Colin Mendoza

Colin Mendoza has a broad practice encompassing all aspects of personal injury work for both Claimants and Defendants; including clinical negligence; and health & safety.

Colin has built a reputation for taking on high value and difficult cases.  He is very experienced in cases involving serious or fatal injuries arising from road traffic, industrial and other accidents.  His caseload frequently involves acting for Claimants who have suffered brain damage, spinal cord injury and has built up as particular expertise in advising in cases involving amputations. Many of his cases involve awards or settlements running to many millions of pounds.

Throughout his career he has appeared on behalf of bereaved families in jury and coroner-only inquests concerning a broad gamut of incidents.

A number of his cases in recent years have been ground-breaking and he enjoys advising in cases that involve issues arising in developing areas of the law. Colin has extensive experience of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), including mediations and JSMs/round-table meetings.

Having spent his early years at the criminal Bar, he is experienced in serious criminal work and is instructed to defend in Health and Safety prosecutions.

Apart from his clinical negligence work, involving Defendant doctors in person when acting in the private sector or Health Trusts, Colin is instructed in other types of professional negligence cases involving other types of healthcare providers and solicitors. His enormous experience also contributes to instructions in areas related-to, but outside, his core areas, such as:

• AB v Royal Bank of Scotland - Led by Bruce Carr KC, Colin acts for the Bank in a disability discrimination claim in which the Claimant was awarded in excess of £4m. The case reached the Court of Appeal and raised important legal issues on how a Tribunal should deal with issues of mental incapacity on the part of  a Claimant. The appeal was heard in March 2021.

• The ‘Toxic Sofas’ litigation – one of The Lawyer ‘Top 10 cases of 2010’ - thought to be the largest group litigation about a consumer product in British legal history, over 4,500 claimants claimed more than £10m from 14 high street stores, after they allegedly sold contaminated leather furniture. Colin’s client was joined as a defendant in relation to claims under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for sofas bought using its credit facilities.

In addition, Colin is instructed in cases conducted in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

Colin was appointed in 2008 as a Tribunal Judge Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeal Tribunal.

He regularly undertakes cases funded through CFAs and is a member of the Personal Injury Bar Association and the Professional Negligence Bar Association.

• Recommendations

  "He is very good in dealing with clients and tackles the most complex cases in a calm and efficient manner. He is very good at getting to the root of the issue and is also a very good advocate." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2025

  "He is a combative advocate who exudes calmness and works well with clients." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2025

  "Colin is very personable, diligent and lends a sense of calmness to even the most difficult case." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2025

  "Colin is the counsel you want fighting for your client in a difficult liability case. He is not afraid of making strategic decisions, that many would shy away from, in order to get the best outcome." - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2024

  "Very understanding when dealing with clients and determined and tenacious in the face of complex and challenging issues arising during litigation." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2024

  "Colin is meticulous in his attention-to-detail and he is very good with lay clients." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2023

  "Colin has a vast wealth of experience in the field, which is readily apparent in his work and advice." - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2023

  Handles the full spectrum of personal injury work for both claimants and defendants, with significant expertise in life-changing brain and spinal injuries, catastrophic psychiatric injuries and amputations. He is also adept at handling claims involving disfigurement and severe pain. He is recommended for his grasp of complex medical causation and quantum issues. "A great cross-examiner who fears no one. He is very effective and has a phenomenally busy practice." "Always a pleasure to be against. He is extremely experienced and knowledgeable." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK Bar 2022. 

  "He is a formidable advocate, whether articulating a case in writing, dealing with technical procedural issues or in oral advocacy." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2022

  "Colin has a wealth of experience. His authority and gravitas come across clearly in his advice and advocacy." - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2022

  "He is clearly very experienced and has a good grasp of amputation cases." "Very personable, great with clients and a pleasure to work with." Acted for an engineering student who suffered catastrophic injuries following a high-speed head-on collision - Personal Injury, Chambers UK Bar 2021

  "Very approachable and provides extremely thorough explanations to clients." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2021

  “Extremely knowledgeable and informative, as well as courteous and helpful.” - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2021

