Hill Dickinson LLP

Head of our Marine PI and Regulatory, John worked with the previous head of department, Maria Pittordis, for 28 years and has taken over the role as a result of her sad passing. 

Specialising in high-value, complex personal injury and industrial disease claims, John joined the firm in 1988 and has dealt with complex and high-value employers' liability and public liability personal injury claims for over 25 years, varying from athletes to divers. 

A marine and transport claims' specialist, he regularly visits ports and attends onboard vessels to carry out immediate post-accident investigations, liaising with the HSE, MAIB, MCA and the police, and advising in relation to both the consequent criminal prosecutions as well as the civil claims. John has significant expertise in dealing with fatal claims, psychiatric injuries and multi-party litigation in the “BOWBELLE”/“MARCHIONESS” and “COSTA CONCORDIA” litigation, and leads a team with extensive experience in GI, legionella, norovirus and sexual assault claims.

John also has specific expertise in dealing with industrial disease claims, particularly asbestos, asthma, vibration white finger and stress at work and argued the only successful date of knowledge defence for ship owners in the reported case of G Smith (deceased) -v- P&O Bulk Shipping Limited.

He regularly lectures and provides training to clients both in the UK and Europe on both personal injury and industrial disease claims.

Trained Hill Taylor Dickinson; qualified 1990; associate 1995; partner 1999; joined Hill Dickinson on merger 2006.

Law Society.

Silcoates School, Wakefield; Newcastle University (1987 LLB Hons 2(1)); College of Law, Guildford (1988 solicitors’ finals).

Tennis, golf, family.