Meet the team

Summary

I have specialised in personal injury and clinical negligence work for the best part of 20 years, during which time I have endeavoured to ensure that my clients receive as much compensation as possible as speedily as possible commensurate with the principles of fairness and justice.

Expertise

I am proud to be a founder member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) formed 20 years ago, the Premier Organisation for providing assistance to those who are injured as a result of accidents. I am also a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and as a firm Pictons are members of the Headway panel which is the National Organisation which supports those with acquired brain injury and their families. Pictons is also a supporter of the Road Victims’ Trust (RVT). I have considerable experience of the financial aspects of running a Legal Practice, an essential asset in the current environment.

Case Studies

I have acted on behalf of a number of claimants in very high value claims where damages in excess of £1million have been recovered. Such awards in cases where the clients’ lives have been shattered by catastrophic injuries provide the clients and their families with some financial security and the ability once again to gain some enjoyment and satisfaction from life despite their disabilities. The recovery of substantial damages in such cases is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. I have extensive experience of more general personal injury claims including those following accidents at work, slips and trips, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places. I also have extensive experience of dealing with lower value clinical negligence claims.

Testimonials

‘Mark always offers sound practical advice and cost effective solutions.’

Personal

I have always been a keen Cricketer but “wear and tear” on my body over a period of 30 years or so has meant that I have had to hang up my boots and partake of the gentler game of Golf on a regular basis. Family and friends take up the rest of my limited spare time.

Summary

I began my legal career in 2000 working as a paralegal for a London firm dealing exclusively with road traffic accident claims. I stayed in that role for over two years and at the same time studied in the evenings to become a solicitor. A traineeship followed at Jennings Son and Ash in London and I qualified in 2004 joining Pictons shortly after.

I am down to earth and approachable and I go the extra mile for my clients to ensure they receive the best possible settlement.

Expertise

I have been accredited with Senior Litigator status by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
My experience and expertise is wide and varied. I have dealt with the entire spectrum of personal injury work including road accidents, slipping and tripping cases, package holiday claims and accidents abroad, product liability claims, Animals Act claims, claims arising from negligent beauty treatment, fatal claims and criminal injuries compensation claims.

Case studies

I recently secured compensation for two clients injured as a result of negligent beauty treatment carried out at the same beauty salon.

I successfully secured compensation for an IBC worker in a difficult case which came to me very late in the day after his previous solicitors withdrew from the case. Court proceedings had to be issued within weeks of instructions being received and my commitment to the case paid off when the claim settled without the need for a trial.

I secured compensation for a young girl in an unusual product liability case; a can exploded when she opened it cutting her face and leaving her with facial scarring.

Personal

I am married to Sukh Saini, member and family solicitor at Pictons and we have two young children. I enjoy watching football and taking my son to football training, reading and cooking and I am interested in politics and current affairs.
 

Summary
 

The word “compensation” is often used by the media to show that either lawyers or their clients are only interested in money-try saying that to a client who is suffering from a brain injury. We are not here just to obtain monetary compensation. I take a pride in helping my clients in all aspects of their cases, from financial to medical, from disability to rehabilitation.

My approach to my clients is that no mater how busy you are “I am always there available”.

Expertise
 

I am an expert in all aspects of Personal Injury law. I have dealt with many types of cases during my career , from Road Traffic Accidents at one end of the spectrum to Group Actions (where you act on behalf of a number of clients who have been affected by the same problem) Actions on behalf of clients who have had accidents at work, Industrial Disease claims, such as Deafness or Asbestosis, Public Health claims, such as E-Coli, Water Pollution, Salmonella. Product liability claims (such as dealing with faulty hips) Claims on behalf of clients who have been involved with serious accidents, including Brian Injury.

Case studies

I am acting on behalf of clients who were involved in a water pollution claim in North Wales (Crytosporidium) most of who have contracted Irritable Bowel Symptoms. I have lead a Group Deafness Claim where I represented the Group. My role involved in leading the Group. I have dealt with other Group Actions including representing over 450 clients in another water pollution claim. I had also represented clients in a number of E-Coli outbreaks. In 2005, following the Buncefield explosion in Hemel Hempstead I represented (and still do) clients who were effected by the explosion, some of whom lived only metres away from the terminal site.

Highs and lows of my career.

All in a fleeting second. Being interviewed, live on Sky television on the first anniversary of the Buncefield explosion. Just as I was due to go on air the producer asked me to remove the umbrella that was protecting me from the force 9 gale so that the camera man could see the Buncefield terminal behind me. As a result I could not hear the questions from the studio and had to “second guess what questions they were asking”

Personal

I play the guitar badly (or so my family tell me) I am a keen DIY/Gardiner enjoy all forms of music and in particular country music. Enjoy photography.
 

Summary

I have specialised in claimant personal injury work for over 15 years. I was formerly a partner in a large claimant personal injury firm in London.

Attaining the best possible outcome for my clients is paramount to me. I have achieved some exceptional results, whether the claim is large or small.

