7 best medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland (2026)
On our October 2026 scoring, the best medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland are Maurice Blackburn, Shine Lawyers and Connolly Suthers. We score all 11 firms on the same public records, not case results. Of these, 6 have a QLS Accredited Specialist and 3 appear in Doyle’s Guide 2025 or 2026. No firm pays to rank.
Written and fact-checked by Marshall Fenech, Editor. Firm facts checked 20 October 2026. How we rank firms.
At a glance
|
Firms ranked, top 7 listed |
11 |
|---|---|
|
With a QLS Accredited Specialist |
6 |
|
In Doyle’s Guide 2025 or 2026 |
3 |
|
Highest score |
97/100 |
|
Average Google rating(10 rated) |
4.7★ |
Facts checked 20 Oct 2026.
The 7 best medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland, ranked
1 Maurice Blackburn
97/100Regional and remote Queensland access. 16 QLD offices including Mackay, Gladstone and Gympie, plus Mount Isa by appointment.
- Has QLS Specialist
- Doyle's Leading
How Maurice Blackburn scores 97
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Michelle James + 4 more | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Leading 2026 | 20/20 |
| Google rating | 4.7★ (373 reviews) | 17/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 8 of 8 | 10/10 |
| Queensland office network | 10 regions | 10/10 |
2 Shine Lawyers
80/100Statewide office coverage. 25 Queensland locations listed, from Cairns and Townsville to Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
- Has QLS Specialist
- 7 of 8 claim types
How Shine Lawyers scores 80
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Jodie Willey | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Listed in other areas only | 6/20 |
| Google rating | 4.5★ (195 reviews) | 15/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 7 of 8 | 9/10 |
| Queensland office network | 9 regions | 10/10 |
3 Connolly Suthers
75/100North Queensland claims. Townsville full-service firm (founded 1895) with an Ayr office and a QLS-accredited personal injuries specialist.
- Has QLS Specialist
- 7 of 8 claim types
How Connolly Suthers scores 75
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | William John | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Not listed | 0/20 |
| Google rating | 4.9★ (396 reviews) | 19/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 7 of 8 | 9/10 |
| Queensland office network | 4 regions | 7/10 |
4 Creevey Horrell Lawyers
64/100Medical negligence claims in regional southern and western Queensland. Full-service firm with offices from Toowoomba to Mount Isa.
- Has QLS Specialist
- Doyle's Recommended
How Creevey Horrell Lawyers scores 64
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Clare Terese Creevey + 1 more | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Recommended 2026 | 12/20 |
| Google rating | Not yet recorded | 0/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 4 of 8 | 5/10 |
| Queensland office network | 4 regions | 7/10 |
5 Arthur Browne & Associates
64/100Townsville compensation claims with a QLS Accredited Specialist and access to Legal Aid civil law funding
- Has QLS Specialist
- 5 of 8 claim types
How Arthur Browne & Associates scores 64
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Simon Langley Turner | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Not listed | 0/20 |
| Google rating | 4.7★ (52 reviews) | 15/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 5 of 8 | 6/10 |
| Queensland office network | 1 region | 3/10 |
6 wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers
64/100Townsville injury claims in a full-service regional firm whose injury team is led by a QLS Accredited Specialist
- Has QLS Specialist
- 4 of 8 claim types
How wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers scores 64
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Michelle Tracey Morton + 1 more | 25/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Not listed | 0/20 |
| Google rating | 4.7★ (23 reviews) | 14/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 4 of 8 | 5/10 |
| Queensland office network | 2 regions | 5/10 |
7 Slater and Gordon
61/100Institutional abuse claims. One of two firms in Doyle's 2026 'Leading' tier for Queensland plaintiff abuse claims, with 14 QLD offices.
- Doyle's Recommended
- 8 of 8 claim types
How Slater and Gordon scores 61
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | None found on the QLS register | 0/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Doyle's Guide 2025/2026 – medical negligence | Recommended 2026 | 12/20 |
| Google rating | 4.4★ (137 reviews) | 14/20 |
| Published fee terms | Published on the firm's website | 15/15 |
| Claim types offered | 8 of 8 | 10/10 |
| Queensland office network | 8 regions | 10/10 |
4 more medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland are in the law firm directory, ranked the same way.
What stands out
How medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland compare with Queensland
|
Measure |
Medical negligence lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland |
All Queensland firms |
|---|---|---|
|
Firms with a QLS Accredited Specialist |
55% |
27% |
|
Firms in Doyle’s Guide 2025 or 2026 |
55% |
36% |
|
Firms that publish their fee terms |
100% |
100% |
|
Average score (out of 100) |
66 |
50 |
|
Average score of the top 10 |
68 |
91 |
What to know about medical negligence claims in Queensland
Read the full guide: medical negligence claims in Queensland.