  "A very strong negotiator." Instructed in a complex case involving two experienced lift engineers who were standing on top of a lift in a block of flats which plummeted to the bottom of the lift shaft after a cable broke. One of the claimants suffered severe brain damage. - Personal Injury, Chambers UK Bar 2020

  ‘Methodical, good with clients and extremely knowledgeable on all aspects of personal injury law.’ - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2020

  'He has a great capacity for detailed analysis of a case, including anticipating risk.' - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2020

  ‘He is a fantastic junior and has a very good manner with clients putting them at ease, whatever the difficulty of the issues under discussion.’ - Clinical Negligence, Legal 500 2019

  "He's very experienced, very sharp and judges like him." "He is a very tenacious advocate." Acted in a maximum severity burns case concerning a claimant who was involved in an explosion at work. - Personal Injury, Chambers UK Bar 2019

  ‘A larger than life character who inspires confidence and has a good command of every case.’ - Personal Injury, Industrial Disease and Insurance Fraud, Legal 500 2019

  "Has such gravitas in these cases. Great technically and fantastic on his feet. He handles judges well and is good with the clients, putting them at ease and explaining things in layman's terms." Acted in a high-value claim regarding an industrial accident in which a young woman suffered a major prolapsed disc in her neck leading to a major two-level fusion operation and early retirement. - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2018

  "His advocacy skills are unrivalled and he always exceeds expectations with the results he achieves." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2017

  "He's a junior in name only. He's very good with clients, he puts them at ease, he prepares well for conferences and doesn't need anyone holding his hand." "Pragmatic and provides sensible solutions." - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2017.

  "He has a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience in the field of claimant personal injury" - Legal 500 2016 

  A veteran practitioner who acts for both defendants and claimants across the full range of personal injury work. His practice is focused on cases concerning injuries of the maximum severity. "When you see his name at the bottom of a skeleton, you know the case is really well prepared and that you will have to be on the top of your game." Defended Stagecoach South in a case concerning a claimant who fell from a bus and was said to have suffered severe brain injuries. - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2016

  "He is highly regarded for his success in the most difficult cases." - Personal Injury, Legal 500 2015

  A personal injury junior whose sophisticated understanding of medicine enables him to deal with cases involving severe, often life-changing back and head injuries, as well as injuries involving the loss of major organs. He is also a specialist in amputation and chronic pain syndrome matters. "He's very, very hard-working and doesn't shirk the difficulties in a case." Advised a claimant who, following an accident at work, had developed a chronic pain condition that meant he was severely dehabilitated. - Personal Injury, Chambers UK 2015

  Colin Mendoza has been known to "make the client feel that their case is his only case" - Legal 500 2014

  Colin Mendoza receives regular instructions from both defendants and claimants in catastrophic injury cases involving spinal cord injury and brain damage. He acted in Virgo v Howie, a case brought by the claimant following a severe injury in a road traffic accident. - Chambers UK 2012

  “Unbelievably hard-working and incredibly sharp” Colin Mendoza, is a “stunning lawyer” who is both “technically and commercially astute”. He has “an uncanny ability to interact with judiciary witnesses and experts to get to the nub of complex cases” - Chambers UK 2012

  “Strives to achieve the best possible outcome” - Legal 500 2011

  "Totally committed to his clients" - Chambers UK 2011

  "A good Junior to go up against a Silk" - Chambers UK 2010

  Extensive experience in insurance defence and in dealing with fraudulent claims. “Good with clients”, he gains approval for being “approachable, friendly and robust in court.” - Chambers UK 2009

  Known for his “diligent approach and extensive medical knowledge” - Legal 500 2008

• Personal Injury

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  Colin undertakes all aspects of personal injury work for Claimants and Defendants, including claims involving fatal accidents, catastrophic personal injury including brain damage suffered by adults and children, spinal injury, severe orthopaedic and soft tissue injury, particularly those leading to amputation, scarring and severe psychiatric damage. He has experience of disaster litigation such as that arising out of rail crashes, industrial accidents and transport accidents involving multiple deaths.

