Stephen's Personal Injury practice comprises predominantly industrial disease and employer's liability work for claimants. In particular, his experience of asbestos-induced disease is extensive and includes regular work in the High Court in London. He also has considerable experience of HAVS and deafness work. Stephen's employer's liability practice is mainly union-funded/sourced work but he welcomes instructions from defendants and continues to be instructed by certain public and self-insured bodies. He also has long experience of CICAP work, appearing in hearings nationwide. Stephen's practice and call means he is very familiar with catastrophic injury claims and their associated complexities. He has substantial experience in trial and hearing advocacy which in turn enables him to deal effectively but sensitively with, in particular, challenging clients.
Clinical negligence
Stephen has been instructed in Clinical Negligence matters for most of his call, predominantly for the Claimant but also for the Defendant. His experience in this area includes a number of trials and hearings. He is able to provide drafting and advice (in conference, writing and at the telephone) at short notice. His aim in this area, as in his PI practice, is to identify the real issues and give practical, realistic and understandable advice.
Professional Negligence
Stephen's Personal Injury practice combines with his Professional Negligence experience which, is, predominantly, related to solicitor's negligence arising out of failed Personal Injury claims but he also has experience of accountant's and surveyor's negligence.
Pepper v O'Driscoll QBD (2000). Claim for rare but serious psychiatric condition caused by minor RTA - claim settled two weeks before trial for £1.25M.
Rimmel v Ayris QBD 17.5.00. Brain damaged teenage passenger in car - drunken driver - contributory negligence and quantum in dispute. Judgment approved for £480K.
Hemson v Paul QBD November 2000. Defending claim for serious injuries caused by jet-ski incident - claim settled for £500K.
Simpson v A I Dairies, 17.2.01 CA. Extent of duty owed by occupier of premises to fireman to prevent injury occurring during fire-fighting activities in a non-negligently started fire.
Hale v Metropolitan Police Commissioner QBD December 2000. Fatal motorcycle accident - liability of MPC for placing of speed tapes on road - causation and quantum in dispute. Settlement of £350K.
Williams v. Sturman QBD 2005. Claim by dependant adult cerebral palsy daughter of Deceased who died of mesothelioma. Issue whether such a claim recoverable and if so how much. Settlement approved at £120K.
Ryan v. Vincent QBD April 2006. Claim by teenage boy for devastating leg injuries in an RTA. Court approved settlement in sum of £250K.
Re: Dowdles CICAP November 2005. Severely brain injured applicant. Award £985K before deduction for contributory conduct.
Motorbikes (wife permitting), his wife and children, food (eating as well as cooking it) and American crime novels (but not necessarily in that order).
