Michael has been a specialist personal injury practitioner throughout his career. His practice is exclusively in multi-track litigation, predominantly in the field of larger loss/serious injury cases, including catastrophic injuries (see Serious Injury). He accepts instructions on behalf of Claimants and Defendants across the whole range of multi-track injury and fatal claims, from single site orthopaedic injuries to polytrauma and chronic persistent pain/pain disorders.
Michael is highly regarded by his clients for his exacting standards of service, meticulous attention to detail, and mastery of complex causation matters, as well as his understanding of the differing needs and expectations of lay/insurer and professional clients alike.
In-keeping with Chambers' ethos, Michael is always happy to discuss cases informally with solicitors prior to formal instructions. He is available for in-house training to professional clients.
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Michael regularly advises, drafts, and appears in large loss claims comprising head/brain injuries, amputations, and other life changing injuries. Particular examples of Michael's current and recent cases include;
- Brain injuries, polytrauma and life changing injuries involving questions of capacity, care regimes, case management, and accommodation claims, with multiple expert witnesses.
- Amputation (including elective amputation)
- Spinal cord injury
- Chronic pain disorders, particularly those with a psychiatric element
- Debilitating psychiatric injury
He accepts instructions on behalf of Claimants and Defendants. His highest value work tends to be for Claimants, with insurer clients usually instructing him in claims involving dishonesty, inflated claims, and those with complex causation.
Michael is highly regarded by his clients for his exacting standards of service, meticulous attention to detail, and mastery of complex causation matters, as well as his understanding of the differing needs and expectations of lay/insurer and professional clients alike. In keeping with Chambers' ethos, Michael is always happy to discuss cases informally with solicitors prior to formal instructions.
Inquests, Regulatory and Professional Discipline
Michael has considerable experience in dealing with the legal implications of fatal accidents and accepts instructions to assist in inquests in appropriate cases. He has appeared in a number of inquests over the years, including with a jury.
Civil Litigation and Costs
Content
Polytrauma including catastrophic brachial plexus injury
Involved yet to occur elective through-shoulder amputation and claim for provision of cutting-edge LUKE arm prosthetic from the USA. Claim settled in mediation for £6M (for the Claimant with Marc Willems QC).
Personal Injury Claim
Traumatic amputation of a 75-year-old woman?s leg above the knee in a bus crash. Claim settled in the region of £1M (for the Claimant acting alone).
Family Personal Injury
Acted for a family struck by a taxi whilst crossing the road. Adults sustained brain injuries and life changing orthopaedic injuries.
Disputed Personal Injury Claim
For a Claimant who developed fibromyalgia after a bicycle accident. Causation was disputed. The claim concluded in a negotiated settlement for £200,000.
Personal Injury RTA Claim
For D1 driver in six-figure claim for shoulder injuries arising out of minor RTA. Case involved novus actus and negligent diagnosis and surgery by D2 surgeon. Settled in round table settlement meeting after 4 years of litigation, with D1 bearing only a £20,000 liability for damages.
Personal Injury at Work
Amputation of fingers and hand injuries by an electric saw at work (for the Claimant). Claim settled despite a denial of liability and assertion that the claim had been previously compromised at a lower amount.
Personal Injury Claim at Work
Six-figure settlement for Claimant whose thumb was amputated when defective inspection panel of a generator failed and dropped. Liability was denied.
