Pankaj Madan

Barrister Profile

Pankaj has an excellent reputation in Personal Injury Law. He has a balanced practice representing both Claimant and Defendant usually in high value multi-track cases. He is from a medical family and has a good understanding of medical issues. Renowned for an eye for detail and a good sympathetic client approach he also has been described by the Legal 500 as a “tough advocate”. He is again highlighted in the current 2010 edition.

Based primarily on the North Eastern Circuit, Pankaj is instructed and respected by leading national firms, both Claimant and Defendant.
 
He is experienced in claims of the utmost severity exceeding £1 million and is at ease undertaking very substantial multi track claims.

He has particular interest and expertise in:

 - Hyper-extension flexion injuries leading to Chronic Pain syndrome, or exacerbating pre-  
   existing conditions such as fibromyalgia and joint hypermobility syndrome
 - Head injuries with a particular interest in subtle brain injury
 - Chronic spinal injuries
 - Unusual Psychiatric Injury e.g. Somatisation Disorder and Hysterical Conversion Syndrome
 - Employer's liability and health and safety at work related claims
 - Industrial deafness and disease
 - Evidence of fraud obtained after trial, recovery of damages actions and contempt of court.

Pankaj enjoys keeping fit, photography, travel, the theatre and the opera. He is from a medical background is married to a Consultant Child Psychiatrist and has recently become a dad.

Appointments

Deputy District Judge (Civil) 2010

Qualifications

MA (Cantab.) Hons. (Law Tripos) Magdalene College, Cambridge

Accredited Advocacy Trainer North Eastern Circuit

Trained by CEDR – "Representing Clients in mediation"

Awards

Harmsworth Scholar of the Middle Temple 

Astbury Scholar of the Middle Temple

Professional Membership

Personal Injuries Bar Association 

Publications

Former Assistant Editor of "Personal Injury Precedents and Pleadings" 

Interesting Cases

Sargent v Gillie (2007) - Defended a claim at trial down from approximately £100,000 pleaded value to less than £5,000 following cross examination of a Claimant utilising surveillance evidence obtained of him.

O’ Hanlon v London Underground (2008) - Acted for the Claimant for psychiatric injury arising out of the Chancery Lane Underground Rail accident in January 2003- resulting in a settlement in excess of £200,000.

Batson v Craske (2009) - Acted for the Claimant who was confined to a wheelchair for many years after suffering hysterical conversion disorder after a minor modest road traffic accident involving £120 of damage to the motor car. Claimant suffered from purely psychological injuries (Hysterical Conversion syndrome) and although would recover after trial, obtained a settlement of £165,000 amid allegations of fraud.

Batson v Craske (2009) - Acted for the Claimant who was confined to a wheelchair for many years after suffering hysterical conversion disorder after a minor modest road traffic accident involving £120 of damage to the motor car. Claimant suffered from purely psychological injuries (Hysterical Conversion syndrome) and although would recover after trial, obtained a settlement of £165,000 amid allegations of fraud.

Garrod v Nevendon South East Cars (2009) - Acted for an injured employee who has suffered a head injury, personality change and the loss of an eye after a severe accident at work resulting in a settlement in excess of £200,000

Proctor v Hussain (2009-) - Acting for a widow whose entire family were killed in a high profile accident on the motorway whilst travelling to the airport to begin their holiday

Greensit v Whiteley (2009) - Acted for a young mechanic against Leading Counsel for the Defendant who suffered some permanent spinal injuries in a frontal collision. Included issues of contributory negligence and complex medical issues arising out of the failure to wear a seat belt.

Allcock v Tyco (2009) - Successfully defended at claim at trial down from £80,000 pleaded value to less than £5,000 following cross examination of the Claimant’s medical expert and oral evidence from both experts at trial resulting in the Claimant having to pay substantial costs and pay interim payments back to the Defendant.

Bennett v TravelWorld (2010) - Acting for a widow whose husband was killed whilst they were on holiday likely to be a claim in excess of £1 million.

Flaherty v Donnelly (2010) - Successfully defended claim at trial down from £200,000 pleaded value to less than £10,000 following cross examination of the Claimant’s medical expert and oral evidence from both experts at trial.

Robinson v Eurocrest (2010) - Successful defence of an alleged accident at work on the basis that the accident alleged by the Claimant did not occur saving the Defendant’s insurer over £200,000 in costs.

A v B (2011) (Confidential) - Acting for a Claimant with a severely damaged left arm and C2 fracture of her neck with a pleaded claim in excess of £1.2 million.