A specialist solicitor with a track record of helping people whose lives are forever changed by serious injury and loss has won national recognition for his dedication to putting their recovery at the heart of his work.
Leeds-based Samuel McFadyen, of Hudgell Solicitors, has been shortlisted in the ‘Unsung Claims Hero of the Year’ Award at The Claims Awards 2018, in recognition of the hugely influential role he has in ensuring his clients benefit from the very best rehabilitation support at all times.
Judges for the awards were seeking individuals whose achievements had made a crucial mark on the business they work for and are appreciated by their employers for the impact they have.
They were also looking for those who have made a clear contribution to their department over the past 18 months, and who go the extra distance to help an individual or client in need.
An ‘unsung hero’ in the cases he works on, it is the work Mr McFadyen does in the background when supporting clients that proves key to their long-term health, negotiating with representatives of defendants to ensure the focus is immediately placed giving those injured the support and care they need to make the best possible recovery.
This often sees legal disputes over liability set aside to instruct dedicated case managers and treatment teams, ensuring rehabilitation can start at the earliest possible stage.
Support to seriously injured will be highlighted at legal awards night in London
Mr McFadyen, who represents many people who have suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries in accidents, will now attend an awards ceremony at The Royal Garden Hotel in London, in June, where his work will be highlighted, and he will hope to pick up the award.
Having been accepted as a ‘specialist litigator’ with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyer (APIL) last year, Mr McFadyen has demonstrated his ability to ensure all parties involved in cases are committed to rehabilitation, whilst he has also recovered significant damages to ensure his clients are compensated for their suffering and loss.
His work highlights in the past 18 months have included;
- Securing £500,000 damages for a young man who suffered a serious leg break in a work accident, alongside a long-term rehabilitation support package including private counselling and support from a dedicated GP, consultant plastic surgeon, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, physiotherapist and dietician.
- Ensuring a rehabilitation plan, led by a dedicated case manager, was agreed for a woman who suffered multiple broken bones and injuries to many major organs in a car crash. Despite liability not being admitted, Mr McFadyen worked with the defendant’s insurers to secure an agreement to fully fund rehabilitation costs and provide an extensive package of physical, psychological and financial support, including home adaptations.
- Agreeing a £350,000 damages settlement and a vital rehabilitation support package for a schoolboy who suffered long term physical and psychological injuries when slicing through his hand with a bill hook. A dedicated case manager was instructed to oversee his progress alongside weekly psychological counselling, hand therapy treatment, whilst the boy also had a personal assistant and weekly tutoring to help his education.
- Providing ongoing support to a father whose partner and daughter died in a car crash, leaving him to care for his son who was 15-months-old at the time and suffered a severe brain injury in the accident, and his older brother, who was four at the time. Continued home-based rehabilitation support has helped the youngest boy’s recovery, independence, educational development and his quality of life, whilst psychological support has been provided to the father and older child.
Amanda Stevens, chief executive of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “We are delighted to see Samuel’s work recognised by his shortlisting in the ‘Unsung Claims Hero of the Year’ award.
“It is fair to say that Sam’s dedication and expertise is not something which goes unnoticed by those he represents, as many say to us just how much of a positive impact he has on their lives once he is instructed to represent them.
“Samuel is determined on all cases to make rehabilitation the priority, and he has a wonderful ability to bring all parties in cases together early on to establish clear and agreed goals which are in the best interests of those he is representing.
“This shortlisting is further recognition of our specialist work at Hudgell Solicitors in providing exceptional support to people who suffer life-changing injuries, and we wish Samuel the best of luck for the awards evening itself, as we feel he is very deserving of this award.”