  Recent settlements include:

  • A dispute related to a catastrophic ankle injury of upmost severity to a labourer whilst working on a farm.  Despite triple arthrodesis, there remained a real risk of amputation and the case raised difficult issues re provisional damages and quantum. Settled for sum in excess of £1m at round table meeting against a KC. There was a claim for accommodation which raised complex questions on how to value such a claim given the current negative discount rate. 
  • An engineering student at University suffered catastrophic injuries to internal organs including aorta after being involved in a high-speed head-on collision. Life threatening aortic injury. Many very serious long-term risks. Complex provisional damages issues and issues as to quantum, given the accident happened in the first year of studies and had to give up the place on the degree course for a number of years. Colin worked closely on the case, including settling a number of complex Agendas for numerous medical experts and a detailed Schedule. Difficult life expectancy issues. Substantial losses in excess of £1.8m. Settled at JSM.
  • A complex case involving two Claimants standing on top of a lift they were working on in a block of flats which plummeted to the bottom of the lift shaft after the cable that the lift was suspended from broke. One of the Defendants maintained that one or both of them was responsible for this happening and no liability attached. Complex vicarious liability issues and issues of control of the workplace. Colin’s client suffered severe brain damage and could not testify as to what had happened. Case raised difficult liability issues and heavy contributory negligence if liability was made out. Colin agreed to take this difficult case on a “no win no fee” basis. He was heavily involved in shaping the expert evidence in the case and a successful outcome ensued with little if any reduction for contributory negligence.
  • £1.75m settlement at a round table meeting for a nurse unable to return to nursing. He had gone to live in the Philippines following the accident where the cost of living is much less, which made maximising the value of the case difficult. Colin had numerous conferences with multiple experts to get their evidence in as strong a form as possible, to include rehabilitation medical expert, care expert, accommodation expert, physio expert etc.
  • Maximum severity burns case after Claimant was involved in an explosion at work. Valued at £1m plus, the Defendant had raised medical negligence at the hospital in its defence requiring Colin to advise in writing and settle pleadings dealing with this. Colin had to explain difficult legal concepts involved where injured person then suffers negligent medical treatment to the lay client. Colin advised thoroughly in writing about the legal concept of a break in the chain of causation in these circumstances, taking the reader through all the relevant case law before advising with authority when giving his opinion on the issue. Injuries have led to life-changing problems for the Claimant, requiring great sensitivity when advising in conference and at a hard-fought JSM against a KC.
  • £900,000 plus costs settlement at a JSM on a catastrophic injury case involving horrific crush injury to a foot.  Despite some 20 operations to try and salvage the foot, it is likely to be amputated 5 plus years after the accident. There was a very substantial claim for future loss of earnings, care, prosthetics, housing and other aids and equipment.

   

  Significant cases include:

