William Pratt from Dulwich Paragon winning the 2012 Leigh Day Kermesse: Picture courtesy of Wig Worland.
About Leigh Day We are one of the UK s leading law firms for people injured through no fault of their own. Our cycling team specialises in providing legal advice to people injured whilst racing, touring, training, commuting to work or simply trying to get from A to B on their bikes. From bruising, whiplash and broken collarbones to life-changing incidents causing longterm brain and spinal injuries, our team has extensive experience of the consequences of cycle crashes. We exclusively provide legal support for all British Cycling members and the members of the British Triathlon Federation, such is our reputation in the legal sector which rates us in the top tier of personal injury solicitors. We are also cyclists. Our Ethos Leigh Day has become a highly distinctive law firm which is not afraid to take on challenges that would daunt many others. We are committed to achieving access to justice for all including full, fair compensation by providing first-rate legal advice. At our core we remain a niche practice representing only the person on the street against large insurance companies and corporations. Our approach allows us to provide a more personal and flexible service tailored to the individual needs of each client rather than the predominant one size fits all approach. Our Reputation We have been identified by independent client guides as one of the country s leading firms of claimant personal injury solicitors with a reputation for integrity and reliability. We are also committed to improving road safety especially for cyclists and are actively involved with campaigning charities to reduce road collisions.
1 2 3 3 4 5 Case Study: Chris Newton Chris is a multiple World Champion and Olympic medallist. He retired from competition in August 2010 and now is Men s Endurance coach for the Olympic Academy. We have acted for Chris on 2 occasions - the first shortly before the World Track Championships in 2008 when Chris was knocked off his bike as he was passing a stationary car and the passenger opened the door into his path, resulting in a fractured collarbone, and, more recently in June 2010, when a car coming in the opposite direction turned across his path without stopping.
Client service and our commitment Our service Financial compensation Employment issues We know that taking legal action can seem like a walk into the unknown. Our role is to be your experienced guide, giving you the advice borne of years of experience, to lead you successfully to a positive outcome as swiftly and professionally as possible. The impact of an injury can disrupt your normal active life and can even change it forever. Everybody s priorities and needs are different. We help you to achieve your goals from the speedy replacement of your bike to providing advice on employer obligations when returning to work with a disability. Our team cares and have been there before. If a crash is caused by someone else s negligence then the injured person is entitled to be compensated for their injuries, loss and damage sustained. The compensation falls into 3 categories:- 1. Compensation for your injuries and any loss of amenity/enjoyment. 2. Compensation for expenses incurred such as for treatment expenses, loss of earnings, travel expenses, damaged property, care and assistance etc. 3. Compensation for losses/ expenses in the future such as treatment, loss of earnings and in severe cases, care and accommodation and equipment. If you are working and injured on your bike, your initial concern will be to ensure that you and those who are dependent on you are financially secure. We will investigate with your employer whether you are entitled to be paid whilst off work and for how long. We can give advice about entitlement to benefits and what to do if your employer tries to end your employment during your sick leave. Where you suffer loss of earnings, whenever we can, we will obtain interim payments to cover those losses.
Case Study: Mark O Neill Mark 37, was cycling when he was knocked off his bike by a car driver turning right into a side road. The driver fled the scene leaving Mark seriously injured. Mark had suffered a high level spinal cord injury which has left him tetraplegic and a wheelchair user. Leigh Day ran his case under the Untraced Drivers scheme, operated by the Motor Insurers Bureau. We secured interim payments to pay for Mark s rehabilitation, treatment and an adapted house plus a final compensation settlement with payments for life for his care needs. Mark said: We found Leigh Day to be considerate, approachable, attentive and professional.
Case Study: Gary Priestley In December 2008 Gary, a British Cycling member, was on a club run cycling down a country lane when a dog ran out from a farm and attacked him and another cyclist in the group. Gary came off his bike and suffered a compound fracture to his left elbow. We were able to identify insurers for the dog and they accepted liability for Gary s claim on the basis that the dog should not have been allowed to go onto the road where it was an obvious danger to road users.
