Kate Smith

Kate has over 15 years’ experience working in Litigation and Dispute Resolution. She specialises in complex and high-value personal injury and clinical negligence claims including claims resulting in upper and lower limb amputations and serious head and spinal injuries with complex care needs.

Her successes involve recovering a multimillion pound settlement for an employee whose upper limb was amputated during a farming accident, and a six-figure settlement for an employee who suffered serious leg injuries as a result of an accident on a building site.

Kate has assisted clients with a wide variety of injury claims including those arising from road traffic accidents; accidents at work; public liability cases, and clinical negligence.

Kate has a reputation for being committed and compassionate to her clients, whilst having a strong eye for detail and providing a high level of service, with clients describing her as “understanding, kind and totally professional”.

With a young family, for Kate spare time is limited these days, but she enjoys spending time with her young son and her partner at the weekends, eating out, swimming and travelling together when they can. She also loves music, especially enjoying live music.

• Claim where the claimant suffered a traumatic amputation of their upper limb as a result of a farming accident. Although liability was admitted contributory negligence remained in dispute. The claim involved obtaining expert advice from a plethora of experts including care, occupational therapy, prosthetics and engineering. Kate assisted the claimant in securing a multimillion-pound settlement at a joint settlement meeting.
• Claim where an elderly passenger sustained a fractured neck and suffered a stroke in a road traffic accident. The claim for future care and assistance was contentious due to the claimant’s age, but Kate was able to secure a six-figure settlement which enabled the claimant to employ a paid carer and cleaner to assist with the claimant’s day to day living.
• Claim arising from an accident at work where the claimant suffered a traumatic injury to their leg and shoulder, when they fell from plant on a building site. The claimant was unable to return to manual labour due to his injuries and expert evidence was therefore sought from an employment expert as well as care and occupational therapy, and orthopaedics. Kate assisted the claimant to secure a six-figure settlement at a joint settlement meeting.
• Claim arising from a road traffic accident where the claimant (a pedestrian) suffered serious injury to his ankle and foot, leading to a surgical below knee amputation. The claim included future loss of earnings, a claim for care and assistance and specialist prosthetics. Polly and Kate assisted the claimant in securing a multimillion-pound settlement.
• (ongoing) claim arising from an accident at work where the claimant suffered a traumatic brain injury causing him to lose capacity. Liability has been admitted but contributory negligence remains in dispute.
• (ongoing) clinical negligence claim where the claimant (a minor) suffered adverse consequences when their feeding device was altered shortly after surgery, contrary to medical guidance.

• Started her career in law in 2008 as a Paralegal in the Personal Injury Team at a law firm based in Kings Lynn
• Studied her CILEX qualifications between 2009 and 2014
• Qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2016
• Relocated to Brisbane, Australia in December 2018 for six months and worked at a Queensland based law firm specialising in personal injury matters
• Joined a local law firm as an Associate specialising in personal injury and dealing with an array of litigation matters including property and contracts dispute – September 2019 to August 2023
• Joined Leathes Prior in September 2023
• Promoted to Senior Associate in April 2026