David Allan has appeared in many of the most significant recent cases in the area of industrial disease. He is recognised as a national leading Silk in this area.

Major cases Wilmore v. Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council [2009] EWCA Civ 1211
Causation of mesothelioma and test of material as opposed to minimal contribution to risk of harm. Defendant’s appeal to the Supreme Court heard in October 2010.

Miners’ Respiratory Group Litigation
Instructed as Leading Counsel for the Claimants where judgment was obtained after the longest personal injury trial on record. Has continued to represent the Claimants under a scheme which has dealt with nearly 600,000 claims

Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services Ltd [2003] IAC 32
Counsel for Claimant at trial, in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords, in the leading case on causation for asbestos induced injury. The Claimants were ultimately successful in establishing a new test for causation enabling many thousands of mesothelioma victims to recover damages.

Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd [2008] IAC 281
Leading Counsel for the Claimants at trial, in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords, on pleural plaque test cases which involved the nature of actionable injury.

Barker v Corus UK Ltd [2006] 2AC 572
Leading Counsel for the Claimant at trial, in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords, on the application of the Fairchild principle and the apportioning of damages.

Jeromson and Dawson v Shell Tankers (UK) Ltd [2001] PIQR P265
Leading Counsel at trial and in the Court of Appeal in an important decision on date of knowledge for asbestos induced injury.

Bradley v Eagle Star Insurance Co 1989 AC 957
Junior Counsel at trial in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords on a claim to determine whether an insurer could be sued where the insured was a dissolved company that could not be restored to the Register.