Defending personal injury claims – how we can help
Our personal injury defence lawyers are equipped to defend clients facing a wide range of claims, whether via their insurers or on a private basis. We are able to assist you throughout the process, from pre-action correspondence all the way to trial, and at all times adopt a pragmatic approach to ensure the most cost-effective management of the case.
We have particular experience in defending sports-related personal injury claims, particularly amateur sports coaches and individuals, for example:
- Football coaches
- Wrestling coaches
- Diving instructors
- Fencing coaches
- Judo instructors
- Leisure centres
We have defended several cases all the way to trial and will always fight our client’s corner where merited, but from the outset we will also engage with other parties’ lawyers in a spirit of dialogue and communication, to ensure the best possible outcome. We will identify, at an early stage, cases which should be settled and those which can and should be contested, always with one eye on minimising both costs and the stress endured by our clients in what can be unsettling proceedings.
Pre-action correspondence
If you have received correspondence from a claimant’s solicitors setting out allegations against you (known as a “letter of claim”), it is important to seek expert legal advice as soon as possible. There are set rules and timeframes within which you will be expected to reply to the allegations in a “letter of response”, and our team of personal injury defence solicitors can help you make sure you use that time effectively, in order to produce a robust response – or, where necessary, to identify the best way of settling the claim before court proceedings are issued. If necessary, we have access to a bank of experienced medico-legal experts, who can help you to analyse the extent of a claimant’s injuries and, more importantly, whether or not those injuries can be attributed to any actions on the part of the defendant. We can then help you to devise the appropriate strategy and will correspond with the other side on your behalf. If it is not possible to resolve the matter pre-action, we are able to accept service of court proceedings on your behalf and go on the record with the court as your representatives.
Court proceedings
If you have been told that a claimant is going to serve court proceedings on you, and even more so if you have actually received court documentation, it is vital that you seek advice and representation as soon as possible, to ensure that all court deadlines are met, and that your defence case is put together as effectively as possible. Hempsons’ team of personal injury defence lawyers has years of experience of dealing with court proceedings, and as a result we have access to barristers widely-regarded as leaders in the field. That means we can ensure you have access to the very best representation and advice, exactly when you need it most.
If you are being sued for personal injury, contact us today to speak to one of our lawyers and ensure you have the best possible advice from the outset.
Services
PeopleView all
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- London
- fitness to practise; criminal defence
- t.francis@hempsons.co.uk
- 020 7484 7547
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- Manchester
- crime and regulatory defence
- j.rowley@hempsons.co.uk
- 0161 234 2423
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- Manchester
- crime, regulatory and healthcare litigation
- k.sheldrick@hempsons.co.uk
- 0161 234 2467
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“[Adam is] a real thinker... If you have a problem case, he can find a way to tackle it.”
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“He’s unflappable, calm and level-headed. He’s good at managing the stress of the client.”
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“I would describe him as being great in a case analysis – he has a very intellectual, careful and cautious approach, and he is great at determining strategy.”
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“Very astute, switched-on and practical.”
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““[Simon is] a vigorous and effective advocate” who is “very able and thorough.” “He continues to be highly regarded for his representation of healthcare practitioners."”
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“[Simon has] robust advice combined with tactical awareness and a good client manner. He is well regarded in the marketplace for his representation of medical professionals facing disciplinary proceedings.
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“He’s very experienced and knows the regulation of medical professionals inside out. He’s very thorough and very knowledgeable.”
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“Simon Eastwood is a standout lawyer who is well known for defending healthcare professionals before the GDC and GMC. Sources say: “He is hugely experienced. What he doesn’t know about regulatory work isn’t worth knowing.”
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“Friendly, unpretentious and prepared to work hard to achieve results.”
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“[He is] ‘a very astute and thoughtful tactician’ with sources commending his ability to ‘identify the real issues and consequences of problems and devise the appropriate strategy.”
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“[Stephen is]…very bright, very clever and works incredibly well with clients, counsel and legal experts”
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“He is very loyal to his clients, very tenacious and absolutely dedicated.”
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“[Stephen Hooper] asks the right questions and takes a systematic approach.”
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“Stephen is described as] an ‘imaginative’ associate with a ‘refreshing approach to legal problems.”
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“Stephen Hooper is thoughtful, hardworking, and approachable.”
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“Huge commitment and passion for the job without being unrealistic about what can be achieved... [He is] entirely straightforward, and he fights very hard for his client. He’s the ideal solicitor.”
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“The highly experienced Surjit Dubb receives praise for his proficiency in "managing the case and the anxiety of the doctor."”
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“He has an excellent manner with clients. He’s very realistic and very down-to-earth.”
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“He’s a very thoughtful solicitor who thinks strategically and tactically.”
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“Has unmatched client care and attention to detail.”
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“Surjit is a cool, calm strategist who inspires confidence in his clients and fear in his opponents.”