I qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and am a member of The Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel since 2007. I deal with a wide range of cases including Road Traffic Accident, Occupiers Liability and Employer’s Liability claims and Fatal accident cases. I deal with catastrophic injury cases, amputees, spinal, psychiatric and specialise acquired brain injury cases.
Education
Manchester Metropolitan University – Legal Practice Course
Staffordshire University Law School – CPE
University of Manchester – BSc Hons Metallurgy
Career
Joined Hodge Jones & Allen, 2012
McKeowns, 2003 – 2012
Thompsons, 2001 – 2003
Admitted as a Solicitor, 1999
Client Comments
“I know that Anne will always give me her best advice and support and I have complete faith in her advice and guidance”
“Thank you so much you have been wonderful and so supportive. It has been very difficult but I was confident that you had my best interest at heart.”
“Once again, thank you for your excellent work, I am really happy with the outcome of the case and I have really appreciated the way you have been assisting me throughout this time.”
Notable Cases
My client was a Samaritan who went to the aid of a driver of a car that had broken down. While assisting to push the car out of the road another driver collided with the broken down car crushing him between the two. This resulted in serious lower leg injuries with one below knee amputation and one through knee amputation. A technical argument arose with respect to the insurance position of the broken down vehicle. This was resolved by issuing court proceedings. Rehabilitation was arranged for the injured person who suffered past losses and future losses of: earnings, transport costs (automatic car), equipment costs, gardening costs, DIY and household expenses plus prosthetic costs. In addition a sum was recovered to purchase a more suitable property. The case was settled following a round table meeting in the sum of £2.75 million.
My client was a pedestrian who was knocked down by a car on a pedestrian crossing. He suffered a serious head injury with Post Concussional Syndrome. He was unable to work after the accident. My opponents raised arguments that my client was at fault for not using the pedestrian crossing correctly. Expert evidence had to be obtained in the format of an accident reconstruction report and a video expert who analysed the partial CCTV of the incident. The matter was concluded after court proceedings were issued in the High Court. No concession were made on liability.
My client was a pedestrian who was knocked down in a car park and suffered a severe head injury together with a fracture to the wrist and ankle. My client made a good recovery from the physical injuries. However, the head injury meant that she suffered memory and concentration problems. My client was 65 years of age and there was no loss of earnings claim. A claim for the injury was made together with support in using her computer. Damages came to £45,000.
My client was a railway worker who sustained serious injuries as a result of electrocution whilst at work. An unsafe system of work was established. My client had numerous operations to revise the scarring to his face and upper body. My client was stoic and did manage to return to work. There was a claim for past loss of earnings, care and assistance and future losses relating to care and earnings. A settlement of £450,000 was achieved.
My client was a labourer who slipped and fell two metres from an icy ladder breaking his ankle. He was off work initially for six months and then managed to return. He did develop further problems and had the metal work removed from his ankle so he had a further period of time off work. This case was resolved by way of negotiation. The claim for the injury was in the region of £30,000, past loss of earnings and care £18,000 and future care loss of earnings and DIY made up the balance. The matter settled for £92,000. Liability was not an issue.
My client was a passenger in a vehicle which spun out of control, he suffered a fracture to his forearm, a fractured clavicle, an injury to his eye and understandably a serious psychological reaction. Initially the insurance company offered £50,000. This offer was rejected and subsequently the matter settled for £120,000. The Claimant had to interrupt his studies to become a skilled tradesman and the level of damages reflected compensation for the actual injuries his past loss of earnings care and assistance and some damages to reflect the difficulties he would have in undertaking his chosen trade.
Rehabilitation: A Noun: The action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction or illnessIn my practice as a Personal Injury lawyer I see myself as an essential part of a team of professionals who aim to restore the injured person to as a productive and independent lifestyle as possible.The injured person will need medical, functional, educational and vocational intervention.
It was great to see Alan Shearer back in action when he took part in the BBC documentary Alan Shearer: Dementia, Football and Me.Shearer took part in an assessment of his brain function at the Stirling University, as part of a study to assess whether excessive heading of the ball is connected to early degenerative brain disease.
Hodge Jones & Allen LLP has recently celebrated its 40 years in practice and as a partner in the personal injury team I was asked to reflect back on my own career of 22 years. The good and the bad.