About Townsville and North Queensland
Townsville, described as Australia’s 13th largest city, hosts government, community and business headquarters for northern Queensland. The city is also home to Lavarack Barracks, an international airport and the largest cargo and container port in Northern Australia, according to the Queensland Government. The Queensland Government groups Townsville and North Queensland as one region with these urban centres: Townsville. Population: 196,800. Postcodes: 4806–4820, 4831–4850.
Local councils: Townsville City Council. Magistrates courthouses in the region include Townsville Magistrates Court. Most personal injury claims start with pre-court notice steps. Claims that reach court are heard in the Magistrates, District or Supreme Court depending on their value.
Source: Townsville and North Queensland (Queensland Government), checked 20 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Related rankings
How the score works
Every firm is scored out of 100 on public records: QLS specialist accreditation (25), Doyle’s Guide (20), Google rating (20), published fee terms (15), claim types (10) and Queensland offices (10). Firms can’t pay for a place.
Check any of these firms side by side
The tool starts with this list’s top three. Swap any firm, or change the area or claim type: it covers every Queensland firm in our directory. For more ways to compare, see injury law firm comparison.
Top 3 Medical Negligence Lawyers in Townsville and North Queensland, compared side by side
The highest-scoring of 11 matching firms. Swap any firm using the lists above.
| Fact | Maurice Blackburn | Shine Lawyers | Connolly Suthers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Score (out of 100) | 97/100 | 94/100 | 75/100 |
| Best for | Regional and remote Queensland access. 16 QLD offices including Mackay, Gladstone and Gympie, plus Mount Isa by appointment. | Statewide office coverage. 25 Queensland locations listed, from Cairns and Townsville to Toowoomba and the Gold Coast. | North Queensland claims. Townsville full-service firm (founded 1895) with an Ayr office and a QLS-accredited personal injuries specialist. |
| Has a QLS Accredited Specialist | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Published fee terms | No Win, No Fee cost agreements are offered in practice areas including road, work and public place injury, med…No Win, No Fee cost agreements are offered in practice areas including road, work and public place injury, medical negligence, abuse, superannuation and dust diseases, 'only when we believe your case is reasonably likely to be successful'. No Win, No Fee covers professional fees only. 'In most cases' disbursements such as court filing fees or medical reports 'must be paid whether you win or lose', except in class actions and dust disease matters where disbursements are payable only if successful. A written estimate and Costs Agreement are provided before work starts. Free claim check offered. | Shine says it provides 'the majority of our services on a No Win, No Fee* basis' (conditions apply). Legal fee…Shine says it provides 'the majority of our services on a No Win, No Fee* basis' (conditions apply). Legal fees are charged only if the case is won and compensation is received. If the case is unsuccessful, no legal fees are payable. The client 'may need to pay for disbursements relevant to your case (e.g. a report by a medical expert)'. Obligation-free initial consultation. No percentage, uplift or 50/50 detail is published on the Brisbane page. | Offers a no-win no-fee service in traffic, workplace, public liability, professional negligence, medical negli…Offers a no-win no-fee service in traffic, workplace, public liability, professional negligence, medical negligence, life insurance and super claims, under which 'you will only be charged our legal fee if your case is won'. Legal fees cover time and general expenses, and 'in some cases this extends to disbursements such as expert reports and court fees'. Terms are set out in a written client agreement. Not always available, e.g. complex medical law claims, where clients may need to contribute to upfront investigative reports. Free initial consultation. |
| Doyle's Guide | Leading 2026 | Leading 2026 | Not listed |
| Google rating | 4.7 (373) | 4.5 (195) | 4.9 (396) |
| Queensland offices | Brisbane +15 offices | Brisbane +24 offices | Townsville |
| Claim types | 8 of 8 Abuse claims, Car accident (CTP), Dust diseases, Medical negligence, Motorcycle accident, Public liability, TPD & superannuation, Workers compensation | 7 of 8 Abuse claims, Car accident (CTP), Dust diseases, Medical negligence, Public liability, TPD & superannuation, Workers compensation | 7 of 8 Car accident (CTP), Dust diseases, Medical negligence, Motorcycle accident, Public liability, TPD & superannuation, Workers compensation |
| Firm type | National firm | Listed company | Independent Queensland firm |
| Founded | 1919 | 1976 | 1895 |
| Facts checked | 20 October 2026 | 20 October 2026 | 20 October 2026 |
Facts come from each firm’s profile, with sources and check dates. How scores work.
Sources
How firms are scored: how we rank Queensland injury lawyers. Claim deadlines: Queensland claim time limits.