2020 was an unforgettable year. The Coronavirus pandemic devastated millions of lives around the world and wrecked tens of thousands of businesses. Few were untouched by the virus. The scientists tell us that not until the vaccines work their magic, will we see the bacterium retreat from our everyday lives.
Throughout 2020, we faced the battle with typical human resilience and ingenuity; and we adapted. Inspiring us through those troubled times were our frontline NHS staff and essential keyworkers; the refuse collectors, supermarket staff and delivery drivers, the unsung heroes of our time, but also, folk like
Captain Sir Tom Moore. WWII veteran of the Burma campaign, Blankety Blank contestant, Centenarian and patriot, Sir Tom raised tens of millions for NHS charities in 2020 for which he was Knighted by Her Majesty The Queen. Legends both.
In spite of the virus, the lockdowns and the disruption that ensued, through cooperation and with the collaboration of others, and by using the very latest technology, in 2020 we were still able to operate and negotiate over £1.5 million in damages for our clients, all on a ‘no-win, no-fee basis’. Whilst of course we are not in the
Captain Tom bracket, we are nonetheless very proud of our work and endeavours during the pandemic:
“I would like to thank Grant and his team for the successful outcome of my injury claim. Grant is an exceptional lawyer. His attention to detail, professionalism and tenacity are second to none. He genuinely cares about his clients and the outcome of their case and I would have no hesitation in recommending Alma Law”
A review of our highlights from 2020:
- Soldier A – Injuries suffered to Corporal during military training in 2016. Liability was denied in full by the MOD. The case settled early last summer, just one month before the start of a High Court trial, at a virtual Zoom conference with the MOD’s legal team. The injured veteran received compensation of several hundred thousand pounds net of his £6000 AFCS award
- Soldier B – Permanent injuries suffered to another soldier during military training. Liability was again denied by the MOD. This case also settled at a virtual Zoom conference just one month before the start of a High Court trial, for an equally significant 6-figure lump sum net of the Claimant’s pitiful AFCS award. The previous year we had invited the MOD to talk to us...
- Soldier C – Fairly modest injuries suffered by soldier during military training. Liability denied in full by the MOD. This case also settled out of court during lock-down
- Accident at Work - Male truck driver who suffered very serious injuries in an accident at work. Liability was denied by the Defendant who alleged that the entire case presented by the injured Claimant was fundamentally dishonest. The parties met at a Zoom conference in October, only 4-weeks before the start of what we expected to be a robustly contested three-day trial. A six-figure negotiated settlement was achieved
- Military Cyclist - Sergeant who in August 2018 suffered serious injuries after a car pulled out of a side road into his path. Liability was admitted in full. Once the full extent of his injuries had been established, a five-figure settlement was paid by the negligent driver’s insurer
- Pedestrian RTA - Female pedestrian knocked over by a speeding motorist on a pelican crossing in 2018. We negotiated an excellent settlement in this complex case shortly before the March lockdown
- Highway accident - A pedestrian who slipped on a dangerous inspection cover in a Hampshire high street suffering a serious fracture to her ankle. Liability was denied in full by the County Council. A five-figure settlement was negotiated during the Spring lockdown
- Shooting - Innocent bystander shot in drive-by shooting. Awarded 5-figure criminal compensation damages
- Military fatality - The six-figure settlement of a negligence claim for the family of a career soldier, tragically killed in an avoidable training accident
Heading into 2021, we are instructed in a variety of challenging cases:
- Road accident fatalities
- Military climbing accidents – spinal and brain injuries
- Military clinical negligence – notably the delayed diagnosis and treatment of critically damaged knees, ankles, hips, and spines
- Military PTSD
- Cycling accidents
- Military hearing loss
- Several ongoing War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims – we continue whenever possible to provide free advice and assistance to dozens of veterans each year!
We have been inspired by you, our clients, and those who have supported them, and us, through the darkest of times and we thank you all, sincerely.
2020 was an unforgettable year and we embrace 2021 with all its hope and promise
Take good care folks and stay safe
Grant
Alma Law
1st January 2021
© Monty – Everleigh DZ