  • Lorna Hayden v. Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [2016] EWHC 3276 (QB) – Colin acted for the Claimant in this assessment of quantum trial of a serious neck/back injury case. Colin managed to successfully defend his client against the Defendant’s allegations of gross exaggeration and malingering. Important case on late service of video surveillance evidence.
  • Stephen Killalea KC and Colin Mendoza secure £8.7 million settlement in spinal injuries case – In late 2014, Stephen Killalea KC and Colin Mendoza settled a tetraplegic spinal injuries case for a periodical payment order of £225,000 per annum and a lump sum of £3.1 million.  The claim included a substantial sum for professional trustee fees in a case in which the Claimant retained capacity but required financial assistance in managing his award. On a capitalised basis the settlement is equivalent to a lump sum of £8.7 million.
  • Philip Jones v. Michael Lawton [2013] EWHC 4108 (QB) – Colin acted on behalf of the catastrophically injured claimant, who lost his leg above the knee in a motorcycle accident. Very difficult trial on liability/contrib issues. The case carries particular importance for cyclists and motorcyclists in similar cases, given the Judge’s refusal to regard himself as bound by the old Court of Appeal authority relied on by the Defendant of Powell v Moody (1966) 110 SJ 215 to find either entirely for or substantially for the Defendant. Case tried by Mr Justice Burnett (as he the was).
  • A and E v Manchester City Council (2012) QBD: Colin acted for the Claimant in a ground-breaking case, in which the Claimant claimed damages for various torts including false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office and negligence together with damages for breach of Articles 6 and 8 ECHR, after the Claimant was taken into care and separated from his family without due regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) set up pursuant to the Mental Capacity Act 1995. Led by Mr Guy Mansfield KC
  • Christopher Pomeroy v Samuel Turton and Janet Turton and various Lloyd’s Underwriters (2011) QBD, Exeter District Registry: Colin acted for the Claimant alone who was award damages of £1.8M damages on a full liability basis following his involvement in a residential property he was helping to renovate for the property developer First Claimant. Approval hearing before Mr Justice Burnett (as he then was).
  • Daglish v MOD (2011) QBD: Colin acted for the Clamant in this very substantial brain damage action. He represented the Claimant alone in a week-long medical causation trial in the High Court where he succeeded in establishing a minor head injury had led to severe psychiatric disorder. The case settled at a joint settlement meeting for a lump sum of £798,500 and annual periodical payments, index-linked appropriately, of £102,451. Led by Robert Glancy KC.
  • Salter v Anscombe (2011) QBD: Colin acted for the dependents in this substantial fatal accident claim arising out of the deaths of a senior partner in a solicitor’s firm and his daughter who bred and trained horses for show jumping at the highest level. Settled at mediation for substantial damages. Led by Robert Glancy KC.
  • Ahanonu v South East London and Kent Bus Company Limited (2008): Colin successfully argued the case in the Court of Appeal on whether or not the Defendant’s bus driver had been in breach of the duty of care owed to a pedestrian and overturned the trial judge’s apportionment of 50:50.
  • Port of Tilbury (2007) Crown Court: Colin represented Port of Tilbury as Junior Counsel in a 3-day plea in mitigation hearing at Croydon Crown Court following the death of six-year-old boy at the dock premises after he was  crushed by falling reel of paper. A fine of £100,000 imposed. Led by Stephen Killalea KC.

  Further examples of Colin’s experience can be found under Notable Cases below.

• Clinical Negligence

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  Colin acts for both claimants and defendants.

  His practice covers a wide variety of claims and he has a past and current workload which includes:

  • negligent spinal surgery leading to tetraplegia;
  • failure to diagnose and treat serious illnesses;
  • failure to perform surgery correctly;
  • GP negligence;
  • Complex Group Litigation against the Ministry of Defence on behalf of former soldiers for the alleged failure to diagnose and treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following active service in theatres of war including the Falklands, the Gulf and Bosnia.

   

  Recent cases have included:

  • An action pursued against a leading Eye Hospital for making the Claimant blind in one eye. Colin is for the Claimant. The Defendant’s doctors failed to measure the pressures in her eyes appropriately, leading to a total loss of sight. Liability admitted after Colin settled the Letter of Claim and the matter now proceeds to mediation. Colin has advised extensively throughout, helping to shape the content of the all-important expert evidence. The expert evidence is complex and difficult issues about the role of provisional damages in the case going forwards.
  • Negligent spinal surgery on young woman by an eminent Professor of Neurosurgery leaving her with very debilitating back pain and not able to return to her well-paid job in the City. Previous solicitors had advised prospects were less than 50%. Colin saw expert in conference and disagreed. Complex medical expert opinion evidence on issues of breach of duty and causation. Colin advised throughout. Very high value. Settled for significant seven-figure sum.
  • Tragic case where the claimant died aged 54 after his cancer was not picked up on until it was too late. He had previously undergone a gastroscopy at the hospital, carried out by a trainee Nurse Endoscopist, who requested a repeat gastroscopy in 2 years which never took place. Expert evidence, to include the expert oncology evidence, was highly technical and the law complex on causation. Colin was instrumental in shaping this evidence and some further very strong evidence from a Consultant Histopathologist which led to the Defendant admitting liability. The case proceeded then solely on the issue of quantum and Colin conducted a negotiation to settle the claim for £366,500.
  • Colin acted for an elderly gentleman that got stuck in a deckchair. He went to an out of hours’ clinic with painful leg and sent home by GP without referral to hospital. His leg remained painful and he went to his own GP the next day with a cold pulseless leg and was referred immediately to hospital as an emergency. The leg was amputated above knee 3 days later. Case was vigorously defended by the insurers of the out of hours’ doctor who first dealt with the Claimant. They argued he would have lost his leg anyway as a result of the original unusually severe injury. Complex causation issues. Case eventually settled many years later on very satisfactory terms. Client was in his 80s which made the case difficult to quantify due to life expectancy issues.

