, no-obligation advice. We can also come to meet you where you’re located.

We offer a free initial consultation and most claims proceed under a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement.

Taking the first step can make all the difference. Talk to us by giving us a call on 0333 004 4488, sending us an email at medneg@brabners.com or completing our contact form.

Meet the team

Meet the team

Fiona Tinsley

Fiona Tinsley

Partner, Head of Medical Negligence & Serious Personal Injury

Becky Addison

Becky Addison

Paralegal

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Chris Achilles

Senior Associate

Watch: Unnecessary chemotherapy & Temozolomide FAQs

Fiona and Becky chemotherapy FA Qs

Praised for its ‘genuinely client-focused approach’, Brabners' offering encompasses specialist advice [around] clinical negligence... Key practitioners include Fiona Tinsley, who focuses on medical negligence cases.

The Legal 500

Fiona Tinsley brings a joy to her work. This combined with [her] high intelligence, empathy and a fierce commitment to her clients makes her an irresistible force in the area.

Client feedback, The Legal 500

Recognised by

Legal Advisors of the Year Private

Chemo negligence FAQs

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