North East

Paul is a Partner in Burnetts’ Serious Injury team and is based in Newcastle. 
 
Paul joined Burnetts in 2018 and has over 20 years’ experience of supporting clients with personal injury claims following serious brain, amputation and spinal injury injuries. He also has many years of experience supporting children and their families following serious brain injuries. 
 
Paul is very passionate about getting the best possible rehabilitation and support for his clients following brain injuries. He works hard to secure early interim payments so that his clients can make the best possible recovery. He has a holistic approach to securing treatment and support for his clients and utilising, where possible, a network of leading therapists, consultants and case managers 
 
Paul is recognised in both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for his work supporting claimants following serious brain injuries. 
 
He is Chairman of brain injury charity Headway Wearside, an affiliated group of Headway UK. 
 
As a result of Paul’s interest and experience in supporting brain injury survivors, he has also been elected to the position of Secretary for the Northern Acquired Brain Injury Forum. He also served as secretary for 15 years for the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum, a national charity and forum for best practice for those working in the field of Acquired Brain Injury.
 
Paul has a keen interest in supporting people who have sustained serious injury and their families through the legal process from start to finish. He has won a number of multi-million-pound claims on behalf of seriously injured clients, defending their rights to significant claims when challenged. 
 
In a number of cases he has been involved in obtaining cutting-edge technology and treatment for his clients. 

Mick is also a Partner in Burnetts’ Serious Injury team, based in Newcastle. 
 
He is a specialist serious and catastrophic injuries solicitor with almost 30 years of experience in this field. He has recovered millions of pounds in compensation over that time and has represented clients with serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and amputations, amongst other significant injuries. 
 
Recognised well over a decade ago by APIL as a “Senior Litigator” and priding himself on an exceptional level of service, Mick is keen to ensure that clients receive as much rehabilitation and treatment as possible, as early as this can be arranged. 
 
Mick is keen to work with clients from the very start to ensure the best recovery, rehabilitation and treatment possible – to help them get back to being as good as they can possibly be. He is also keen to ensure the maximum recovery of compensation for his clients, and that they have interim payments so that they don’t need to worry about money whilst their case progresses.

Hannah is a Partner in Burnetts’ Serious Injury team, based in Newcastle.

Hannah is a Serious Injury Solicitor specializing in representing clients with serious life changing injuries, including brain injuries and significant polytrauma and has extensive experience with cases involving children and young people who have sustained brain injuries.

She is also Secretary for Headway Darlington and District – a charity that supports people affected by brain injury in the Darlington, Dales and North Yorkshire area.

Caroline is a Partner and Head of Burnetts’ Court of Protection team, based in Newcastle. 
 
A qualified Chartered Legal Executive with a strong specialism in the Court of Protection, Caroline’s role involves working closely with vulnerable adults and children, and their families in the management of their property and affairs. Caroline is a full member of STEP, an organisation whose primary purpose is to improve public understanding of the issues families face in relation to inheritance and succession planning and is a member of STEP’s mental capacity special interest group. 
 
While claims for damages are ongoing, Caroline liaises with litigators in medical law and personal injury to ensure the client’s needs are met and arrangements are made regarding care and support, equipment etc. Once an award is made Caroline is a core part of the client’s day to day support team which also includes their family, case managers, therapists and care workers. 
 
Caroline has more than 15 years’ experience working with clients with disabilities in the area of Court of Protection and so she has been invaluable to families in providing support on purchases and adaptations of property, specialist equipment and vehicles. Her aim is to ensure that the best quality of life possible for a client by good management of their damages award. Caroline is very keen to ensure the support she provides enables her client and their families to concentrate on family life. 
 
Caroline also provides support and guidance to family members who themselves are or wish to be Deputy for a loved one. Often providing a service for the completion of their Annual Report to the Court of Protection. 
 
Outside of work, Caroline is a committed supporter of North East charities including the Percy Hedley Trust and Breast Cancer Now.

Andrew McGowan is the Head of the Neurotrauma department at Sintons. He has over 30 years’ experience in high value serious injury work both within the UK and internationally on behalf of adults and children (that includes UK citizens injured abroad and also foreign citizens injured whilst in the UK).

With a proven track record of leading teams acting on behalf of seriously injured clients and providing support to their families, he is a strong advocate of early intervention and rehabilitation for clients and families, working with insurers to ensure early access to the correct and best rehabilitation support available to maximise outcomes after serious injury.

Andrew was ranked in the Legal 500 2023 & 2024 Guides as a leading individual, where it was said “I cannot speak highly enough of Andrew McGowan, Head of Neurotrauma. He is extremely driven and passionate about the work and about achieving the best possible outcome for clients. He approaches clients with compassion, empathy and understanding, always being client-centred.

Rebecca Maddock is a Partner in the Neurotrauma team at Sintons, where she acts for children who have suffered serious and life-changing injuries.

Rebecca was recognised as an Associate to watch in the 2021 to 2024 Chambers and Partners Guides and was recognised again in the 2025 guide as Up and Coming.

Chambers & Partners commented: “She has a complete command of the details in cases”. “Rebecca is very professional and has a caring touch that provides the perfect approach to cases in a sensitive area”. “I find her extremely conscientious and she has a good grasp of detail in complex cases. She does a first-class job for her clients”. “Rebecca is rising talent in the personal injury field. She has significant experience acting for Claimants who have been injured. Rebecca is a passionate solicitor who is determined to get the client what they need and has meticulous attention to detail.”

Rebecca was first ranked in the Legal 500 in 2021 and it has been said: “Rebecca Maddock is an incredibly personable individual. She has an excellent knowledge of brain injury and how this can affect individuals. Rebecca responds effectively and professionally in times of crisis and is flexible in the way she works”. Legal 500 also included Rebecca in the following quote: “They are dynamic lawyers who are beyond capable, straight talking, approachable, dependable and who ensure they develop quality human relationships with their clients”