   

  Significant older cases include:

  • Gormley v East Cheshire NHS Trust (2010) (successful claim by 81-year-old man for substantial damages following negligent medical and nursing care. Settled by way of periodical payments with capitalised value of some £450,000)
  • McCready v Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust (2009) (successful claim against hospital following emergency delivery of child by Caesarean section that led to serious complications for mother)
  • Ruparel v Medway NHS Trust (2007) (successful claim against hospital for negligent treatment of vascular illness, leading to amputation of leg)
  • Beighton-Garner v Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust [2002] (cerebral palsy with damages awarded of £2.7m) 
  • Shah v Pinderfields Hospital NHS Trust [2001] (medical negligence involving spinal surgery)
  • Mullett v East London and City Health Authority - [1997] (negligent administration of Lederspan Steroid in accident and emergency department); CL 97/197
  • Crane v Kynoch - [1994] (duty of care owed by veterinary surgeon, surgical trespass); CL 94/3399

• Notable cases

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  Personal Injury

  • Lorna Hayden v. Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust [2016] EWHC 3276 (QB) – Colin acted for the Claimant in this assessment of quantum trial of a serious neck/back injury case. Colin managed to successfully defend his client against the Defendant’s allegations of gross exaggeration and malingering.
  • Stephen Killalea QC and Colin Mendoza secure £8.7 million settlement in spinal injuries case – In late 2014, Stephen Killalea QC and Colin Mendoza settled a tetraplegic spinal injuries case for a periodical payment order of £225,000 per annum and a lump sum of £3.1 million.  The claim included a substantial sum for professional trustee fees in a case in which the Claimant retained capacity but required financial assistance in managing his award. On a capitalised basis the settlement is equivalent to a lump sum of £8.7 million.
  • Philip Jones v. Michael Lawton [2013] EWHC 4108 (QB) – Colin acted on behalf of the catastrophically injured claimant, who lost his leg above the knee in a motorcycle accident. Very difficult trial on liability/contrib issues. The case carries particular importance for cyclists and motorcyclists in similar cases, given the Judge’s refusal to regard himself as bound by the old Court of Appeal authority relied on by the Defendant of Powell v Moody (1966) 110 SJ 215 to find either entirely for or substantially for the Defendant.
  • A and E v Manchester City Council (2012) QBD: Colin is acting for the Claimant in a ground-breaking case, in which the Claimant claims damages for various torts including false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office and negligence together with damages for breach of Articles 6 and 8 ECHR, after the Claimant was taken into care and separated from his family without due regard to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) set up pursuant to the Mental Capacity Act 1995. Led by Mr Guy Mansfield QC.
  • Napier v B & Q and others (2012), Manchester County Court (2012): Colin acted for B & Q in a 2-day trial in which his clients were being sued for assault and false imprisonment after the Claimant had been stopped outside the store by security guards employed by the other Defendant on suspicion of shoplifting. The case raised a difficult point of law concerning the extent to which there could in these circumstances be dual vicarious liability. Colin successfully argued that here, mere supervision by B & Q of the store guards was not sufficient and the Claimant had not proved a sufficient degree of control at the time of the incident to be able to rely upon the concept of dual vicarious liability.
  • G v L (2012) QBD: acting for minor Claimant in brain damage case causing change of schooling/substantial future private education needs.
  • Christopher Pomeroy v Samuel Turton and Janet Turton and various Lloyd’s Underwriters (2011) QBD, Exeter District Registry: Colin acted for the Claimant alone who was award damages of £1.8M damages on a full liability basis following his involvement in a residential property he was helping to renovate for the property developer First Claimant.
