David acts for Claimants and Defendants in complex and high value claims arising from employer’s liability, public liability and road traffic accident claims. His practice is founded principally on claims relating to the consequences of traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury and also include claims in which it is alleged that the extent of the original injury has been augmented by negligence. His cases include Wright v Sullivan [2005] EWCA Civ 656, [Loughlin v Singh [2013] EWHC 1641 (QB), Grainger v Cooper [2105] EWHC 1132 (QB) and Casson v Spotmix Limited (in liquidation) and others [2017] EWCA Civ 1994.

He has substantial experience in investigating the availability of public funding in cases where contributory negligence is an issue.

He has significant experience of claims in which the Claimant resides abroad and where issues arise as to the provision of health and social care, insurance, tax implications and insurance in a foreign country. Recently settled claims involve Claimants living in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Malaysia.

David is instructed to advise and represent patients and their families in clinical negligence cases, including midwifery, obstetric and neonatal mismanagement resulting in catastrophic and life-changing injuries and failures to diagnose and treat meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage, brain tumour and other cancers, cauda equina syndrome, cardiac disease and stroke.

David’s professional negligence practice for both Claimants and Defendants relates exclusively to claims against legal advisers arising from their conduct of personal injury and clinical negligence cases. 

David Heaton QC is known for his prodigious practice in catastrophic spinal and brain injury cases. He is eminently capable of representing both claimants and defendants in highly challenging claims. He has recently dealt with several claims relating to RTAs.

Strengths: "Very tenacious and good on his feet." "He is very accessible and hugely experienced in his field." "He is an excellent barrister and advocate. He has got a very good practical grasp on the law and what a client wants from a case."

Chambers & Partners 2022 (PI) - Band 1 

David Heaton QC advises on both the claimant and defendant sides of cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases affecting babies as a result of negligent obstetric care. He also handles cases in which mismanaged childbirth leads to gynaecological and psychiatric injuries to the mother. Additional areas of practice include complex spinal injury claims.

Strengths: "Has a no-nonsense approach and is a safe pair of hands for complex clinical negligence litigation." "He is always very thorough, very well prepared, and his approach is really logical. He is good at putting clients at ease and explains things very clearly. His documents are drafted very well and are very clear, and he is very accessible and willing to help."

Chambers & Partners 2022 (Clin Neg) - Band 1

Known for his prodigious practice in catastrophic spinal and brain injury cases, Heaton is eminently capable of representing both claimants and defendants in highly challenging claims. He has recently dealt with several claims relating to RTAs.

Strengths: "He's hugely knowledgeable and very easy to work with." "He combines a delightfully disarming charm with absolute confidence and knowledge."

Chambers & Partners 2020 (PI) 

David Heaton QC advises on both the claimant and defendant sides of cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases affecting babies as a result of negligent obstetric care. He also handles cases in which mismanaged childbirth leads to gynaecological and psychiatric injuries to the mother. Additional areas of practice include complex spinal injury claims.

Strengths: "Has a no-nonsense approach and is a safe pair of hands for complex clinical negligence litigation." "He is always very thorough, very well prepared, and his approach is really logical. He is good at putting clients at ease and explains things very clearly. His documents are drafted very well and are very clear, and he is very accessible and willing to help."

Chambers & Partners 2020 (Clin Neg) 

Advises on both the claimant and defendant side of cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases affecting babies as a result of negligent obstetric care. He also handles cases in which mismanaged childbirth leads to gynaecological and psychiatric injuries to the mother. Additional areas of practice include complex spinal injury claims.
Strengths: "His work is second to none, and he brings a personal touch and is very supportive of clients."  "He leaves no stone unturned in investigations and is very good tactically."

Chambers & Partners 2020 (Clin Neg)

Known for his prodigious practice in catastrophic spinal and brain injury cases, Heaton is eminently capable of representing both claimants and defendants on highly challenging claims. He has recently dealt with several claims relating to RTAs. "He has great attention to detail and is a commercially astute negotiator in cases of maximum severity." "He brings people together and is able to find a pathway to settling a claim where many others would fail. He has a very sharp and technical mind." Recent work: Represented the defendant's insurers in a claim in which two car passengers had been grievously injured. Issues alleged included contributory negligence and long-term care needs.

Chambers & Partners 2019 (PI)

Advises on both the claimant and defendant side of cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases affecting babies as a result of negligent obstetric care. He also handles cases in which mismanaged childbirth leads to gynaecological and psychiatric injuries to the mother. Additional areas of practice include complex spinal injury claims. "Loved by clients. He has superb knowledge of birth injury cases and, combined with a keen eye for detail, he has to be ranked as one of the best silks outside London for clinical negligence work." "David is very personable and approachable; he gets to grip with the heart of the issue and is an excellent advocate." "He makes full use of his wealth of experience in clinical negligence and applies a thoughtful approach to complex claims."

Chambers & Partners 2019 (Clin Neg) 

David Heaton has been consistently recognised as a leading practitioner in high value and complex catastrophic brain and spinal injury claims over many years, both those resulting from actionable clinical negligence and from other personal injury claims. He has a broad practice and acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants.

His most recent entries include: 

• Known for his prodigious practice in catastrophic spinal and brain injury cases, Heaton is eminently capable of representing both claimants and defendants on highly challenging claims. He has recently dealt with several claims relating to RTAs.(Chambers and Partners 2018 – Personal Injury)

• Regularly advises on the claimant side of cerebral palsy and other brain injury cases affecting babies as a result of negligent midwifery care. Handles cases in which mismanaged childbirth leads to gynaecological and psychiatric injuries to the mother. Also advises on complex spinal claims.(Chambers and Partners 2018 – Clinical Negligence)

• "He has a fabulous demeanour with clients, they warm to him and feel comfortable with him." "He knows the papers inside-out, knows the issues that can arise and takes those on in conference in a way that clients can understand." (Chambers and Partners 2017 – Clinical Negligence)

• "He demonstrates superb attention to detail and commerciality in catastrophic cases." "He provides clear, unequivocal advice, and he is both very easy to contact and client friendly." (Chambers and Partners 2017 – Personal Injury)

• “Tenacious and very approachable” (Legal 500 2016)

• and he is also acclaimed as "a superb silk on birth injury work." Commentators say that "he combines intellectual brilliance with invaluable expertise and is at the very top of his game." He also draws plaudits from instructing solicitors, who note that "he is open, personable and extremely client-friendly." (Chambers and Partners – Clinical Negligence 2013)

Regularly provides lectures and seminars to PIBA, solicitors and healthcare professionals.