Ian Bailey 

About My Role

I am a partner at the Leeds office and lead the workplace injuries and disease team. Essentially this means that I help to recover compensation for those people who have become seriously ill or have suffered very serious injuries as a result of their work.

Since 1996, I have pursued many cases for victims of asbestos diseases who worked or lived close to the infamous J.W. Roberts factory in Leeds. I have helped the families of many clients who have been fatally injured in accidents at work, in agriculture, working on the railways or working the construction industry. I have acted for many clients who have sustained brain injuries and spinal injury often following falls at work.

I acted for the Claimant in the Court of Appeal case of Cox v Transco. I acted for the Claimant in the reported case of Gardner v C. Watson & Sons, an important case in terms of insurance cover.

I am committed to ensuring that my clients receive full and proper compensation for their injuries or illness. 

"Pragmatic and experienced."
Chambers and Partners Directory 2011/12

Memberships

• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
• Leeds Court User Group
• Leeds and West Riding Medico-Legal Society
• Headway York

More About Me

What Inspired You To Get Into Law?

I suppose what first got me hooked was the challenge of acting for David against Goliath and ensuring that, in so far as the law allowed, my client was helped to put his or her life back together following serious injury. I think that also applies where my clients have lost their loved ones in accidents, where I see it as my role to make sure that severe financial hardship does not result for a spouse and family as a consequence of the loss of a wife, husband or a partner. 

What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect is the number of clients I stay in touch with after conclusion of their cases and see how their lives have developed since the often terrible event that meant they came to see me for help in the first place. I hope this means that they are keen to tell me how they have moved on and what a difference our help has made!

What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?

I have worked at Irwin Mitchell for almost all of my working life and all of my career since qualification. The thing about working here is that the place is always changing and evolving. 

What Do You Do Away From The Office?

I enjoy socialising with friends. I write match reports for the local newspaper and coach a boys' football team. I am learning to play the guitar again (hopefully with some improvement this time). After that and a very busy family life, there's not much time left really!