What we do Proving fault / negligence In order to receive compensation following an incident proof must be obtained that another party was at fault and has a legal liability to provide compensation. We will liaise with the police, the third party s insurers, any independent witnesses, the council etc. to evidence your claim. Evidence of losses We then provide evidence to show that any injury and expenses/ losses incurred were as a direct result of that negligent act. This can be done with medical evidence, witness statements from you and anyone who saw the incident and/or who has helped you through your recovery and by providing copies of receipts, payslips, accounts etc. We can advise you as to the likely value of your claim but this is usually only possible with any degree of certainty when detailed medical evidence has been obtained and investigations completed regarding any other losses incurred. We have in-house forensic accountants and nurses to assist us with the investigation process. We also have a wide database of specialist medical experts, rehabilitation agencies and employment experts to ensure that all aspects of the claim, both past and future, are included in the claim. It is difficult to estimate how long a claim will take to resolve. The more straightforward claims where people have only suffered relatively minor injuries and where the other party s insurers accept liability at an early stage should only take a few months to resolve. Time limits for compensation needs to be brought within 3 years of the date of the incident, if the person making the claim has suffered personal injury, and 6 years if the claim is for property damage only. Where more serious injuries have been sustained then the process can take a number of years. However we will ensure that you receive interim payments throughout that period where possible to ease any financial burden. We will provide you with support and guidance throughout the process and when dealing with any key decisions.
Communication and Funding Communication Funding The team take a proactive stance when dealing with any issues that may arise and ensure that you are fully involved at all key decision stages. We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients; we will always endeavour to make it easy for you to contact your solicitor. Listening to what is important to you is our priority and the key ingredient to offering you a personalised service. The team work very closely together to ensure that everyone is familiar with each case, allowing us to answer any questions or concerns you may have at any time. The level of involvement you have in your case is completely up to you. We appreciate that funding a case and its financial implications are usually an important concern for our clients. We will explain, in a straightforward way, the various different options available to you, including no win no fee (conditional fee agreements), public funding, legal expenses insurance and private funding. British Cycling and British Triathlon both provide their members with cover in respect of any legal costs of pursuing a claim. For our other clients, we are able to offer funding arrangements, which give the client peace of mind that they will receive all their compensation if the claim is successful or, alternatively, will not have to pay costs from their own pocket if the case is lost, known as no-win no fee arrangements.
Case Study: Martin Saunders Swimmer Martin, a self employed swimming instructor, was out on a training ride in April 2008. He was cycling in a clearly marked cycle lane when a motorist driving in the opposite direction turned right across his path to turn right into a side turning. Martin could not avoid a collision and was thrown across the bonnet of the car and onto the road. He suffered a serious injury to his right shoulder. Martin was taken by ambulance to Torquay Hospital and underwent surgery to his right shoulder. This was the first of 4 surgeries he required over the course of 18 months, leaving Martin with restricted movement in his shoulder, pain and the risk of future treatment. He continues to require ongoing physiotherapy. Although Martin has been able to return to work he cannot work at the same level of intensity as previously. His long term ability to continue working as a swimming instructor remains uncertain, which has been an added cause of distress. Martin, shown here with his niece Jamie Louise, was represented by Penny Knight and his claim was supported and funded by British Cycling.
Our expertise Sally Moore Head of Personal Injury Sally is lead partner in the accident and personal injury claims team and specialises in high value cases for catastrophic personal injuries. Sally has been a partner in the personal injury team for over 20 years. She has represented many clients who have sustained serious brain and/or spinal injuries as a result of a road traffic collision whilst cycling on public roads. She is regarded by independent client guides as a hugely conscientious lawyer with a tremendous grasp of the subject who fights her client s corner, who can be tough and makes good decisions. Penny Knight Head of Cycling Team Penny qualified in 1995, joined Leigh Day in 2007 and was made Partner in 2009. She is head of the cycling and sports injuries team, which acts for sportsmen and women including members of British Cycling and the British Triathlon Association. She is actively involved in campaigning for greater awareness of cyclists, particularly in relation to heavy goods vehicles. Penny has worked exclusively in the field of claimant personal injury law for 15 years and has a particular interest in how claims can be managed to ensure that the injured person receives appropriate, timely treatment and care to avoid the claims process adding to the injuries sustained. Both Sally and Penny are members of the Law Society s Personal Injury Panel and Fellows of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Penny Knight and David Standard from Leigh Day riding in the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride. Photo courtesy of www.mybibnumber.com
Campaigning for Safer Roads Our team is acutely aware of the importance of the campaigning work done by road safety charities to prevent death and serious injury on our roads. Many of the crashes and collisions that happen in the UK are preventable, and systematic failures such as lack of safety mirrors on lorries and HGVs must be tackled. Leigh Day lawyers see the devastating human consequences of these crashes, no more so than when we were involved in the inquest into the Welsh Rhyl Cycling Club tragedy when four members were killed when a car skidded on ice. We therefore avidly support the enforcement of a robust and rigorous legal system that will not let drivers off the hook when they injure or kill cyclists. As a firm, we are actively involved with a number of charities in supporting their work to reduce collisions on our roads.
