Biography
I joined Irwin Mitchell as a solicitor in September 2007 and have since worked as part of Colin Ettinger's team. I became an Associate in September 2011,a Senior Associate in 2017, and a Partner in 2018. I assist clients who have sustained life-changing injuries as a result of road traffic collisions, accidents at work or acts of violence. I typically represent clients who have suffered brain, spinal cord or severe orthopaedic injuries.
The main focus for me is to settle liability for the injuries sustained at the earliest opportunity. During this time, our support and rehabilitation coordinator (an occupational therapist) will become involved to maximise my client’s entitlement to statutory services, to organise and chase up referrals for example; anything which will help my client and their family. Once liability is determined, the legal claim can be used to fund a client's rehabilitation and maximise recovery. Our team's aim is to put a care package in place together with all the recommended therapies in order to restore our client's quality of life as soon as possible after the accident.
I am a member of APIL and an accredited Senior Litigator. I am also one of the few solicitors who has obtained APIL’s specialist Brain Injury accreditation.
I was a Trustee for Headway North West London (Brent and Harrow) for 4 years and I now sit on the Board of Roadpeace, the national road safety charity.
I have previously published an article for APIL dealing with split indexation of periodical payments in a case where my client was a ventilated tetraplegic who had decided to remain in a nursing home. We were able to ensure that annual payments made for the rest of his life were indexed to reflect both the rising costs of his general care but also of the nursing care he required.
Cases of Note:
Spinal Injury
Many of my clients have sustained a spinal injury. In such cases, I have successfully used the claim as a means of getting the rehabilitation they need in place for them at the earliest possibility. This approach focuses on maximising my client’s quality of life and ultimately, also assists in maximising damages recovered. Settlements have ranged from £5m to £13.25m.
Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury is sometimes an invisible injury. Clients will need to be seen by specialist medical experts and clinicians to ensure the practical difficulties they face on a day to day basis come to the fore. Again, using the claim to obtain interim payments and securing early therapeutic intervention and support is the way Irwin Mitchell approaches such cases. Settlements have ranged from £485,000 to £1.5m.
Orthopaedic Injury
Over the years I have acted for clients who have sustained a multitude of orthopaedic injuries. They may cause life long difficulties for clients when recovery is not 100 per cent or increased mobility restrictions as the client ages. Such injuries may affect people’s ability to return to pre-injury work and loss of earnings is often a head of loss which needs to be thoroughly investigated. Settlements in excess of £300,000 have been secured.
What Inspired You To Get Into Law?
Agatha Christie novels for the problem-solving element definitely played their part. I also wanted to work in a profession where I would have day to day client contact and make a difference.
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?
Clients come to us at a very distressing moment in their lives. The most rewarding part of my role has to be, without a doubt, seeing clients' quality of life improve dramatically as a result of the legal claim; knowing that during the life of the claim, it can be used to get interim payments and maximise a client’s rehabilitation; and then at the end knowing that the clients’ future care, equipment and therapeutic needs will be met so that he/she can have the best quality of life.
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
I would have to say working as part of a team who is committed and passionate about what they do. We have great resources from our colleagues in support departments and there is a wealth of knowledge which is shared on specialist cases.
What Do You Do Away From The Office?
Playing 5-a-side football with the Irwin Mitchell team despite my advancing years, good food and the theatre are what I enjoy in my free time, although my main love has always been travel.
