Bevan Brittan LLP’s personal injury team has a diverse client base consisting of both NHS trusts and insurers, with particular strengths pertaining to handling indemnity issues in motor claims as well as acting on behalf of buildings and contents insurers. The group is also well versed in the Animals Act and handles a large number of claims relating to injuries caused by pets. Head and spinal injury cases are an area of focus for practice head Paul Taverner, who is commended for ‘taking complex scenarios and condensing them to a straightforward decision’. At associate level, Adrian Neale is adept at disease claims, particularly those caused by asbestos exposure, while Claire Jones demonstrates ‘high levels of adaptability’ and is a go-to adviser for both public and private sector clients.

Clyde & Co’s Bristol-based team specialises in representing major insurers in large loss and catastrophic injury cases, with strengths in a broad range of matters including RTAs and occupational disease cases. Other areas of expertise augmenting the core practice encompass cross-border claims as well as police and HSE investigations. Andrew Lawson, who specialises in claims involving brain injuries, amputations, and paralysis, leads the practice together with Rebecca Shafto, who handles a range of catastrophic injury cases for insurer clients. Spinal and brain injury matters form part of the advisory portfolio of associate Emma Palmer.

Browne Jacobson LLP has a strong insurance and public risk practice in the South West and combines longstanding experience in healthcare with wide-ranging knowledge of the social care sector. Mark Barnett is well versed in cases relating to mental health capacity and mental health law; he leads the team together with head of technical claims and social care Joanne Pruden. Director Angela Williams is noted for her focus on claims pertaining to bullying and harassment.

DWF’s team represents insurers and local authorities in claims across the South West and South Wales, and collaborates with the firm’s regulatory and compliance group in both civil claims and the defense of criminal prosecutions. Fatal accidents, catastrophic injuries, and work-related stress claims form part of the practice’s work portfolio. Mark Fowles frequently handles cases relating to abuse and psychiatric injury and heads the team from Bristol. Former practice head Claire Gribben left the firm in January 2023.

Based in Taunton, Kennedys‘ personal injury practice is renowned for its adept team that specialises in representing managing general agents, loss adjusters, and syndicates in a wide range of personal injury claims. The team possesses particular expertise in claims related to the leisure, logistics, construction and service industries. Praised for his ‘technical knowledge‘, Mark Skinner is the key contact and is noted for his expertise in public liability cases.

Trethowans LLP‘s personal injury practice is noted for its work dealing with cross-border claims and matters relating to injuries caused by animals, where the firm is regularly instructed by large insurers. Lead partner Kelvin Farmaner is a ‘level-headed but determined litigator’ and specialises in RTAs alongside animal cases. Another key figure in the practice is Bethany Blamire, whose experience includes acting in liability cases for multinational and domestic insurers.

The casualty litigation team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well regarded for its work pertaining to the transport sector, particularly in regard to accidents on buses. Spearheaded by David Brown, a personal injury heavyweight with a wealth of experience in defending catastrophic claims, the team handles matters on behalf of both private and public sector clients.