Personal Injury: Mainly Defendant: Midlands

This firm is admired for its defence of personal injury claims for insurers, such as Allianz, Zurich and the MIB. One client praises the team for its "industry knowledge, contacts and exceptional influence," whilst another underlines that "the technical expertise is exactly what you would expect of a firm of this calibre." The firm handles a range of EL/PL and industrial disease cases out of its Birmingham office.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Henry Bermingham stands out for his track record in EL/PL claims for a number of councils including Birmingham and Derby City Councils. Fraud expert Sarah Hill has been defending ‘crash for cash’ motor fraud cases. Michael Dobson handles catastrophic injuries, fraud and occupational disease cases. Stephen Hazleton is known for his experience in cases regarding periodical payment orders.

The Birmingham office of this well-established firm remains a major force in personal injury litigation. The team's dedication to the field helped secure two further panel appointments to its already leading clientele. Clients instruct the group to defend claims regarding catastrophic injury, abuse, education and occupational disease. One source pointed out: "They are excellent at evidence gathering." On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sara May leads the national catastrophic injury unit and earns market respect for her track record in that area. She advises an illustrious roster of insurers and has been defending serious brain injuries arising out of motor accidents. Bruce Ralston is widely recognised for his sports-related injury workload and he also tackles actions arising from construction site incidents. Andrew Roach excels in product liability and coverage issues, while Richard Stallard is deemed a leading authority on periodical payments orders.

This Worcestershire-based team earns respect for its growing involvement in the personal injury market. The team is able to tap into the wider expertise at seven other national offices and is known for its defence of EL/PL and disease claims for insurers. Insurer clients are also expected to benefit from the recent merger between Plexus and insurance law firm Everatt & Company.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Senior partner Damon Burt attracts praise for his EL/PL and industrial disease experience and is a popular choice for QBE. Jason Burt acts for local authorities and insurers such as Ecclesiastic. He divides his time between Evesham and Manchester and handles EL/PL claims. Nick Yates specialises in catastrophic injury, RTA and MIB issues. He is a principal contact for Ageas, previously known as Fortis.

This well-established firm attracts widespread market praise for its personal injury work and its depth of knowledge in social care law and RTAs. It gives "timely reports, updates and good advice, and achieves good outcomes," agree clients. The firm operates out of Birmingham and Nottingham.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS The personable Nick Parsons runs the personal injury department and advises public bodies. Bridget Tatham is a popular choice for the insurance team in Birmingham, whilst Sarah Erwin-Jones focuses her attention on defending local authorities in social care claims. Clients enthuse: "She deals with cases fairly but robustly, seeking out all the issues so as to ensure that nothing is overlooked."

This firm's good name in personal injury stems from its advice to insurers on occupational disease cases. The team defends asbestos, bladder cancer, hand-arm vibration syndrome and deafness cases and has been recently acting for an insurer faced with occupational respiratory claims. "They are flexible in their approach and they listen to our views," state clients of the firm, which operates out of Birmingham and Coventry.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Derek Adamson has impressed commentators with his role in the EL Trigger litigation for Zurich. Industrial disease expert Robert Edwards also stands out and has been working with Caroline Coates. Together, they have been defending an asbestos claim, which arose out of exposure at an army base in the 1960s.

This firm's Coventry team handles both high and low-value claims as well as catastrophic injury cases. Zurich and AXA Insurance feature prominently in a client roster packed with insurers and corporates. The team is also respected for its handling of fraudulent insurance claims. One high-profile insurer enthused over the team's "successful track record in some of the defining cases of the modern era."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ken Young heads the team and enters the rankings. He is admired by clients as "hugely talented with superb analytical skills, immaculate preparation and a firm grasp of the issues."

The firm's Birmingham and Leicester teams win client praise for their expertise in catastrophic injury and industrial disease cases. The group is also noted for its well-developed expertise in child abuse claims. "Their strength is in the depth of knowledge and support available," clients point out. Other sources underline their "very good preparation and good technical judgement." The team is well supported from its offices in the North West.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Penelope Marshall excels in a range of personal injury work and has recently been acting for leisure centres and schools in cases of sports-based injuries.

The small Birmingham team is recognised for its defence of its corporate insured clients in EL/PL and product liability claims. They show "an attention to detail and familiarity with the idiosyncrasies of our company," agree clients. Sources also underline the firm's track record in industrial disease claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The reputable Alan Jacobs is the team's major name. He has been defending a client after a fire at an oil refinery resulted in personal injury and property damage claims.  

This stable six-lawyer team is known for its defence of liability claims. Recently the team has been defending a claim regarding a construction site injury sustained at a shopping centre development. In disease-related work, the group has been defending a number of hand-arm vibration syndrome, work-related upper limb disorder and deafness claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Danaher is a key contact.

Kennedys has an impressive national reputation as a traditional heavyweight insurance firm and it is no exception in the Midlands. Clients consider the 16 lawyers to be "profession leaders in care and compensation of injured persons." The team has recently been defending a claim against the UK arm of Eon concerning damages for mesothelioma.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Personal injury expert Radd Seiger is "innovative and creative whilst ensuring there is a robust and pragmatic solution to any problem that arises."

This firm handles a large number of EL/PL and brain injury cases arising out of RTAs. The team is particularly known for its advice to institutional clients and county councils across the Midlands. The November 2010 merger with Nottingham-based Berryman has given further weight to the team's public sector expertise. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Julia Holden is considered vastly experienced in the most severe personal injury cases. She has recently been acting for an insurer in a case where the claimant suffered a serious head injury.

The small Northampton-based practice is respected for its defence of liability claims for insurers and public and private sector clients. The team has been advising Northamptonshire County Council with regard to a number of highway trips and also an RTA. Clients add: "They are proactive and responsive to our concerns and objectives."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Malcolm Upfold is in charge of the insurance litigation team.