Case Study: Lesley Page We are currently representing Lesley who was injured in a collision in June 2008 when she was cycling in North London to collect her son from school. Lesley was hit from behind by a lorry at a traffic light junction. She was knocked off her bicycle and run over by the lorry, suffering a serious crush injury to her pelvis and lower limbs. The driver was found guilty of driving without due care and attention, having been found to have toys and other paraphernalia on the dashboard obscuring his view ahead and to the nearside.
Case Study: Cherie Pridham British Cycling Cherie is now Team Manager of professional cycling s Team Raleigh. Whilst she was still 1 a professional cyclist herself we represented her on 2 occasions when she was hit 8 3 3 2 by passing vehicles which did 7 not stop. 4 We were able to assist Cherie 12 in claiming compensation from the Motor Insurers Bureau, a government body funded by insurers to provide 11 6 compensation to victims of road traffic collisions involving untraced or uninsured drivers. 9 10 13 pcs. 5
British Cycling As we increasingly become a nation of cyclists, both recreational and competitive, membership organisations such as British Cycling continue to grow. British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle racing in Great Britain. It represents Britain at the world body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and selects national teams, including the Great Britain (GB) Cycling Team for races in Britain and abroad. British Cycling is investing millions in cycling facilities across the country every year. They also bring some of the world s top cycling events to the UK. British Cycling is working with the Central Government to protect the future of cycle racing on the road. Members of British Cycling gain access to a vast range of information, from competitions, race results and cycling techniques to advice on road safety and equipment. British Cycling offers two types of membership, Ride membership and Race membership. Ride membership is for commuters, sportive riders and other riders who do not race, whereas Race membership is for competitive cyclists. Both memberships qualify for free legal advice from Leigh Day if you are involved in an incident which is not your fault. British Cycling has an incident helpline for members who have been involved in an incident whilst riding their bike. They will arrange advice and representation from Leigh Day on your behalf.
Case Study: Double settlement Pete Jackson / Mark Redwood British Triathlon Mark Redwood and Pete Jackson, both members of British Triathlon, were out on a cycle training ride in November 2007 when they were both hit by an oncoming car when the driver lost control of his vehicle. That car had swerved to avoid another vehicle that had overtaken Mark and Pete on a bend in the road and drove off without stopping. Fortunately the police were able to trace the overtaking vehicle and the driver was eventually found guilty of driving without due care and attention, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report it.
British Triathlon Federation British Triathlon is now a Federation, whose members are the three Home Nation s Associations of Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon. British Triathlon is responsible for the Great Britain Elite and Age Group Teams, British and International events, Anti-Doping and International Representation. This vibrant and dynamic Olympic sport is experiencing growth in popularity, with many amateur athletes enjoying the lifestyle benefits of multisport participation. Both organisations cover full legal costs for members subject to a case assessment by one of the solicitors in our sports and cycling team. As a growing sport, British Triathlon are keen to acknowledge the achievements of all those involved. Every year, they hold an awards dinner where individuals are recognised for their contribution to the sport. Categories include age, club, event, Para triathlon, elite and volunteering which Leigh Day is proud to sponsor. Through their link with Leigh Day, the Home Nation Triathlon associations in England and Wales can provide its members with a free legal service as part of their full range of membership benefits.
The Rapha Condor professional cycling team continues to dominate the domestic cycling scene
Condor Leigh Day s cycling team has a unique relationship with the UK s most famous bike shop; London based Condor Cycles. The firm provides legal support for Condor s customers ensuring they re aware of their rights on the road and fully protected following a collision, which isn t their fault. Leigh Day s clients are also referred, if appropriate, to Condor s assessment centre, which enables people who have suffered in the event of a collision to get back on their bikes. Condor is also able to adapt bikes to enable seriously injured cyclists to ride again. Grant Young, Condor Cycles Managing Director said: In the past we ve been contacted by solicitors working for our customers who have asked to know the engine size of the bike! The members of Leigh Day s cycling team are keen cycling enthusiasts and understand what can happen on the road and all the facets of bicycle ownership. The Gray s Inn Road based bike shop was founded in 1948 and their bicycles have been ridden to World Championship gold medals and in the Tour de France. They have also been the choice of Tour de France Winner Bradley Wiggins who began his career riding in Condor colours.