I am empathetic, supportive and approachable. I put things across in a clear, unstuffy way so that my clients understand the legal process and have the information they need to make balanced decisions affecting their future.

Expertise

I am a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel and have been accredited with Senior Litigator Status by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. I have had case material published in Kemp (one of the ‘Bibles’ in personal injury law). Pictons are members of the Headway Panel (the organisation which supports adults with acquired brain injury and their families).

I specialise in traumatic head and brain injury cases, as a result of assaults, road traffic accidents, accidents at work etc. My experience includes both claims to the Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (CICA) where the injury has resulted from a criminal offence; and civil cases (claims against companies, individuals etc).

I also have extensive experience of the more general personal injury claims, including those following accidents at work, slips and trips, road traffic accidents and accidents in public places.

Case Studies

My recent brain injury cases have included successful claims on behalf of a young man who sustained a severe brain injury as a result of an assault; and a baby who sustained catastrophic injury at the hands of her father.

Testimonials

“Throughout the period of time I have been in contact with Emma, she has not only acted with professionalism, but also great compassion... Emma has ... given me a quiet sense of optimism without misleading me or making any false promises.... The compensation I have been awarded is a life-changing sum of money and due to the outstanding professionalism Pictons have demonstrated”.

“Thank you for your patience and persistence with a claim that no-one was prepared to take seriously. It was your personality and skill that made this victory possible”.

“Emma ... is a formidable but wonderful lady and I am extremely grateful for her skill and dedication in winning my case which was against the odds. I honestly believe that I would not have won with anyone else”.

“I am very happy with the outcome, and with the way you pulled it off. You’ve done a wonderful job. I very much appreciated your unfailing courtesy and dedication to a job which, although ... important to me, must have been small beer for you. I felt that you gave it your full attention; it was particularly reassuring to be consulted and kept posted at every stage in the process”.

“Thank you for your guidance... You have been a tremendous support and [we] have valued your professionalism and knowledge. I certainly couldn’t have continued without your help”.

“Your excellent advice and encouragement since the accident has really been of the most tremendous help and has sustained me when I felt very low and unhappy. If I had not had your sympathetic understanding I would not have proceeded and would have been left feeling very helpless and a sort of victim”.

“It has been a pleasure for me, having you as my solicitor. You have been very helpful and kind.”

“Thank you for handling my case with such professionalism. I appreciated being kept updated and you gave me good advice in a friendly, unstuffy way”.

“I can’t thank you enough for your brilliant handling of my claim and me! I was very fortunate indeed to have you as I would never have been able to keep my resolve to go through with it with anybody else. I am so grateful for what you achieved. It will make a real difference to me.”

"Can I just say that you have been a delight to work with, professional , tenacious and always there to support my case through to the bitter end, If I need your help in the future, I know where to come" - November 2011

Personal

My interests include art, auctions/vintage collectables and music. I have travelled a reasonable amount, spending time in Europe and the Far East. One of the most challenging things I have done is a parachute jump to raise money for charity. (I would not repeat this experience!)

Summary

I have acted for the victims of accidents and deliberate assault for many years. Everyone is different and at Pictons we pride ourselves treating our clients as individuals.

Expertise

I represent the victims of traumatic injury and physical and sexual abuse. I am a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and Headway. I also have membership of the Law Society's personal injury panel. Additionally I advise and represent the interests of families at the Coroner's Courts in Luton and Bedford as part of a duty rota.

Case Studies

I recently acted for a family bereaved of their daughter. I attended the criminal proceedings and secured compensation for the parent. I also represented the interests of an aspiring dancer who suffered permanent injury following a road traffic collision. I secured an award of compensation which will provide financial security as she struggles to work. Currently I am representing victims suffering severe head injury helping to provide care and support.

Personal

Music, tennis and theatre

Summary

I initially joined Pictons as a junior administrator in the Conveyancing Department shortly after leaving school. This role sparked my interest in a career in law and I decided to pursue a law degree at London Metropolitan University, whilst still working part-time at Pictons. After gaining a 2:1, I went on to complete my LPC at the College of Law and achieved a distinction.
After completing my studies, I worked as a paralegal in both the Conveyancing and Family Departments at the Hemel Hempstead office before commencing my training contract in November 2010.

 

Expertise

 

I have undertaken a number of roles in the residential Conveyancing Department including taking new enquiries, providing general assistance to the fee-earners in the department, managing both freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, and dealing with all post completion matters.

During my time in the Family Department I have gained experience in various areas of family law including:- divorce, ancillary relief, care cases, private children matters and injunctions.

I am currently in the third seat of my training contract and am working in the Personal Injury Department. This role involves providing general assistance to the solicitors in the department on a wide range of personal injury cases including road traffic accidents, slips and trips, criminal injury compensation claims, workplace accidents and beauty claims.

 

Personal

 

I enjoy watching films, socialising and dining out. I also enjoy playing the piano. I keep fit by going to the gym, swimming and attending yoga and spinning classes.