Biography
I’m the Personal Injury Lead Partner for the Manchester office and also manage the Manchester Serious Injury team. I'm passionate about getting our clients the rehabilitation and compensation awards they need after they’ve suffered serious injuries in an accident.
I've recovered hundreds of millions of pounds of compensation for my clients during my career, over a wide range of complex serious injury cases. I’ve represented clients with brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations and complex orthopaedic injuries.
Me and my team also manage fatal accident claims on behalf of those who’ve lost a relative in an accident.
Some of my most recent compensation settlements include:
- Settlement of £15.5 million for a young woman who was struck in her car at great speed. She suffered spinal fractures & a spinal cord injury that meant she could no longer feel or move below her spinal cord injury.
- Settlement of nearly £6 million for a gentleman who became paralysed in his lower body after he was struck and crushed between two cars.
- A seven figure sum for an elderly lady who suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being knocked down.
- Settlement of £5.8 million for a middle aged gentleman who became paralysed in his lower body after he suffered spinal and internal injuries.
- Settlement of £2.5 million for gentleman who suffered a brain injury as a passenger in a car that was driven off the road.
- £1 million settlement for an elderly lady who suffered a brain injury after being knocked down while crossing a road.
- £2.75 million for a young man who was ejected from a car after being driven off the road. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt so this made his case more complex.
- Six figure sum for elderly lady struck by falling tree that had not been properly maintained.
- Seven figure settlement for lady paralysed from the waist down after weightlifting accident in the gym, caused by inappropriate supervision by gym staff.
I have expertise in getting my clients large interim payments (compensation payments made before the case has settled). Some of these are more than £1 million, in order to help provide accommodation, care, support and rehabilitation schemes for my seriously injured clients.
I also handle professional negligence cases against other solicitors, when a personal injury claim has been badly handled by the solicitor. I also regularly give talks on rehabilitation and calculating compensation to health care professionals.
My team were shortlisted for the Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team of the Year at the Manchester Law Society Legal Awards in 2010. We also won Claimant Solicitor of the Year in the 2016 Post Magazine Rehabilitation First Awards.
What inspired you to get into law?
While I was at school, I wasn't sure which career path to take. My father had an interest in the law, having been a police officer, so I was encouraged to do work experience placements with solicitors, the police and the CPS.
I did an A-level general studies module in law and visited a number of courts, including the Royal Courts of Justice in London. After this experience I wanted to be a solicitor, so I undertook my law degree and Legal Practice Course.
I was told by a tutor that I had "good interpersonal skills" which would be suited to personal injury work. I then got a training contract with a personal injury firm.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
I take great pride in being able to help my clients and their families in their time of need. This may be getting them the medical treatment, care, accommodation, aids, equipment and financial support they need after their accident.
I have to say that it never ceases to amaze me how much a simple "thank you" from my clients can mean to me when I've helped get the compensation they need. I’m also in contact with a few ex-clients who keep me up to date with everything they’re getting up to (good and bad).
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
I love working with a team of people who are dedicated to doing all they can for our clients, even if that means pushing the boundaries of existing law. That applies not only to my team or the general Personal Injury lawyers in the firm, but also the lawyers in other areas of law who will happily pitch in to help our clients.
We have access to public law experts who can make sure that clients can access services and housing from their local authority, or the medical treatment and drugs they need. I’ve engaged with six different areas of the law who worked with me on one case.
What do you do away from the office?
I'm a keen golfer when I get the time and weather permitting. I've also become rather keen on ski holidays, which and I’m now introducing to my two young boys. I’ve been very fortunate to enjoy travelling widely and I love exploring new parts of the world.
Testimonials
"He works extremely well with clients and all those involved in the litigation process." "Jonathan is approachable. He works extremely well with clients and all those involved in the litigation process." - Chambers & Partners, 2025 (Eminent Practitioner)
‘Jonathan Betts has decades of experience. He has a thorough understanding of his clients needs. Wherever possible he works constructively in collaboration with defendant representatives to ensure his clients have access to prompt rehabilitation.’ - Legal 500, 2025 (Hall of Fame)
