Background
I qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 and have always worked in Personal Injury claims representing Claimants. I became a Partner in the firm I trained in (I am an ILEX qualified Solicitor, so worked and studied at the same time) within 2 years of qualifying. We worked predominantly for the AA and I was exposed to all types of Road Traffic Accident claims. I later became a Partner in another firm and then Head of Litigation in another. For the last 12 years I have specialised in Catastrophic Injury claims, predominantly as a result of Motorcycle accidents. I specialise in multiple injury claims and amputation work. At any one time I have acted for up to 6 amputation clients as well as multiple injured clients (e.g. brachial plexus injury, pelvis injury, bladder injury, broken leg with foot drop, psychological/PTSD injuries, all for the same person).My expertise is in providing excellent support for the client and his family, getting Rehabilitation set up and in place and ensuring that all expert reports support each other and the claims being made. I have settled in more than 20 claims in excess of £2,000,000 in the last 10 years.
What are you most passionate about in your job?
It sounds trite but making a difference. My clients have all suffered life-changing injuries and are suddenly thrown into a position they were not expecting or wanting. Their whole family life changes. I find it rewarding to provide help and support following the accident, to help my clients understand the process of making a claim and providing emotional and financial support (by obtaining interim payments) to attempt to lessen the impact upon them. All of my clients’ lives change when involved in an accident and although ultimately all I can obtain is compensation, I find it rewarding and satisfying that I can get my clients sufficient compensation that financial worries are not one of the worries that they take into the future. I generally run claims that last 3+ years, and I thrive on being there to help my clients through this period and to attempt to set them up for the future, whatever it may bring.
What are your personal interests outside of work?
I used to play hockey and squash but my knees now won’t allow it. I walk (I did the Cotswold Way Challenge in 2018 walking 100km from Bath to Cheltenham through the night in under 24 hours), cycle and go to the gym. I have an allotment and grow a variety of fruit and vegetables. I enjoy cooking and have a Pizza oven in my garden and a BBQ and Smoker. I have a grandson who my wife and I look after each week and who keeps us on our toes.