Personal Injury
Chris accepts instructions across all areas of personal injury work, including (but not limited to) the areas mentioned below.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving road traffic accidents. Chris has taken part in countless road traffic accident trials and is an experienced cross-examiner. As well as liability trials, Chris has a particular interest in cases where the causation of injury has been denied. Chris has frequently acted for Claimants who have been wrongly accused of exaggerating or fabricating their injuries. Chris has an excellent understanding of the case law concerning dishonesty and is always ready to mount a robust defence.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving accidents on the public highway. Chris has an excellent understanding of the law concerning highways maintainable at public expense and has written a well-received article on the subject. Chris has successfully assisted several Claimants in identifying ancient highways, which can provide crucial assistance in a Highways Act claim. Chris maintains a mixed practice (acting for Claimants and Defendants) and is therefore alive to the issues which Claimants and highway authorities can both face.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving employer’s liability. Chris has represented many Claimants bringing claims against their employers and has had a number of important successes. Chris has successfully represented prison officers, teachers, warehouse workers, council staff, and more. Chris has recently obtained a significant settlement at JSM for a young man injured through excessively strenuous manual handling.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving claims against landlords, whether representing Claimants or the landlords themselves. Chris has an excellent understanding of the relevant law, including the Defective Premises Act 1972, the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and common law. Chris has written another well-received article examining both the Defective Premises Act 1972 and the supporting case law.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving industrial disease. Chris has extensive experience of cases involving noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), whole-body vibration syndrome, and cases involving exposure to sensitising chemicals. Chris has successfully represented clients in trials and Joint Settlement Meetings. Chris draws on his scientific background to gain a deep understanding of the scientific concepts which underpin industrial disease, including (for NIHL) the identification of notches and bulges, the calculation of average noise levels (Leq), the dose-response relationship between noise and hearing loss, and so on. Chris also has a strong understanding of the law concerning limitation (including applications under Section 33 of the Limitation Act 1980). Chris recently obtained the substitution of a Defendant out of time in an industrial disease claim under CPR 19.6.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving military claims. Having been elected to the Attorney General’s Panel in 2023, Chris has represented the armed forces in cases involving non-freezing cold injuries (NFCI) as well as more conventional accident claims. Chris was led in the important case of Mantey v Ministry of Defence [2023] EWHC 761, where a finding of dishonesty was secured against a soldier who had pursued a claim for £1.6 million in damages. Chris also acts, where appropriate, for Claimants.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving holiday illness. Chris treats these cases with real care and gains results. Chris has extensive experience of holiday illness claims on paper and in person (including a notable success in February 2020 in a trial in York County Court, with the Claimant beating a Part 36 offer). Chris has an excellent understanding of the case law, including Wood and Wood v TUI Travel Plc [2017] EWCA Civ 11, TUI UK Limited v Griffiths [2023] UKSC 48, and others.
Chris regularly acts in cases involving accidents abroad. Chris has acted in cases where there have been difficult arguments about jurisdiction and choice of law (the latter involving Rome II, or the Private International Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) 1995 Act). Chris has recently advised on a case where careful consideration was needed to see whether the substantive law was that of England and Wales, or that of a particular African country.
Chris regularly represents clients in criminal injuries compensation appeals. Chris has represented a number of clients and has obtained substantial compensation (including £54,950 for an unpleasant brain injury). Chris has a thorough understanding of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme and the Social Entitlement Chamber Rules.
