Fielding ‘strength in depth across all areas’, the personal injury section of Weightmans LLP is adept in a diverse spectrum of catastrophic injury cases, spanning polytraumatic and psychiatric injuries incurred in sports businesses, workplaces, public entities, and, in particular, road collisions. The team fields both domestic and multijurisdictional experts, such as Simon Ball, who is notably experienced in French accident law. Catherine Kearney represents defendants in catastrophic brain, spine and amputation injuries, while Shaun Lavery is a port of call for tetraplegia, paraplegia and fatal injury claims. Steve Phillips holds over 30 years’ experience in occupational diseases and mesothelioma litigation, while Philip Tracey oversees product liability injuries and catastrophic harm incurred in the sports industry. Seva Singh advises defendants on maximum severity amputation, brain and spinal cord injury litigation.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are very strong all round outfit with strength in depth across all areas. Very much a one stop shop for serious injury matters of all types.’

  • ‘Catherine Kearney is excellent. She is pragmatic, has excellent judgment and first rate client skills.’

  • ‘A well established Defendant PI firm which handles many catastrophic claims with a fairness and expedition.’

  • ‘Shaun Lavery – Weightmans is a young hugely able and industrious defence lawyer. He works very hard for his professional and insurer clients and does so delivering realistic and sensible advice timeously. He is fair minded in his approach to defending claims and has a knowledge and capability of a seasoned lawyer well beyond his year. He is an undoubted rising star. He is hugely dedicated and intellectually impressive.’

  • ‘Very helpful, proactive and knowledgeable.’

  • ‘W are very approachable, knowledgeable and I feel one of the best defendant insurance firms in the market. They are willing to go the extra mile in terms of service and added value.’

  • ‘I have worked with Weightmans for many years. They quickly familiarised themselves with our business and seamlessly adapted their services to suit our needs. On an individual or team level, we have enjoyed a friendly, efficient and competitive service based on a considerable breadth of knowledge and experience. Clients requiring front-line legal claims services and complementary management support will find that Weightmans will enhance their business.’

  • ‘Without exception Weightmans’ lawyers are friendly and professional – a subtle balance of expert clout and bon ami.'

Key clients

  • Zurich
  • Motor Insurers Bureau
  • AIG Europe
  • AXAXL Insurance
  • PwC (Chester Street Holdings)
  • Municipal Mutual Insurance
  • Tesco Underwriting
  • InterEurope AG Insurance
  • Covea Insurance
  • Octagon Insurance
  • Travelers Insurance Co
  • HDI Global
  • Hiscox Insurance
  • Esure Insurance
  • Hastings Direct
  • Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Markel Insurance
  • DCL Insurance
  • Tradex
  • Lidl Stores
  • Hundreds of Local Authorities and Police Authorities

Work highlights

  • Acted in a claim where the court’s found in favour of both defendants and the Court’s analysis provides helpful guidance on the operation of the defence in the case of riding accidents.|
  • Instructed to advise on a £22m+ case notable both in terms of liability and damages liability.
  • Advised on an RTA in France where claimant claimed £15m+. The claim was issued pre-Brexit, and the applicable law was French law.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Rob Williams, Will Quinn, Chris Ball, David Holt, Peter Forshaw, Jim Byard, Pamela Stevenson, Jim Bryant

Other key lawyers

Kathryn Hinchley, Catherine Kearney, Shaun Lavery, Steve Philips, Seva Singh, Philip Tracey