Andrew Holcombe F.Inst.L.Ex

Legal Executive

Professional Qualifications:

Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Experience:

Andrew has approximately ten years of experience in dealing with a wide range of personal injury law. He commenced working in private practice for a leading South West law firm before working for a specialist Personal Injury firm in Berkshire. Andrew joined Harris Fowler Solicitors in 2007.

Some of Andrew’s cases:

Employers liability:

T v B
the Claimant was employed as a carpenter and joiner. In the course of his employment whilst working on a ladder installing glass in the frame of a conservatory he slipped and sustained injury. At the time of the accident he was working about six feet from the ground using both hands to fit the glass into a conservatory frame. Because of the layout of the construction of the conservatory it was not possible to place the ladder immediately next to the part of the framework on which he was working. The task the Claimant faced was awkward and difficult to maintain balance on the ladder.

Andrew successfully negotiated a settlement with his client’s employer resulting in our client receiving £27,000.00 in compensation.

Occupier’s liability:

A v BCC
the Claimant was the tenant of a Council flat. The Council arranged for work to be carried out to the bathroom at the premises which included fitting a shower. The shower was fitted with inadequate water drainage pipes which caused the shower tray to flood and water to spill on to the floor. Despite notifying the Defendant, the problem was not rectified. As a result of water spillage, the Claimant slipped and fell and broke her wrist.

The Council’s Insurers denied liability for the accident. Andrew obtained a forensic engineer’s report which supported the Claimant’s case that the work carried out by the Defendant breached Building Regulations.

The defendant continued to deny liability, so Andrew advised his client that he would issue court proceedings. As a result the defendant agreed to properly compensate our client.

Road Traffic Accidents:

A N Other
In this case the Claimant was a passenger in a vehicle. The Defendant, travelling in the opposite direction, lost control of his vehicle and crossed on to the wrong side of the road causing a head on collision. The Claimant’s right foot and ankle were crushed.

The Defendant initially argued that it was our client’s driver who had caused the accident. Andrew sought independent witness evidence which led to the defendant subsequently admitting liability.

Our client required significant treatment and surgery to her injured ankle which caused her to be unable to work for a period of time. She was under additional pressure, as she had to look after her young child at the time.

Andrew negotiated with the defendant’s insurers and was able to arrange for his client to receive all required surgery and follow up treatment on a private basis, and also obtain ongoing payments for child care expenses.

In this case the defendant initially offered our client £20,000.00 in compensation. However, after obtaining appropriate medical evidence Andrew negotiated an settlement whereby his client received compensation of almost £60,000.00.