  • Daglish v MOD (2011) QBD: Colin acted for the Clamant in this very substantial brain damage action. He represented the Claimant alone in a week-long medical causation trial in the High Court where he succeeded in establishing a minor head injury had led to severe psychiatric disorder. The case settled at a joint settlement meeting for a lump sum of £798,500 and annual periodical payments, index-linked appropriately, of £102,451. Led by Robert Glancy KC at settlement meeting but drafted Schedule alone.
  • Savundranayagam v Sony DADC Ltd (2011) QBD: Colin was instructed on behalf of the defendant company. The Claimant maintained he had slipped over at the Defendant company’s property as a result of slipping on grease and/or a sprue entering the heel of his show. Colin successfully appealed the Master’s case management decision to refuse to allow expert engineering evidence. At trial, the Judge accepted that the sprue had been placed into the heel of the shoe by human action after a pre-existing hole had been present in the heel and he dismissed the claim after a week-long trial. Led by Timothy Brennan KC.
  • Salter v Anscombe (2011) QBD: Colin acted for the dependents in this substantial fatal accident claim arising out of the deaths of a senior partner in a solicitor’s firm and his daughter who bred and trained horses for show jumping at the highest level. Settled at mediation for substantial damages. Led by Robert Glancy KC.
  • Henry Webster and others v Ridgeway School (2011) QBD: Colin acted in this novel and ground-breaking case, in which the Claimant sought to hold a school liable in negligence for allowing him to be attacked on the school premises by an Asian gang who were not pupils at the school and who were able to gain access to the school through an unmanned exit. There had been a history of racial problems at the school prior to the attack. Led by Robert Glancy KC.
  • Footman v Royal Mail (2010) QBD: Colin acted for the Royal Mail, in an action pursued by one of their employees who was shot in the neck during an armed raid and paralysed. A change in the way cash pouches were stored in the delivery vehicle had meant that the Claimant had been unable to satisfy the robber’s demands prior to being shot and the Claimant contended the Defendant had been in breach of duty as an employer in implementing this system of work. The claim was discontinued shortly before the trial was due to commence. Led by Stephen Killalea KC.
  • Toxic Sofa Group Action (2011) QBD (thought to be the largest Group Action litigation about a consumer product, where 4,500 claimants claimed more than £10m from 14 high street stores, including Land of Leather. Colin acted for one of the Defendants).
  • McNeil v MoD (2009) QBD: Colin acted for the Claimant who suffered a serious head injury whilst serving in Iraq. Case settled at mediation presided over by Mr Alan Gore QC, now HH Judge Alan Gore KC.
  • Ryan Callier v Nicholas Deacon (2009) QBD: Colin acted for the Claimant, who suffered the traumatic amputation of his leg below the knee after being struck by the Defendant’s car as it performed an over-taking manoeuvre on an unlit country road. Liability was contested. The matter proceeded to a trial on liability where the Claimant succeeds, albeit with a reduction for contributory negligence. Previous solicitors and Counsel had advised the Claimant had no case. The Defendant was given permission to appeal and the whole case then settled later on at mediation. Led by Stephen Killalea KC.
  • Blount v Amalgamated Lifts (2009) QBD: Colin acted for one of the Defendants being sued after the Claimant suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident whilst servicing a lift. His hand became caught in the lifting mechanism. Settled at mediation.
  • Baroness Jean Corston QC v House of Commons Commission (2009): Colin acted for the Claimant who claimed damages after suffering an accident whilst walking down the steps past the Speaker’s Chair in the House of Commons. Permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal was granted to the Claimant on a mitigation of loss point.
  • Ahanonu v South East London and Kent Bus Company Limited (2008): Colin successfully argued the case in the Court of Appeal on whether or not the Defendant’s bus driver had been in breach of the duty of care owed to a pedestrian and overturned the trial judge’s apportionment of 50:50.
