Madelene Holdsworth

Get to know Madelene

I joined Slater and Gordon in 2005 (formerly Pannone LLP), qualifying in 2007 and became a principal lawyer in 2016, before becoming the Managing Director of Specialist Personal Injury Services in 2021 and Managing Director of Specialist Legal Services in 2022.

I have over 15 years of file handling experience in the niche area of industrial disease, primarily asbestos related disease, and military litigation. I am passionate about the law and about ensuring our specialist injury cases are dealt with skilfully and compassionately without exception.

Career Highlights

My specific areas of expertise are claims for asbestos victims however I am also regularly instructed on claims for occupational asthma, work related stress, dermatitis, chemical poisoning and noise induced hearing loss cases, particularly on behalf of Armed Forces personnel. I also have experience in complex accident at work cases and catastrophic military cases.

Additionally, I have a highly specialised and unique expertise in carbon monoxide poisoning claims and I am one of the UK’s foremost legal experts in this area, being involved in several high-profile carbon monoxide poisoning claims and speaking at the House of Lords on this topic previously.

I recently represented a young man in his early 50s who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. This was a very atypical mesothelioma case due to the Claimant’s young age and extensive loss of earnings.  

As the client was so young at the time of his diagnosis and the fact he had to sell his business, we managed to secure a seven figure settlement which is extremely high value in the world of mesothelioma claims. 

Another case i've worked on, and one of the most complex medical cases I’ve ever had, involved a development of facial erythrodysesthesia caused by light exposure at my client's workplace. My client developed extreme photosensitivity causing huge restrictions from everyday items such as mobile phones and car headlights, I negotiated a significant six figure settlement, allowing my client to be able to live as comfortably as possible.

Recognition

I am accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as a Senior Litigator, an Asbestos Specialist, and an Occupational Disease Specialist and have regularly been recognised in independent legal guides, the Legal 500, as well as being currently ranked as a Band 2 lawyer in Chambers and Partners.

The 2023 edition of Chambers and Partners states: "Madelene Holdsworth is extremely careful and thorough and is experienced and knowledgeable - a safe pair of hands."

I was shortlisted as a 'Lawyer of the Year' in the Modern Law Awards 2020 and am also shortlisted for 'Innovative Leader' in the Women: Power, Influence in Law Awards 2022.

The extra mile

I also work closely with several of our charity partners including: Mesothelioma UK, Spinal Injuries Association and Stick n' Step.

Last year, along with other team members, I took part in the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for SARAG, where we raised almost £800 for the asbestos charity.