Senior Associate
Work Synopsis
Louise Plant is a Senior Associate in Prettys’ superb Personal Injury and Insurance Services team, based in Ipswich.
Having trained at the firm, qualifying in 2003, Louise worked at two other large corporate firms before returning to Prettys in April 2017, and now heads up the Personal Injury team.
Louise handles a wide range of personal injury and insurance matters.
These include claims as a result of road traffic accidents, accidents in the workplace, incidents that take place on public or private property / accidents in the home, and some clinical negligence matters.
Louise also deals with a number of disease and occupational health cases, in particular claims that relate to psychiatric injury and stress at work, and her workload includes extensive claims involving sexual assault and harassment.
Expertise
Louise is an experienced litigator, and assists the employment team, in particular advising upon workplace practices, providing health and safety advice and undertaking workplace investigations.
Representing both sides
Prettys act on behalf of both individual clients and companies on both sides of personal injury claims.
As a result, the team understand the options, issues and factors for every circumstance.
This process enables the team to put forward the best case possible on behalf of their clients.
Louise said: “It is really helpful representing both claimants and defendants because you know what the other side are going to do and say.
“It means you can really tailor your work to the needs of the individual client.”
Louise has dealt with a number of complex and often high-value cases. These include Animals Act matters, road traffic accidents, Occupiers Liability claims (both the 1957 and 1984 Acts), and claims involving multi-party and contractual / sub-contractor issues.
She has also worked on claims involving Highways Authorities and Utilities providers working on the highways and on private property.
Louise believes in building strong working relationships while providing a personal and bespoke service to every client.
“I grew up in Suffolk, and one of the things I missed when I was away from Prettys was having that understanding and knowledge of the locality and in particular the people that live here.
“I enjoy being able to meet people face-to-face and speak with them about their circumstances – I find you can better develop relationships with your clients.”
Personal Synopsis
Louise assists as a legal advisor at the Suffolk Law Centre in Ipswich, as well as working with a number of the local charities and services that provide assistance and advice to survivors of sexual assault, harassment or abuse.
She gives free expert legal advice to anyone who needs it in respect to personal injury and cases mainly involving litigation of some form.
“Suffolk Law Centre is a local charity, and I give advice to people who may not be able to normally access it.
“It is about being part of your local community while doing your bit to help.”
Louise is also a member of The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Recent Work
Louise’s recent work for individuals includes:
- representing a client who sustained a serious brain injury as a result of an injury at work
- representing a client who sustained serious life-changing injuries to her hands from a dog attack
- acting on behalf of a client who suffered serious internal and orthopaedic injuries from a high-speed, head-on collision
- obtaining damages for a client whose daughter’s remains were wrongly disposed of by an NHS foundation trust.
Additionally, Louise has advised numerous clients in respect of their claims for sexual assault or harassment in the workplace. Louise has advised, and continues to advise individuals who wish to claim compensation, either via the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme or by pursuing private individuals and / or companies following cases of sexual assault, harassment and related offences.
In respect of her work on behalf of companies / on the insurance side of her work:
- She has advised an international company on the investigation of a serious road accident involving an employee hit by a bus.
- Louise was recently instructed to act on behalf of a public body to deal with a number of claims arising out of historical abuse in the workplace.
In addition, Louise has acted on behalf of numerous individuals in the successful defence of Animals Act cases.
These include cases involving dog bites and injuries and as a result of falls from horses.
Notably, Louise successfully defended the case of Turnbull v Warrener [2012] EWCA 412 in the Court of Appeal, which involved complex arguments relating to the interpretation of the Animals Act 1971.
Insights
Ensuring your Road Traffic Accident Claim doesn’t hit a bump in the road
Posted on: 05/07/2024