Richard Stead - Personal Injury

Richard is one of the leading practitioners on the Western circuit handling claims of catastrophic injury. He is highly regarded for his expertise in a wide array of complex and specialist liability claims including agriculture, animals, trees and construction. He has considerable experience in employer’s liability, sports injury and RTA claims, and regularly handles extremely high-value claims for claimant and defendant solicitors, particularly those involving brain injury.

Richard represented the claimant at first instance through to the House of Lords in the case of Mirvahedy v Henley [2003] UKHL 16 at which the claimant’s argument prevailed.  The claimant was severely injured when his car collided with a horse that had escaped from a field.  The case has become the leading case in respect of s2 (2) (b) of the Animals Act 1971.

Recent work includes:

• Acting for the claimant who was rendered paraplegic when a tree fell on him whilst visiting a house – issues of liability and quantum. Liability is denied.  The claimant requires suitable accommodation and a 24-hour care package.
• Representing the wife and dependants of a lorry driver killed in the M5 crash allegedly caused by smoke from a firework display. Richard represented the family at the Inquest and subsequently in civil proceedings, claiming under the Fatal Accidents Act.
• The claimant suffered brain and physical injuries in an RTA – change in character and left-sided spasticity, reduced mobility with likely reliance on wheelchair – claim in excess of £6m.
• The claimant was injured in an RTA with catastrophic head and facial injuries, leaving him with brain damage and total blindness. He is particularly incapacitated by reason of his inability to remember routes.  Now unemployable and requiring 24-hour care/assistance.  Case finally settled prior to trial at a value in excess of £3m.
• Acting for the defendant (instructed by insurer) in a claim by a widow in respect of the death of her husband caused by a bullock owned by her husband’s company – issue as to whether the company was liable for the death when the accident was due to the husband’s own fault. The defendant succeeded in the trial at first instance.