Mike Cummings F.Inst.L.Ex

Solicitor

Professional qualifications:

Qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives 1981
Qualified as a Solicitor 1988
Diploma in Personal Injury Law

Experience:

Mike has experience in various types of litigation work. Since the mid-1980’s he has specialised in personal injury, clinical negligence and claims against other Solicitors for mishandling of this type of claim.

Mike has experience of representing clients with catastrophic injuries, both spinal and head injuries and in some cases both.

He has had cases referred to him from a number of sources including Headway and the Spinal Injuries Association. He has also served as Deputy Chairman of a local Headway branch.

Some of Mike’s cases:


Road Traffic Act Cases: 


Re J 
Joan was an elderly lady with a disability. She had just returned from a coach holiday with a friend and was standing on the pavement at the coach station having just collected her luggage. As he drove off the coach driver did not pay proper attention and knocked Joan down, causing her injury.

Initially the coach company’s insurers did not admit blame. Mike advised Joan, who was a widow living on her own, that in his wiew she had a strong case as she had not been at fault. Following negotiations Mike was able to persuade the insurers to change their minds and pay Joan compensation.


H v S
Our client suffered injury when another vehicle pulled out in front of his when the client’s vehicle was on the main road.

Our client was a family man with a wife and two children. His injury was so severe that he was unable to work after the accident and his wife became his carer, at the same time as struggling to bring up their two sons. There was a dispute about how much blame should be taken by the client who admitted that he had been exceeding the speed limit.

Mike advised his client that despite his admission his claim for compensation was worth pursuing. Mike pursued the claim on behalf of his client all the way to the Court of Appeal achieving sufficient compensation for professional carers to be employed to look after Mike’s client.


B v S
Mike’s clients in this case were two very young brothers. One of them was knocked over when crossing a road by a driver who was going too fast. The accident was witnessed by the other brother.

The early days following the accident were particularly anxious times, with the mother having to live at the hospital so as to be near her son, whose recovery was slow.

In the first instance the insurers denied it was the driver’s fault, and in order to pursue the claim Mike had to obtain supportive medical and other evidence from a number of experts. Following Mike’s investigations the insurers for the driver made a satisfactory offer of compensation which was accepted.

Other Personal Injury cases:

Re S
Mike’s client was a young inexperienced roofer who was not given proper training or equipment to do his job, as a result of which he fell through a roof and broke his back.

He spent over six months in hospital and was confined to a wheelchair as a result of his injuries. Mike worked closely with his client both arranging medical treatment and encouraging him in his efforts towards re-training. Mike’s client, despite his injuries, showed great determination and enthusiasm for life.

Mike was able to secure a six figure sum in compensation for S.

D v TTL
Doreen was an elderly lady travelling into town on the bus to do her shopping. The bus driver did not give her enough time to sit in her seat and she was thrown forward, landing heavily. The bus driver was rude and failed to offer her any help.

Following the accident Doreen was in a lot of pain and her confidence was so badly affected that it was a long time before she had the courage to travel on a bus on her own. The bus company’s insurers showed no willingness to accept liability or to make an offer of compensation. Mike advised Doreen that in his view she was entitled to compensation and commenced court proceedings, following which the bus company made a low offer. Mike advised Doreen that she was entitled to more, and following further negotiations Mike secured more compensation.

Clinical Negligence:

Re: B
Mike’s client was paralysed from the waist down because firstly a GP and then a hospital failed to diagnose in time that she had a spinal cyst.

Mike recognised from an early sage that his client was going to need considerable help and support. Mike gathered evidence of the failure to diagnose, which included telephone calls she had in the middle of the night to her GP, telling him that she was gradually losing the feeling in her legs, and of his lack of concern. B. had to spend many months in hospital during which time she showed great courage and was supported by her very close and caring family.

Mike found the way in which she came to terms with her disability, for which there was no cure, very heart warming and it was a very great pleasure to him to be able secure a large payment for her following negotiations after court proceedings had been started. .

Claims against other Solicitors:

Re: S
Mike’s client was happily married with two young children when he was involved in a road traffic accident which had a devastating effect on his ability to work and on family life.

Things were made much harder because the first Solicitor did not keep in proper touch with the client to let him know what was happening. In fact there were long periods when nothing happened at all. All this delay only added stress for the client and his wife.

Mike was asked to review the case and advised the client that his original solicitors had acted negligently in his view. As a result Mike was instructed to seek compensation from the original solicitors. Mike was able to secure compensation and when the case was over the client and his wife spoke of being optimistic about their future together, having struggled for so many years since the road accident and having been so badly let down by the previous Solicitor.