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Defending Personal Injury Claims

We are able to help clients who have had claims brought against them for personal injuries and may have issues with the validity or adequacy of their insurance.

Usually claims can be defended by a client’s public liability, employer liability or other relevant insurance and, whilst George Ide does not act directly for insurance companies, there may be circumstances in which insurers are unable or unwilling to help and this can arise in some of the following situations:

A client has no insurance cover
Where the client has an excess on their insurance policy and the value of the claim is likely to fall under the excess figure
Where a client has an indemnity limit and the value of the claim exceeds that limit
Where insurance has been denied due to, for example, a breach of the insurance contract such as late notification or other material breach
Particularly in construction site claims where a client has the wrong kind of insurance and there is a dispute as to the employment status of a contractor
Rare cases where an insurer has gone into liquidation

We have assisted clients who have had claims against them in the following circumstances:

Road traffic collisions, including claims against cyclists
Accidents on construction sites
Accidents in the workplace
Occupier Liability claims
Trips and slips on client property

We would be happy to talk to anyone who may have concerns about any claims made against them in any of these or similar circumstances.

George Ide LLP. We're on your side

Contact our personal injury team

To find out more about our expert personal injury team and for further information about all aspects of our comprehensive personal injury service, contact one of our specialists directly using the contact details below.

Paul Fretwell | Partner

Head of Personal Injury

01243 812405 paul.fretwell@georgeide.co.uk

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Paul Lewis | Partner

01243 812408 paul.lewis@georgeide.co.uk

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Rachel Strange - Personal Injury Specialist

Rachel Strange | Associate Solicitor

Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence

01243 786 668 rachel.strange@georgeide.co.uk

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Aneta King | Solicitor

Personal Injury

01243 812418 aneta.king@georgeide.co.uk

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Ria Tallack | Paralegal

Personal Injury

01243 812447 ria.tallack@georgeide.co.uk

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Catherine Gidda | Assistant to the Personal Injury Department

Personal Injury

01243 786 668 catherine.gidda@georgeide.co.uk

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Client Testimonials

I would like to say a huge thank you to Paul (with the fantastic assistance of Karen and Lizzy especially) for the support and kindness throughout my claim as well as the superb outcome that he obtained for me.

I am in no doubt that I would never have achieved the result without the dedication, experience and can do attitude of Paul and the team. Their caring attitude, sensitivity and professionalism shined throughout the entire process. Despite the other side initially denying liability, Paul fought tirelessly on my behalf, to ensure they provided what they should do, thus allowing me to get back to as near a normal life as quickly and safely as possible. Right from the first point of contact (and I first met Paul from my hospital bed), the service was outstanding and second to none, the communication was excellent, and I was never in doubt as to what was happening, and why. I truly believe my subsequent recovery is down to the fact that I was guided so well by Paul and his team, and him obtaining the opinions of the experts he did.

The support was amazing, as was the end result, which has ensured I am able to continue to press on with my every day life without worry of what lies ahead, despite the disability I now have. I really cannot recommend Paul and is team enough, I would suggest to anyone that is in need of a personal injury solicitor to give Paul a call, it really would make all the difference.

Rusty Brown.

Paul Fretwell

How can I just say thank you, if I say it a hundred times it wouldn’t be enough. What you have achieved is unbelievable, I never imagined the compensation would amount to anything like that, if you recall, I once asked you if I might get another £27.000 making a grand total of £100.000, than I truly thought I could possibly get between £150.000 and £200.000 and I’d have been happy, so you can imagine how shocked and thrilled I was when the figure was doubled.

When I left your offices I was almost in tears, it didn’t feel right saying goodbye, I felt like I was saying goodbye to a friend, which I feel you’ve been. I don’t know how I’d have got through the last couple of years without your input, I didn’t even know I was entitled to compensation until you told me, which also means no rehab either. I can’t begin to imagine the mess I’d be in now.

I will be eternally grateful Paul for all you have done.

