Justice for Libby After Neglect Finding
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Elline Demetriou
Elline Demetriou was instructed by the family of Libby Instone, a 20-year-old law student from Billingham who died on 21 August 2023, despite multiple attendances to North Tees Hospital. At an inquest held on 1 June 2026, Senior Coroner Miss Clare Bailey found that neglect contributed to Libby’s death. Neglect is a relatively rare finding, meaning that there was a failure to provide basic medical attention that would have prevented the death.
Libby attended North Tees Hospital 3 times over 18 and 19 August 2023, presenting with severe abdominal pain, nausea and retching. She was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and given anti-sickness medication before being discharged home on the first two occasions. During this time, Libby’s mother described Libby as being in incredible pain. On her third attendance, Libby was eventually admitted to hospital. However, Libby’s symptoms did not improve. The treating clinicians did not review her case or consider a different diagnosis. Instead, Libby was again discharged home, only to collapse later that evening. Despite being rushed back to hospital, Libby sadly died.
The Coroner found that there were multiple failures in the care provided to Libby. Importantly, these were found to be significant failures to provide basic medical attention during 3 separate attendances to hospital. Had these not occurred, Libby would have undergone surgery and would have likely survived.
Libby’s family have fought relentlessly to obtain answers as to how and why their daughter died, including for an inquest to be opened. They have always believed this was a case of neglect and the Coroner’s finding has finally brought justice for their daughter.
Elline Demetriou, Associate in the Medical Negligence team at Osbornes Law, acted for the family, instructing Elliott Clifton-Thompson of No.5 Chambers for the inquest.
The case has received the following media coverage:
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“Osbornes handles a wide range of high-value and complex clinical negligence cases, with particular expertise in birth injury, delayed cancer diagnosis, spinal injury, and fatal claims.”
“Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.”
Elline Demetriou is building a strong practice as a clinical negligence solicitor, handling a wide variety of cases including delayed diagnosis, surgical negligence and birth injuries.
Elline is always a pleasure to work with and always on top of complex cases.
Elline is a gifted lawyer and possesses a powerful combination of legal and medical skills, being tactically astute and having strong client care skills.
Elline is a delightful to work with and super reliable; you know she'll do a perfect job.
Osbornes Law offers experience in obstetric and fatal claims as well as niche cauda equina cases.
The team has particular expertise in cases stemming from delays in diagnosis as well as surgical injury and wrongful birth claims.
Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.
They are a very tight team. They're very friendly, helpful and obtain excellent results for clients.
A quality firm of solicitors with excellence at all levels of the team.
They know the law inside out and proactively work with counsel to drive cases forward. They are a go-to for complex claims.
Elline Demetriou supports the team on catastrophic injury cases and has a growing caseload in maternity and care home negligence.
Elline Demetriou is an up and coming associate. She is thorough and empathetic, with great client care skills.
Osbornes handles a wide range of high-value and complex clinical negligence cases, with particular expertise in birth injury, delayed cancer diagnosis, spinal injury, and fatal claims.
I am always happy to get instructions from Osbornes. They have excellent quality work, the team knows exactly what they are doing and are a real pleasure to work with. Excellent legal knowledge.
The team has excellent leadership and provide an above and beyond service for their clients.
A close knit team with excellent knowledge and technical acumen across the board.
You get a real sense that they care about clients and each other, working together to get the best results.
The team works very well together as they are genuinely kind and friendly people.
Elline Demetriou is one to watch for the future. She is determined and thoughtful, with a real dedication to her clients.
Osbornes are always professional and diligent in respect of their clients.
Osbornes has an excellent depth of experience across the team.
Across the board, they are all a pleasure to work with. They always keep a pragmatic head and all have an eye on the best outcome for the client.
Small but very effective and experienced team so every client benefits from the personal touch but also highly skilled litigation know-how. Capability of the team means they can handle all aspects of very complex cases as well as straightforward matters.
Osbornes has a skilled team of solicitors advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence matters.
Hard working, approachable, good knowledge of clinical negligence and clients’ specific conditions
A joy to work with and always 100% client focused at all times.
The clinical negligence team at Osbornes is much lauded for its ability to ‘represent the diverse range of London-based clients
Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
Osbornes provides a very intimate and personal client service which is increasingly rare in this sector.
The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.
"Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."
"Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."
"The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."
Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.
Quite simply excellent, with a highly competent and well-rounded team. They understand complex medical litigation and have been our lifesavers, and we will always owe them our immense gratitude.
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