"I have now been practising in personal injury for over 30 years. I consider that the law has developed significantly over this time to support injured people. The approach of the firm is very much to try to restore damaged lives as well as maximise compensation. I consider that we do this to great effect which results in significant benefits for our clients."
About Colin's role
I oversee the work of a number of other lawyers who conduct serious injury cases. I also handle a number of these cases on behalf of individuals who have sustained a serious traumatic brain injury and other types of injury that has devastated their lives. My aim is to try to ensure that through the claims process we can restore their lives, as much as possible, by buying in equipment, support and other help that will improve their standard and quality of life.
Community and charity work
I have been a Patron of RoadPeace for a number of years. RoadPeace are a charity that supports victims of road crashes and act as a pressure group to improve road safety. Over the years I have been involved in a number of their activities to help promote their cause. I am also a Vice-President of The College of Occupational Therapists. This has given me the opportunity of explaining how personal injury compensation cases can be used to help rehabilitate those who are injured. Occupational therapists are, of course, an important profession to help restore injured people's lives.
Memberships and professional organisations
I am a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel. I am also a Senior Fellow and a life member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. I was President of that organisation in 2004/2005. I am also an Honorary Research Fellow for the School of Law at the University of Lancaster.
Cases of mention
I am very interested in trying to use personal injury cases, not only to secure maximum compensation, but also to try to restore injured people's lives as much as possible. So, in the very last case that I settled, I made sure that when our client was discharged from hospital, he had occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy in place. I also ensured that he had an enabler (a support worker) and tuition to assist him with his studies. He was a young man of 19 who had been at college. He was seriously injured which left him restrictions with mobility and limitations on his cognitive skills. However, by the time the case had settled, appropriate accommodation had been identified for him, as well as a suitable support programme, physical fitness regime as well as voluntary work. He was seriously injured but he was having a decent standard of living and quality of life.
Spare time and hobbies
I am a family man with three grown up children. I like to spend as much time as possible with my wife and children. I have three other passions. I am mad about football and regularly attend matches. I also have a very serious interest in music, particularly jazz and Brazilian music and listen to this as often as I can. I am also very keen on exercising and go to the gym and run frequently.