Best wishes

Sue

Paul Fretwell

I just wanted to say thank you again for all your efforts on my behalf, your resilience has been outstanding! Thanks to you, and the funds you secured, the process with Dorset has started already, and my new limb should be in my possession on October 4th (within a fortnight!) with the Echelon VT foot. This foot has a greater ankle bend which should help with the hill walking. I am also in much greater comfort in travelling in more testing conditions (when weather is wet especially), with the recent replacement of the 4wd car. This car will be especially useful when we intend to holiday in France with our friends during the winter months. Obviously my thanks are also extended to Lizzy and Karen for their efforts also! With very best wishes and thanks for your ongoing support,

Rusty Brown

Paul Fretwell

My daughter and I are extremely lucky to be alive after an awful road traffic accident on the M1 motorway 3 years ago. I had some severe injuries and fortunately I’ve recovered very well (although not without some life altering effects). My good fortune continued when I engaged George Ide solicitors to help with a personal injury claim a few weeks after I was released from hospital after almost 2 months.My dealings with the company have been outstanding in terms of professionalism, thoroughness and sensitivity. I feel that partner Paul Fretwell and his very capable team have worked extremely hard on my case. They achieved a successful and stress-free outcome for which I’m very grateful. I am most appreciative of the kindness and support shown to me throughout the time Paul and his colleagues advised, guided and helped me through what could have been a much more traumatic process without them. I would not hesitate in recommending George Ide solicitors to anyone who needs assistance with a personal injury claim. Paul Fretwell in particular is someone I have great confidence in and his diligence is exemplary. Many thanks once again Paul!

Paul Fretwell

I contacted George Ide LLP by recommendation when my husband was involved in a severe accident as a pedestrian almost 4 years ago. In the very early days Paul Fretwell visited us at home and was an immense support through what turned out to be a very difficult case. Paul immediately knew my husband’s injuries were life-changing and throughout he dealt with it in the most holistic way possible, including instructing the best counsel and experts, to ensure the most positive outcome for us.
Paul takes a practical and pragmatic, but supportive approach. For the duration of our claim he was unfailingly responsive, always communicating legal detail clearly and concisely, which was important given my husband’s cognitive restrictions and fatigue issues. We would absolutely recommend Paul and George Ide LLP to anyone dealing with the legal aftermath of a severe accident.

Martin & Lynne Gowers

Paul Fretwell

I have worked with George Ide LLP for many years, initially as a support worker but now as a Registered Manager. I have found their brain injury
team, more specifically Paul Fretwell, to be highly efficient, supportive and effective when working alongside me with a very challenging group of clients. Paul and the team at George Ide LLP have secured settlements ranging from £1-6 million and beyond, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for life for the clients and their families.

I have worked closely over many years with Ursula Watt and Stephen Shine in George Ide LLP’s Court of Protection team. I am always impressed by how adaptable and attentive they are in looking after their brain-injured clients who often display challenging behaviour. They are able to communicate in a way our clients understand and work in a very person centered way. They are firm but fair and always have the clients’ best interests at heart. Karl Thompson. Managing Director, THCS Ltd

Paul Fretwell/ Ursula Watt/Steve Shine

I don’t have enough words to describe how helpful, professional and supportive you have been, at a very stressful time for me. I feel really lucky to have had you as my solicitor. Your service was superb; it just could not have been better.

Paul Fretwell

We thought that we needed to write to you to express our deepest thanks for the way that you personally and all of the staff involved with you carried out the whole case from beginning to end.
The background people are often overlooked but we feel that we had the best team playing for us on all levels.

Paul Fretwell

Ian Oliver and Paul Lewis of George Ide Solicitors, and their appointed barrister, were outstanding in helping us defend an HMO licensing prosecution by a local authority. This was a complex matter which should never have been taken to trial by the local authority. However, thanks to the care, knowledge and tenacity shown by George Ide, the correct judgment was given. Thanks again for guiding us through this stressful experience.

Ian Wiggett, Pace Property, Lettings & Management Ltd.

Ian Oliver / Paul Lewis

I must of course take this opportunity to tell you how grateful I have been for all your advice, assistance and counsel during the past difficult months. You have been demonstrably skilful, resolute and responsive in all aspects of dealing with my case. I have always felt in very safe hands and your experience shines through, knowing just how to procure the best outcome. I can’t thank you enough for getting me through this horrid and complicated experience. With very best wishes.

Linda Tudor

Paul Lewis

Dear Mr Lewis. First of all I would like to say a huge thank you to you and your team about the hard work, time and money which you spent to deal with my claim. I agree with you that the settlement is reasonable enough and I know that you’ve did your best to get it.

Plamen Krastev

Paul Lewis

I have worked with Paul for several years now on various challenging cases. Paul has a very honest and open approach with the people he represents, his communication skills and ability to share complex information at a level of understanding for his clients is second to none. Paul has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by somebody who has acquired a brain injury and it is this understanding that ensures clients anxiety levels and concerns are kept at the lowest level possible at all times. Paul is realistic with his expectations and has had a high level of success with regard to achieving the right level of settlement to ensure his clients get the support they need for the rest of their lives.

Karl Thompson. Managing Director, Thompson Holistic Care Services (THCS)

Paul Fretwell