Simon is an experienced personal injury lawyer based in Thompsons’ Oxford office. He is a valuable member of the civil assault team, committed to supporting workers injured during the course of their employment such as nurses, support workers, and prison officers.
Simon’s work requires consideration of risk assessments and policies/procedures to determine if an employer has breached their legal duty of care by failing to minimise a risk of harm to their staff. Thereafter, Simon endeavours to seek compensation for clients’ injuries and financial losses arising from a legal breach of duty.
Simon is the regional handler of cases involving prison officers/staff who have been assaulted by prisoners during the course of their employment. He has recovered significant damages for these clients.
Simon has worked in personal injury litigation for nearly 30 years, and has handling cases for over 23 years. Simon joined Thompsons in 2013, and works tirelessly to ensure those people he represents receive the specialist advice needed to pursue a claim through to a successful conclusion.
Case Experience
Prison officer assault claim (1): Simon pursued a claim for a legal breach of duty arising where the risk of harm presented by a prisoner had not been suitably managed, leading to the client suffering modest physical injuries but developing significant PTSD, which was expected to reduce but never fully dissipate. The client was subsequently medically retired and Simon recovered compensation for the permanent injuries, but also a future loss of earnings due to being unable to return to work as a Prison Officer. Simon secured damages of £90,000.
Prison officer assault claim (2): Simon pursued a claim for a legal breach of duty arising where a prisoner threw boiling water containing sugar and ‘Spice’ (an intoxicant) over the client’s face. This led to the client suffering permanent injuries to his eye, in addition to developing a psychological disorder. The employer denied legal responsibility on the basis that it was not reasonably foreseeable the prisoner would use the kettle/boiling water in an assault, and it would have been disproportionate and potentially unlawful to deprive the prisoner of access to a kettle and boiling water. Court proceedings were commenced and the matter was listed for a trial date, before which the employer made a settlement offer which the client accepted. Simon secured damages of £7500.00.