Personal injury department boost for Vincents

Vincents Solicitors is investing heavily in its personal injury department, expanding across all three subdivisions with new fee earners and support staff.

Cath Pearson has been appointed head of the RTA division, overseeing the seven-strong team that deals with claims involving road traffic accidents. Formerly a PI solicitor with Lancashire firms Inghams and Scott Rees, Cath was most recently running a legal training consultancy, which she left to take on the Vincents’ role.

She said: “Vincents is dealing with more and more PI work, with clients coming from our across the country and even overseas to get support with claims regarding accidents and injuries sustained while in the UK. Helping victims of RTAs has long been my area of expertise and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to put together a hand-picked team of specialists to help grow the department further.”

Among Cath’s team is Eva Slater, a recently hired litigation executive with more than six years’ PI experience. Originally from the Czech Republic, Eva speaks five languages, including Polish and German, which are particularly useful when acting for foreign clients injured while visiting or working in the UK.

Cath added: “Clients have often gone through difficult experiences when they come to us for help, so providing a personal service is very important. We’re not a huge faceless organisation and communication is key. Eva’s skills are particularly useful in that regard, as is the compassion and professionalism of the whole team. I’m still actively looking for new fee earners who will bring those qualities, together with experience and the enthusiasm to be part of a very personal PI team.”

Growth in the PI department workload has also seen the expansion of the clinical negligence division, under director Carlos Lopez, with the arrival of trainee solicitor Rachel Simms from Birchall Blackburn Law.

Carlos, who joined Vincents himself last year, said: “Rachel’s extensive experience of managing both claimants and defendants will allow her to provide vital support to senior team members, including helping to investigate claims and liaise with medical experts. She also understands the complex issues involved with clinical negligence cases, so can support clients throughout the process ensuring professionalism and empathy at all times.”

Recruitment is also underway for the employers and public liability team, further expansion to the RTA team and for a personal injury marketing specialist. [caption id="attachment_64750" align="f-align-center" width="500"] Pictured: (L-R) Vincents Solicitors' Rachel Simms, Eva Slater, Cath Pearson and Carlos Lopez[/caption]