Rebecca Hepworth v Dr Amanda Coates

Rebecca Hepworth v Dr Amanda Coates

Dr Coates was not in breach of duty; she asked the necessary questions in a form Ms Hepworth understood and properly considered CES. The alleged breach of duty was not made out on the evidence, so the claim fails.

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Claimant: Rebecca Hepworth; Defendant: Dr Amanda Coates
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Clinical Negligence / Final Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Clinical Negligence, Causation, Quantum of Damages, Expert Evidence, Duty of Care
Tort Medical Law Clinical Negligence Causation Quantum of Damages Expert Evidence Duty of Care

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Parties

Rebecca Hepworth

Claimant

Dr Amanda Coates

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Clinical Negligence / Final Judgment After Trial

  1. 1 Whether Dr Coates breached her duty of care by failing to diagnose cauda equina syndrome at the 5 November 2018 consultation
  2. 2 Whether any breach caused a worse outcome for Ms Hepworth
  3. 3 Assessment of quantum if breach and causation established

Ratio Decidendi

Dr Coates was not in breach of duty; she asked the necessary questions in a form Ms Hepworth understood and properly considered CES. The alleged breach of duty was not made out on the evidence, so the claim fails.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed