Re: Stephen Pritchard (2024)
1-week jury Inquest following accident at work involving a forklift truck. Inquest involved detailed evidence from multiple experts regarding the bypassing of a seat occupancy sensor.
Steve is highly experienced and well regarded in his field, having practiced exclusively in personal injury for almost 25 years.
He is instructed on behalf of Claimants and Defendants in fairly equal measure, primarily in high value multi-track matters.
Covering the full range of personal injury work, Steve has an in-depth knowledge of the relevant law concerning Highways, Public and Occupiers Liability (including the sometimes challenging arguments concerning Public Rights of Way), Employers Liability and Road Traffic Accidents. Steve is also well versed in the law relating to costs, including the operation of QOCS, the effects of fundamental dishonesty and the application of s.57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
With regard to paperwork, in addition to his busy advisory practice, Steve is regularly called upon to draft complicated Schedules of Loss involving substantial claims for lost earnings (including analysis of profit/loss accounts and tax returns for self-employed individuals), extensive claims for care and assistance (with reference to expert care reports) and also costs relating to future medical procedures, adaptations and prosthetics.
Steve has a scientific and mathematical background which makes him ideally placed to handle complex medical evidence alongside precise Ogden Table calculations.
Steve is known for his robust advocacy, approachability and high levels of client care.
Steve practices exclusively in personal injury and has done so for almost 25 years. He acts for Claimants and Defendants in fairly equal measure, with his work being primarily on the multi-track.
A seasoned and robust advocate, Steve regularly attends CCMC’s and interim applications whilst continuing to hold a significant trial-based practice. He is a tough negotiator and regularly attends JSM’s in high value cases.
His practice covers the full spectrum of EL/PL/RTA work but due to his scientific and mathematical background Steve has particular expertise in matters involving forensic engineering or accountancy evidence or where complex medical evidence is involved. To that end, Steve has extensive experience of handling expert evidence in conference.
Steve has considerable experience of catastrophic injury claims including mild, moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries arising from RTA and workplace incidents. Steve also experience of subtle TBI and the associated complications.
Recent cases include a young man (aged 15) injured in a road traffic accident who suffered from a severe TBI with development of post-traumatic epilepsy (led by Henry Pitchers KC) as well as a young man (aged 17) injured in an accident at work suffering from a TBI with lifelong effect on personality, ability to work and ability to live independently (again led by Henry Pitchers KC).
Steve also has experience of traumatic and surgical amputations and the need for functional and cosmetic prosthetic replacement, including a recent case involving a schoolgirl who lost her middle finger following a degloving injury on school premises.
In addition, Steve has many years experience dealing with serious orthopaedic injuries including spinal, pelvic and upper/lower limb trauma. Recent cases include a Claimant who suffered a disc prolapse following a lifting incident at work, which settled for £495k
Steve considers it essential to have a detailed knowledge of costs and litigation funding in order to maintain a successful practice in personal injury, since it permeates every stage of the litigation process.
Accordingly, Steve has developed a sound working knowledge of the relevant aspects of CPR 44-47. He is well versed in the rules relating to CFA’s, the new intermediate track, QOCS, the effects of fundamental dishonesty and the application of s.57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
Steve is able to provide advice and representation on all matters relating to costs in the context personal injury claims, irrespective of whether he has been instructed in the substantive underlying matter.
Steve has many years experience of credit hire litigation and conducts trials on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants, representing most major insurers (including where there are allegations of fundamental dishonesty or organised fraud rings).
His keen eye for detail allows him to quickly recognise the common issues that arise in credit hire cases relating to chronology, inaccurate history, impecuniosity and failure to disclose relevant documentation.
On behalf of Defendants, Steve has secured numerous findings of dishonesty leading to claims either being dismissed in their entirety or simply not proven.
A significant part of Steve’s practice relates to the defending of fraudulent insurance claims.
Steve is an experienced trial advocate and is routinely instructed by insurers where fraud is suspected and forensic cross-examination of the Claimant is required.
His recent and ongoing caseload includes: –
Having a scientific and mathematical background, as well as being an avid car enthusiast, Steve is well-placed to understand the common technical and mechanical issues that arise in fraudulent motor claims.
Steve is also well versed in the law relating to costs, including the operation of QOCS, the effects of fundamental dishonesty and the application of s.57 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
Recent Case Examples: –
Steve is regularly instructed to attend Inquests in the context of personal injury claims, usually as part of the evidence gathering process and as a precursor to the substantive civil claim.
Recent experience includes a 2-week jury Inquest following an accident at work (pedestrian vs HGV) involving multiple interested parties as well as a 1-week jury Inquest following an accident at work (crush involving forklift truck) during which there was extensive expert evidence provided by Forensic Engineers and analysis of CCTV footage.
1-week jury Inquest following accident at work involving a forklift truck. Inquest involved detailed evidence from multiple experts regarding the bypassing of a seat occupancy sensor.
Claim by elderly gentleman following RTA resulting in traumatic brain injury. Settled for £100k.
2-week jury Inquest and subsequent claim under Fatal Accidents Act 1976 arising from an accident work. Settled at JSM for £550k.
Fatal RTA involving pedestrian vs tractor. Settled for £360k.
Disc prolapse following lifting accident at work. Settled for £495k
Successful trial before HHJ Baucher sitting at Central London CC on behalf of Claimant in bicycle vs pothole case. Also secured award of indemnity costs in respect of liability.
Claim for life-changing injuries arising out of RTA. Settled at JSM for £420,000
RTA involving Claimant with pre-existing autism and learning difficulties. Complex medical evidence and issues in respect of causation, particularly the need for enhanced lifelong care over and above a pre-existing local authority funded care package. Settled at JSM for £225,000
Substantial issues in respect of medical causation following re-fracture of an ankle that had previously healed by way of pseudoarthrosis. Permanent disabling symptoms. Settled at JSM for £105,000
Case involving orthopaedic injuries to young construction worker with lifelong effect on employment. Settled at JSM for £315,000 (gross).
Widely reported group action concerning a series of slipping accidents at ‘Cheeky Monkey’ and ‘Blast Off’ nightclub events at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Inquest and subsequent claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 arising out of the ‘M56 Minibus Crash’
No5 Barristers Chambers hosted Laura Daly, Alex Davenport and the Birmingham Law Society for a breakfast seminar. Steven Fisher and Alex Mellis deliver an insight…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is delighted to welcome Steven Fisher to the Personal Injury Group. Steven Fisher, call 2000, has practiced exclusively in personal injury for…
No5 Barristers Chambers hosted Laura Daly, Alex Davenport and the Birmingham Law Society for a breakfast seminar. Steven Fisher and Alex Mellis deliver an insight…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is delighted to welcome Steven Fisher to the Personal Injury Group. Steven Fisher, call 2000, has practiced exclusively in personal injury for…