Personal injury - defendant

Oct 1 2010 The Journal

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP, Stockton-on-Tees
Crutes Law Firm, Newcastle
Dickinson Dees LLP, Newcastle
Eversheds LLP, Newcastle
Sintons LLP, Newcastle
BHP Law, Durham
Beachcroft LLP, Newcastle
Hay & Kilner, Newcastle
Ward Hadaway, Newcastle

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has a particular reputation for its occupational disease and motor work, acting for a strong roster of insurers such as Allianz and Aviva, with 2009 seeing an increase in instructions from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Headed by Richard Clarke, who manages the general liability work, the team also features occupational disease expert Toby Scott.

Crutes Law Firm’s public sector strength has ensured the continued growth of its local authority unit, which now advises more than 55 local authority clients. The firm also remains on the panel of the three main public sector insurers: Zurich, AIG/Gallagher Bassett, and Travelers Insurance Company. The firm also has specialist claims and insurance litigation units, under the purview of David Drewe.

Dickinson Dees LLP’s Alison Gray is an insurance litigation specialist who advises corporate clients on work-related accident claims.

While the departure of David Weatherburn to Beachcroft LLP’s newly opened Newcastle office has undoubtedly been a blow, Eversheds LLP retains a presence in occupational disease work through Lex Dowie.

Sintons LLP’s practice head Jamie McCabe settled more than 25 £100,000-plus cases in 2009, and was appointed as a panel solicitor by Liverpool Victoria to deal exclusively with high-value (£500,000-plus) cases. The practice remains on the panels of Provident, Tokyo Marine, QBE, Southern Rock and Sompo.

While primarily focusing on claimant personal injury matters, BHP Law has the capacity to handle matters for defendants, through Robin Winskell.

Despite coming on to the scene as recently as November 2008, Beachcroft LLP has made strong strides in the sector thanks to Catherine Burt. It receives instructions from Zurich Insurance, and was asked to provide BUPA with a bespoke claims-handling service for its UK care homes business together with a dedicated litigation team.

Clients rate the team at Hay & Kilner as “very experienced and knowledgeable in relation to disease work”, providing advice that is “to the point and never overcomplicates an issue”. It is currently defending a number of asbestos claims brought by individuals where no insurance cover could be located. Alun Williams “has a good rapport with clients”.

Clients “have no hesitation in recommending” Ward Hadaway’s defendant personal injury practice. The team acts for over 60 NHS organisations as well as English Heritage. Jeffrey Keeble and Kathryn Myers are the key figures.