Biography
I specialise in representing patients who have developed asbestos related illnesses and their families. I work with my clients to help pinpoint where they were exposed to asbestos dust. Usually, exposure has arisen in an employment context, but asbestos might also have been present in the schools people have attended, released into the atmosphere by a nearby factory, or brought home on the contaminated clothing of loved ones.
Once we have established the most likely source of exposure, my job is to present the case to the other side, and seek a damages payment from them. These settlements make a real difference to my clients' lives; ensuring patients have access to private medical treatment, funding care packages, and providing financial support for families into the future. We can also recover costs on behalf of charities that support our clients during their illnesses and have recovered thousands of pounds for hospices.
Key highlights
- Negotiating a settlement of over half a million pounds, to provide ongoing live-in care for the widow of a late client, who had previously looked after her 24/7
- Concluding a case for a mesothelioma patient within 6 months of instruction, with a settlement of over a quarter of a million plus provision for funding his ongoing private medical treatment
- Successfully defending an attempt by a defendant to resile (backtrack) from an admission in respect of liability
- Securing seven figure settlements in two recent claims on behalf of mesothelioma patients who were still working at the time of their diagnoses, with young families to support
- Bringing successful claims on behalf of clients suffering from unusual asbestos related illnesses (retro-peritoneal fibrosis and testicular mesothelioma) in which epidemiology evidence was required to show the link between these conditions and asbestos exposure
- Notable successes in non-occupational cases, including claims arising from asbestos in schools, hospitals and council properties.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
It sounds like a cliché, but my colleagues are genuinely one of the best things about Irwin Mitchell. It’s a privilege to work within a team of hugely experienced and talented lawyers, benefits advisors and support & rehabilitation co-ordinators, who genuinely care about our clients, and doing the best that we can to support them holistically through the legal process. Life here extends beyond the law, too, and I enjoy active roles within the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation, which raises money to support worthwhile causes; IM Powered, our firm-wide gender equality diversity group; and the Cambridge office social committee.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Securing an admission from or the entering of a judgment against a defendant is a highlight of the job. Although this can be a bittersweet moment as it confirms that my clients were let down by the employers or occupiers that owed them a duty of care, it is a step towards achieving justice. Admissions also provide peace of mind as they ensure that we will be able to recover damages through the legal claims process, which can be of huge comfort to patients facing life limiting illnesses.
What inspired you to get into law?
I am a good communicator and can be persuasive so I always liked the idea of constructing legal arguments and negotiating with defendants. I am a people person, and so I knew also that I wanted to work in a career which would enable me to help others, and make a positive difference to their lives. Personal legal services therefore felt as though it would be a good fit for me and so I studied law at university before undertaking my training contract at Irwin Mitchell. I feel very fortunate now to work within a rewarding area of law where I can help clients during a very difficult period of their lives.
What do you do away from the office?
Much of my spare time is spent looking after my energetic toddler, and I work flexibly, so that she and I can spend every Friday together, too. In addition to being a mum, I love travel and distance running, as well as combining the two by taking part in races abroad. I regularly volunteer at my local park runs in SW London, and am an enthusiastic member of Midnight Runners, a global running community. I am sociable, and enjoy going to new restaurants, shows and exhibitions with friends in town. When I get a moment to myself, I like reading, listening to podcasts and attempting to cook.