Until someone experiences a serious injury abroad, it’s hard to fully appreciate the difficulty, worry and long-term impact it can have.
People can find themselves dealing with complex situations, often involving language barriers and different rules and regulations. It’s my role to help clients through this process and ultimately work to secure the best rehabilitation package and compensation.
Get to Know Paul
Paul is a highly-experienced and respected travel litigation solicitor who qualified in 2001. He was recruited to head Hudgell Solicitors’ work in representing people who suffer serious injuries abroad in 2017.
An expert in international, cross border laws, Paul specialises in leading representation on complex and high-value cases across Europe and the world, representing people who have sustained spinal and brain injuries, and families who have lost relatives as a result of incidents abroad whilst working in another country or on holiday.
Many of Paul’s cases involve issues concerning jurisdiction and applicable law, and he also acts on behalf of people in group action claims and former British servicemen who were stationed as the US military training base Camp Lejeune and were affected by the contaminated of drinking water.
Career Highlights
I acted for a child who was three-years old when involved in a road traffic accident in Spain, suffering significant spinal and urological injuries. The case involved complex issues concerning the applicable law but we successfully persuaded the English court that English Law should apply to determine the amount of compensation that should be awarded. This made a very significant difference to the increased amount of rehabilitation, care and case management that could be provided to the child. The case ultimately settled for a multi-million pound figure.
I was also involved in a case where a woman was seriously injured by an explosion at a Spanish hotel which left her in a coma and with a serious head injury which required brain surgery. The case could only be brought directly against the Spanish hotel’s insurer and, although the seriousness of her injuries put the value of her claim in excess of £1 million, further complications were faced as the maximum level of cover against the hotel’s insurer under the insurance policy was €300,000. It was only after a series of negotiations with the Spanish insurer’s lawyers that the maximum amount of damages coverage was agreed, and subsequently approved by a Court. Subsequently, a seven-figure settlement was also secured against the Spanish hotel chain.
In the complex case of a woman who suffered a significant head injury after falling over a low balcony and onto a flight of stairs in a nightclub in Portugal, the nightclub was insolvent such and the claim had to be pursued against its insurer.
The jurisdiction of the English courts, liability, indemnity and the value of the damages were all heavily contested. Through careful negotiations, and having received expert advice from Portuguese lawyers, a settlement was successfully negotiated with the Portuguese insurer who paid the maximum amount under its public liability insurance policy.
Another of my clients suffered multiple fractures to her lower limbs in a ski accident in the French Alps when another skier collided with her. Liability was heavily disputed, but key witnesses were traced who provided evidence leading to the case being concluded 100 per cent in favour of the woman, leaving her entirely blameless and in a position to claim full compensation.
Recognition
Co-chair – International Practice Section of the American Association of Justice (AAJ)
Senior Litigator – Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
Member of the Pan-European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL).
Legal 500 – listed as a Leading Individual
Chambers and Partners – Ranked in band 1
In addition, Paul regularly provides expert comment in the national media.
Giving More
I often take part in fundraising events for charities by running marathons or ultra-marathons , those close to my heart are The Alzheimer’s Society and the Spinal Injuries Association.
Hudgell Solicitors also encourages its employees to undertake pro bono work as part of its commitment to local communities and I’ve enjoyed helping out at the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC) in Salford.
Paul has provided us with his services for many years and we have come to rely on his expertise and guidance in complex, international claims. – Chambers and Partners 2023
It is so nice having a solicitor that is very professional but at the same time approachable. The service I have received has been consistent since day one. – Chambers and Partners 2023
Paul McClorry; a leader by example and trusted. Solidity and skill of the team he leads are second to none. With his personable and approachable nature, fortitude, and trust, Paul’s knowledge and conversance with both the claimant and defendant sides is outstanding. – Legal 500 2023
