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Gareth specialises in high value and complex cases and also represents interested persons at inquests, including those with a jury. He is a proud panel member of the charity, Inquest.
Gareth recently appeared for families up against two very big national organisations. He obtained the conclusion that the families wanted which subsequently led to successful claims on behalf of the estates and dependants.
Gareth has experience of dealing with all types of claims such as road traffic accidents, accidents at work and occupier’s and public liability claims.
He has dealt with more unusual and complex personal injury claims involving sexual assault, product liability and an accident aboard a vessel, which was heard by the Admiralty Division of the High Court.
Gareth also has experience with Industrial Disease Claims, such as those for hand and arm vibration syndrome and noise induced hearing loss.
Gareth joined Ison Harrison in 2001 and since then he has developed into one of the firm's most confident and able lawyers. Gareth was voted ‘Ison Harrison Lawyer of the Year’ in 2016 by his fellow colleagues.
Boasting over 18 years’ experience within our Personal Injury Department, Gareth has dealt with every type of case that you can imagine, including a wide range of complex and high value claims.
In 2016, Gareth was appointed as Head of the Personal Injury team, tasked with overseeing and developing the department’s reputation for delivering exceptional client care, strong performance and negotiation.
Gareth’s speed of thought is perhaps his most remarkable asset, enabling him to immediately cut straight to the heart of a problem and develop a solution quicker than most. Gareth prides himself on being efficient, responsive and pro-active ensuring that all of his clients are kept up to date and remain fully informed.
Gareth loves client contact – clients return this courtesy and always appreciate his efforts. Due to his commitment to client care Gareth receives instructions that have been pointed in his direction from previous clients.
Gareth is a passionate rugby league fan, being a former professional rugby league player with Wigan and Hunslet, with whom he reached the Challenge Cup quarter final in 2003. As well as following rugby, in his spare time, Gareth enjoys spending time with his wife and four young boys- look out for them ‘geocaching’ across Yorkshire!
Below are details of a number of Gareth’s most recent cases.
Mr D suffered a catastrophic injury to his right leg. The injury led to recurrent episodes of infection (MRSA) and caused a great deal of pain and lack of mobility and was having a significant detrimental effect on Mr D’s life. Mr D was advised to accept a six figure sum by his previous solicitors in full and final settlement of the claim shortly before they went into administration. Mr D did not accept the offer and underwent an elective below knee amputation. Mr D settled his claim for over ten times more than he was originally offered. Gareth negotiated a substantial settlement for Mr D. Damages included provision for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, surgery costs, prosthetics, care and assistance and alternative accommodation.
‘P’ was out motorcycling with his brother ‘M’. As M approached a junction a vehicle pulled out into his path and he took evasive action by swerving to his right and he avoided a collision. P following carried out the same manoeuvre but this time the vehicle set off again further into the path of P and a collision occurred. P was pronounced dead at the scene. M was questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, speed was alleged and an inquest was opened. At a pre inquest review it was suggested that the finding was possibly going to be one of misadventure. The family were very disappointed with the way the police dealt with the case and were determined to have the correct cause of death confirmed. Gareth represented the family at the inquest and the conclusion was recorded as a road traffic accident, caused by a vehicle emerging from a side. Gareth then successfully recovered damages on behalf of M as a secondary victim of shock.
Mr H, a motorcyclist, aged 36, was travelling to work when a vehicle failed to give way and pulled out from a petrol station forecourt into his path. Mr H sustained a significant fracture of his right femur, fractures of both wrists and abdominal injuries which resulted in a significant period of rehabilitation and absence from work. Surveillance footage was obtained and medical evidence was contested, legal proceedings were issued and the case settled out of Court in the sum of £275,000.00.
Mr H, a miner, aged 54, suffered catastrophic high pressure injection injuries when a hydraulic pipe burst in the mine. He suffered life changing injuries to his abdomen, back and hip causing permanent pain and resulting in Mr H being unable to return to work. Medical evidence was contested but the case settled out of Court in the sum of £780,000.00.
Mrs R, a pensioner, suffered a fracture to her left hip when she tripped over a trolley in a big chain retail store. Liability was disputed and legal proceedings were issued. The case settled out of Court in the sum of £25,000.00.
Mr M, a master skipper aged 63, suffered fractures to his lower back when he fell down a hatch on board a vessel. Contributory negligence was alleged, surveillance footage was obtained and medical evidence was disputed. Legal proceedings were issued and Mr M received a sizeable settlement in an out of Court settlement, days before trial.
Mr H was out walking when he was hit by a A frame advertising board owned by a high street pub chain. Mr H fell backwards striking his head and sadly died the following day. Gareth represented the family of Mr H at the jury inquest which found that Mr H died when an unstable A frame advertisement board, owned by the high street pub chain fell in the wind and struck Mr H causing his death. Following the inquest Gareth successfully claimed damages on behalf of the estate.
T who had learning difficulties suffered a serious sexual assault when attending a specialised youth club at a local authority venue. Gareth successfully claimed damages on behalf of T against the local authority due to lack of supervision and insufficient door locks and chimes.
