M v A Supermarket Chain (anonymised for confidentiality)

Ben Handy was sole counsel instructed to defend a well-known supermarket chain against a £2m+ claim following an accidental fall in one of their cafes. The claimant suffered cauda equina due to a herniated disc, allegedly leading to constant pain and mobility issues, urinary and faecal incontinence, a permanent inability to work and a lifelong requirement for significant professional care input. The defendant primarily took issue with but-for causation due to the claimant’s pre-existing and (on their case) progressive somatic symptoms disorder, and with careful marshalling of evidence from their experts (spinal, colorectal, urology, pain management, psychiatry, and care) negotiated a settlement at JSM just weeks before trial for less than 20% of the pleaded value.