  • Port of Tilbury (2007) Crown Court: Colin represented Port of Tilbury as Junior Counsel in a 3-day plea in mitigation hearing at Croydon Crown Court following the death of six-year-old boy at the dock premises after he was crushed by falling reel of paper. A fine of £100,000 imposed. Led by Stephen Killalea KC.
  • Ashton v MoD (2006) QBD: Colin was the junior in this very substantial claim against the MoD where the Claimant suffered very severe brain damage and severe spinal injury. Damages awarded in excess of £4m. Led by Robert Glancy KC.
  • P (a child) (2005), CICAP, Kemp: Colin represented a teenage girl who was awarded a £2m compensation award for severe brain damage after non-accidental injury whilst a baby.
  • Addison v Mencap (2005), Southampton County Court: Colin acted successfully for the Defendant in a£300,000 employers’ Liability claim where the Claimant was only awarded £1,500 after a week-long trial in which 4 medical experts gave evidence.
  • Hassan Salih v Cannon Plant and Crane Hire (2005) QBD and COA: Colin acted in this successful claim for a roofer who fell to ground level from a roof, suffering catastrophic injures including total and permanent blindness. Successfully resisted appeal to Court of Appeal.
  • Miles v Esso Petroleum (2005), Southampton County Court: Colin acted for the Defendant in this test case concerning a number of refinery workers who alleged they suffered a repetitive strain injury after being exposed to excessive value turning work - complex liability and medical causation issues. Claim failed on primary issue of limitation. Led by Graham Read KC.
  • R v Atkinson and Others (2004) Hull Crown Court: Colin acted for defence in prosecution of second mate of a fishing trawler that collided with a North Sea oil platform, causing extensive damage to trawler and platform and potentially extensive loss of life.
  • Gladwin v TDG (UK) Limited and Ian Read Transport (2005): Colin represented the Claimant at the liability trial in respect of a forklift truck accident which had led to a below-knee amputation. He then represented him at a round table meeting.
  • Daglish v Ministry of Defence (2004): week-long successful High Court trial involving complex issues of medical causation following head injury leading to schizophrenia and permanent disability. Successfully established Claimant had sustained an organic personality disorder after minor head injury.
  • Rawji v GTRM Limited [2004] (railway worker who suffered arm amputation and very serious leg injuries after being struck by a train).
  • Hewston and Others v Hoverland Travel Centre Limited [2004] (instructed for defendant in claim in respect of alleged severe gastrointestinal symptoms arising out of holiday to Spain).
  • Nixon v Chanceoption Developments Limited [2002]: Colin represented the Claimant in a (successful appeal to the Court of Appeal in a case concerning a fall from scaffolding. He overturned the trial judge’s decision completely and had a full award substituted by the Court of Appeal.
  • Evans v Stracey [2001] (brain damage to child with damages awarded of £1m).
  • Gubbins v Bailie [2001] CL (severe whiplash with damages awarded in excess of £200,000).
  • Matthews v MoD [1998] (a successful claim by a soldier who was forced to make a parachute jump on a day when he contested it was too windy to jump in safety; he suffered a severe shoulder injury.
  • Inker v Ministry of Defence [1995] The Times, 25 January, (claim by soldier rendered paraplegic).

   

  Clinical Negligence

  • Gormley v East Cheshire NHS Trust (2010) (successful claim by 81-year-old man for substantial damages following negligent medical and nursing care. Settled by way of periodical payments with capitalised value of some £450,000).
  • McCready v Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust (2009) (successful claim against hospital following emergency delivery of child by Caesarean section that led to serious complications for mother).
  • Ruparel v Medway NHS Trust (2007) (successful claim against hospital for negligent treatment of vascular illness, leading to amputation of leg).
  • Beighton-Garner v Sandwell Healthcare NHS Trust [2002] (cerebral palsy with damages awarded of £2.7m).
  • Shah v Pinderfields Hospital NHS Trust [2001] (medical negligence involving spinal surgery).
  • Mullett v East London and City Health Authority - [1997] (negligent administration of Lederspan Steroid in accident and emergency department); CL 97/197.
  • Crane v Kynoch - [1994] (duty of care owed by veterinary surgeon, surgical trespass); CL 94/3399.