Weightmans draws upon the strengths of the broader national practice to provide comprehensive assistance for clients across a range of sectors. Charles Heppenstall is the regional practice head for Leeds, bringing his particular specialisms in serious injury with chronic pain and invisible injury claims to the group. Heppenstall works alongside national head for local authorities, Helen Brown, whose expertise is in social care, bullying, harassment, and stress, and technical lead for large loss, Lindsay Staddon, who has extensive experience relating to the full spectrum of claims. Blaise Smith is also of note, working exclusively for insurers in catastrophic injury claims and with a track record in fatal accidents and major product liability mandates. National insurance practice head Rob Williams oversees matters from the Liverpool office.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team led by Charles Heppenstall in insurance defendant PI is a standout team who work brilliantly together to provide a top quality service to the insurance sector.’
‘Charles Heppenstall is the stand-out individual. Responsive, effective and charming, he gives excellent practical advice and is great to work with.’
‘Weightmans have a very strong personal injury defendant team. Their approach to claims work is very good and they provide excellent legal advice.’
‘Blaise Smith is excellent: providing advice on particularly difficult and unique issues whilst maintaining an eye on the commercial outcome.’
‘Well known firm in the insurance PI market.’
‘Blaise Smith is a most experienced partner in catastrophic PI, with a particularly strong forensic knowledge of the law and a creative brain.'
'Lindsay Staddon is a really strong performer in the catastrophic PI insurance sector. Quietly spoken, she has real judgment and gets things done.’
Key clients
- Zurich
- Motor Insurers Bureau
- AIG Europe
- AXAXL Insurance
- PwC
- Municipal Mutual Insurance
- Ageas Insurance
- Tesco Underwriting
- First Central Insurance
- InterEurope AG Insurance
- Covea Insurance
- Octagon Insurance
- Travellers Insurance Co
- HDI Global
- Hiscox Insurance
- Esure Insurance
- Prometheus Insurance
- Hastings Direct
- Markerstudy Insurance
- Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance
- Liberty Mutual
- Markel Insurance
- DCL Insurance
- Broadspire/Crawfords
- Protector Insurance
- Vinci
- Rolls Royce
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Lidl Stores
- Nestle
- BP
- DHL Logistics
- Severn Trent
- Gallagher Bassett
- Hundreds of Local Authorities and Police Authorities
Work highlights
- Acted for Ageas insurance in the defence of multi-party fatal and brain injury cases.
- Acted for Ageas insurance on a claim arising out of a motor accident where the claimant developed a regional pain syndrome.
- Acted for Zurich insurance and a university on a claim for stress, bullying and harassment by an employee caused by excessive work.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Rob Williams, Charles Heppenstall