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Andrew McDonald - Serious accident compensation solicitor
Senior serious injury solicitor - North East & Cumbria
Andrew McDonald has over 25 years of experience in the field of personal injury claims. Andrew heads up the firm’s Serious Injury Unit for the North East and Cumbria and has dealt with all types of accident compensation claims throughout England and Wales, and for hundreds of members of the British Armed Forces throughout the world.
Based in our Middlesbrough office, Andrew has won the respect of his peers and clients alike in securing substantial accident compensation for people who have suffered life-changing injury through the negligence of others.
Whether the accident was a result of an accident at work, a road accident, or often a claim involving public liability, Andrew has the in-depth knowledge to help you and your family receive the just accident compensation to which you are entitled.
The many accident compensation claims that he has brought to a successful conclusion over the years have included head and brain injury, spinal cord injuries, and sadly in many cases, fatal injuries, where he has fought for compensation for the bereaved families.
Andrew has extensive experience of pursuing all types of accident compensation claims and personal injury compensation claims for members of the Military, and is also the firm's National Coordinator for Military Claims.
Andrew is a member of many legal organisations, and organisations supportive of people with serious injuries or Armed Forces Personnel:
- a Senior Litigator as recognized by The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers [APIL]
- past Chair and Secretary of the APIL’s Military Special Interest Group
- serving as a Special Adviser to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee examining the introduction of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
- The Spinal Injuries Association
- Headway, the National Brain Injury Charity
- a founder member of the Royal British Legion Solicitors Group and has represented hundreds of members of the Armed Forces for over 20 years
Successful serious injury compensation claims
Here are a few of examples of serious personal injury and accident compensation claims that Andrew has been involved in, and some with which he is still involved.
Industrial disease compensation claim – Exposure to hazardous substance
Andrew represented this client in bringing a claim for industrial disease compensation, who had been exposed to dangerous toxins whilst in the RAF. The MOD had strongly denied liability for his client’s condition but after a long and tireless battle by Andrew and his client, which went all the way to the Court of Appeal, he won a groundbreaking decision after the Court dismissed the Ministry of Defence’s case.
Andrew’s client had been diagnosed as suffering from Multiple System Atrophy-P (MSAP), a Parkinsonian condition that affects the nervous system, many years after his exposure to a lethal cocktail of solvents. There is no cure and he is now wheelchair bound, and virtually housebound during the winter months when his condition is made worse by the cold.
The MoD argued that the claim was time barred (outside the three year time limit for making a claim for compensation) but this objection was dismissed at an earlier hearing.
The decision to allow people who develop neurological conditions in similar circumstances to pursue compensation claims against the MOD is a major victory.
Road accident compensation claim
Andrew represented a young man from Middlesbrough who suffered tetraplegic injuries in an horrific road traffic accident and was successful in securing a multi million pound sum in accident compensation for Mark Cook.
Work accident compensation claim – Road accident
Andrew represented a Hartlepool Council Highways worker who was in a Persistent Vegetative State for over 2 years until his tragic death. His serious and ultimately fatal injuries were received as a result of him being knocked down by a car whilst he was setting out the roadwork signage. Despite the very significant evidential difficulties faced, Andrew was successful in establishing that the car driver was in part to blame for this tragedy.
Accident compensation claim - Armed Forces – Work accident
Andrew represented the families of the submariners killed aboard the nuclear powered submarine HMS Tireless in an explosion beneath the Arctic.
Compensation claim - Armed Forces – Exposure to hazardous substances
In December 2008 Andrew represented a former Senior Aircraftsman with the RAF in the High Court [Wood v Ministry of Defence 2008] in his successful limitation trial arising out of exposure to toxic substances in the late 1990’s. The case is now proceeding to determine liability and causation.
Work accident compensation claim – Fall from height
Andrew is currently representing an Oil Rig construction worker who suffered a brain injury in a fall at work.
Accident compensation claim - Armed Forces – Spinal injury
He is also representing Army Air Corps Apache Helicopter Pilots in their claims for personal injury compensation for the spinal injures suffered due to excessive exposure to vibration and G Force in the lead up to the war in Afghanistan.
Road accident compensation claim – claim against employer (MOD)
Andrew recently won £150,000 in compensation for an army officer who was seriously injured in a car crash within hours of returning from Iraq. He was collected by a soldier assigned to drive him back to barracks. The driver fell asleep at the wheel and the car crashed into the back of another vehicle. Andrew’s client had to be cut out of the car by firefighters.
Andrew’s client suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg, ruptured ligaments in his knee, damage to his hand. He has also been left with Deep Vein Thrombosis as a result of his fracture, which must be managed for the rest of his life. He also suffers chest pains and has permanent back pain.
After working hard to regain his fitness, he has now been able to return to duty. However, his injuries will cause him increasing difficulties and he lives with the risk that his career may be shortened.
The Ministry of Defence admitted liability and Andrew was successful in securing the damages for his client, who was concerned that he would be unable to continue his career or be limited in what he would be able to achieve either in the military or post-discharge.
Andrew used his extensive knowledge of Forces negligence claims to ensure that he obtained the maximum compensation for his client. He brought this accident claim under civil law rather than the AFCS, which is often thought to be the only form of redress available to members of the armed forces.
His client was injured due to the negligence of the driver and despite the fact that the vehicle was a military one, his client was able to pursue a claim in the same way as any other member of the public.
Comments from accident compensation clients
Just a few examples of the gratitude expressed by clients for whom Andrew has successfully fought for serious injury compensation.
“From my own personal experience I found them most helpful in all aspects of my case, but most of all their genuine compassion and care towards myself and my family at a time when we needed it the most.”
Mrs Linda Hughes – Sister of man killed in an accident at work, received accident compensation
“I never thought I would be in a situation where I would have to take the Army to court. They just wouldn't accept that the officer commanding my tank had made such a fundamental mistake. I was forced to prove that in court and I am just grateful that I had Andrew McDonald on my side to bring the Army to account and secure proper compensation for me so I could get on and start a new life.
“I was very pleased with the settlement, I keep 100% of it. The MOD had to pay all the costs.”
Mark Waldman – Member of the Armed Forces who received accident compensation after work accident
“They were really thorough in evaluating my needs. They talked to my carers at length about my current and future needs and their costs. ... Andrew McDonald became a very good friend. He mostly dealt with my mam. But when he needed to see me he would call round to our home which was much easier than me getting to him.”
Mark Cook – Injured in a serious road accident and received accident compensation
“Their lawyer even helped change my attitude to what had happened to me. He encouraged me to remain positive and look to the future rather than the past, helped by the compensation I’ve been awarded.”
Ruth Hart – A naval officer injured in a work accident, received accident compensation
"Very professional, helpful and obviously very good at what you do. Most pleased with your service. Thank you."
Claim against the MOD for work related road accident compensation
Making an accident compensation claim for serious injury
You will receive 100% of the compensation awarded if you do have a valid serious injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you.
We will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.
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