Biography
I'm a brain injury specialist in the Serious Injury team in the Manchester Office. I assist clients and their families who have suffered severe head injuries.
My role is to make sure that my clients have access to the best possible treatment and rehabilitation following their injuries, and to obtain damages to secure their future. I've specialised in complex injury cases for 17 years and have recovered more than £100 million on behalf of my clients.
The litigation process can be daunting and my aim is to make the journey as straightforward as it can be and to ensure that my clients are fully involved.
I've recently helped a two-year-old boy who suffered a life threatening brain injury when a refuse truck collided with his pushchair. He will require support and therapy over his lifetime, along with adapted accommodation. The settlement included annual payments for care and case management with a settlement value of £6m.
I also represented a young man who suffered a very serious head injury when he was crossing the road to catch a school bus as a 15-year-old. We settled him into a fully adapted bungalow with the support of his family and professional carers, and secured compensation of £6.7m with annual payments for care and case management.
What inspired you to get into law?
After forays into the worlds of education and the diplomatic service which allowed me to travel and to find out what really interested me, the personal contact with those in need attracted me to a career in law. Being able to help people find solutions at times of crisis is extremely rewarding. I am driven to get the right result for my clients and I feel that it is a privilege to be in a position to assist them at the darkest of times.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Seeing my clients through an often meandering process and arriving at the right result makes me punch the air. Knowing that whilst I can't make the clock turn back, I can leave them with a secure future looking forward makes my job worthwhile.
What do you like about working At Irwin Mitchell?
I’m pretty new here but I love the way our clients are right at the heart of our work.
What do you do away from the office?
I spend too much time in the cold at the side of a muddy rugby pitch, either with my sons or altogether as a family, as my husband works in rugby league. I like nothing more than to get home and bake, having put my slippers on first!
I am a Trustee of the brain injury charity HIP in Cheshire.
Testimonials
"Deirdre stands out to a high degree. She is extremely knowledgeable." - Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Leading Individual - band 1)
"Deirdre Healy stands out as being extremely knowledgeable and professional, always striving to seek the best for her clients. Deirdre has provided excellent training to my team and is always happy to advise and share her skillset." - Legal 500, 2023
"She is a very determined lawyer who is committed to her clients and very effective at getting the right result." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - band 1)
Dierdre Healey is "highly sought after by clients and their families in a range of personal injury matters." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - band 1)
"Her expertise and experience in supporting clients affected by head injury sees her leading the field; her passion and commitment to her clients, their families and their cause is to be commended; and her personable nature puts clients at ease during the litigation process." – Chambers & Partners, 2019
"Enormously experienced and knowledgeable and are both prepared to go that extra mile." – Legal 500, 2018/19
"Regarded by commentators as an excellent brain injury lawyer. She is widely respected in the market for her client care skills. She has recently focused on cases involving catastrophic injuries related to traffic accidents." – Chambers & Partners, 2018
"She prepares her cases meticulously and her tenacity in pursuit of her clients' interests is remarkable. However, the greatest feature of her work is the care and support which she offers her clients." – Chambers & Partners, 2017
"Has an "endless capacity to absorb each and every detail of brain injury cases." – Legal 500, 2017
"Deirdre is meticulous." – Legal 500 2016
"Deirdre Healy has 'a great reputation' in the field of brain injuries." – Chambers & Partners 2016
Client Testimonials
"Deirdre Healy and her litigation team took over a failing litigation and turned it around to a success. I found their approach to be professional, effective and efficient. Always available and ready to clearly explain the process. The team was compassionate and friendly which made some stressful and painful times manageable. As a family we are delighted with the positive outcome." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Helped me with personal injury claim following my mum's death – pleased with the help of Deirdre who my mum was also very pleased with. Would 100% recommend and will use again in the future." – Calum, 5* Trustpilot review
"Irwin Mitchell have been handling a case on my behalf for a couple of years. It has been a long process due to certain intricacies beyond anyone’s control and Deirdre Healy and her team have made me feel completely supported and in the loop with everything. It was a daunting process to face a legal system that I have no experience with, but everything was handled perfectly, with things being explained to me in detail as we went along.
A kindness and compassion was shown that I hadn’t anticipated and at all times I felt looked after and as though my best interests were at the centre of all decisions. We concluded with an incredible outcome that I am sure was only reached because of the knowledge and dedication of my team. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Irwin Mitchell again and can’t thank them enough for what they have done for me." -5* Trustpilot review
"Excellent service from beginning to end. Always available for questions especially with procedural explanations. Nothing was too trivial." – Mrs R Mason, 5* Trustpilot review
"We approached Irwin Mitchell having lost confidence in a local solicitor we were dealing with and are so glad we did! Deirdre expertly steered and supported us through the whole litigation process over a 4 year period. She was a delight to deal with, very personable, caring, passionate and committed. Deidre is a true professional and clearly an expert in her field. We could not recommend her enough!" – Helen, 5* Trustpilot review
