Darren Lewis - Industrial Disease

Darren has extensive experience in industrial disease litigation, with an emphasis on emerging fields such as non-freezing cold injury claims and claims against the Ministry of Defence. He frequently advises and appears in Court in claims relating to NIHL, asbestosis, mesothelioma and HAVS and other upper limb disorders. His defendant clients range from traditional heavy industries, for example Tata Steel in South Wales, to public services.

Darren undertakes appropriate claimant work on a CFA basis as long as there is no conflict with existing clients.

Darren’s substantial costs practice and lengthy experience with disease litigation lends itself to frequent instruction in CCMC and Interlocutory matters where a detailed knowledge of both areas is essential.

Recent work includes:

• Sharples v Fairclough – preliminary issue hearing for the Claimant. Later date of knowledge established despite multiple OH records indicating NIHL but the claimant established that he would have acted if he had been informed of the same.  Recording GP referral.
• Malpas v Hitachi – de minimis case for the defendant, but also relevant on the date of knowledge as, under lengthy cross-examination, the claimant admitted there were many solicitors who had required multiple instances of hearing tests.