Peter Burns has practised in personal injury litigation since undertaking his pupillage at Deans Court Chambers in 1993. He advises and appears on behalf of claimants and defendants. He has extensive experience of the whole spectrum of catastrophic injury claims, including spinal injury, brain injury and amputation. His caseload consists predominantly of claims valued in excess of £500,000 and he regularly undertakes claims valued substantially in excess of £1m. He has extensive experience of Joint Settlement Meetings and mediations.

Tomlinson v Congleton [2004] AC 14: Instructed by the Defendant in the House of Lords in a landmark case concerning occupiers’ liability arising from natural dangers in which guidance was given as to the importance of free will and the social utility of activities when addressing breach of duty. (With Raymond Machell QC).

Yates v Westminster Council: Social worker’s negligence claim. The Claimant, a paranoid schizophrenic, suffered cauda equina syndrome and serious orthopaedic injury after jumping from a 4th floor balcony. Settled for £1.73m net of 25% liability discount on a provisional basis with an entitlement to further damages in the event of the Claimant requiring lower limb amputation.

X v Y: Instructed by Defendant in a claim arising from a catastrophic brain injury suffered in a road traffic accident. The Claimant pre-accident was a drug dependent prostitute, giving rise to significant issues as to unmet need/causation. Settled for £1.25m net of 25% liability discount.

Rostron v Pets Choice. The Claimant suffered severe orthopaedic and bowel injuries when she was crushed by a fork lift truck. Settled at £1.75m net of 10% liability discount.

Smith v Clarke. Represented Defendant in a claim brought by the victim of a road traffic accident who was rendered a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic. Settled at £5.5m capital award plus £350,000 per annum PPO. (With Raymond Machell QC).

Merga v PMT. Employer’s liability claim arising from an ‘overpour’ in a foundry. The Claimant suffered full thickness burns to 60% of his body surface. Settled at £875,000.

Lenette v Lenette - Instructed by Defendant in claim arising from a catastrophic brain injury suffered by a child in a road traffic accident. Settled for £2.75m together with PPO of £120,000 per annum. (With Raymond Machell QC).

Sample current cases

Deegan v Birmingham. Defective Premises Act claim. Claimant suffered catastrophic brain injury falling down stairs to which no banister had been fitted. Liability compromised at 55% of damages to be assessed at a joint settlement meeting. Proceeds on quantum.

Atkinson v Hodsons Coaches & others. Claimant rendered tetraplegic when bounced out of his seat when travelling as a passenger in a coach over a level crossing.

Buswell v Beer. Claim pleaded at £6m for catastrophic ‘frontal lobe’ brain injury suffered in a road traffic accident. Listed for trial spring 2011.

McKune v Cohen. Claim pleaded at £5m on a full liability basis for a paraplegic victim of a road traffic accident. Listed for trial Spring 2011.