Gerard Martin QC

Barrister Profile

Gerard has a well-established specialist personal injury and clinical negligence practice. He acts for both Claimants and Defendants and has particularly strong expertise in matters involving severe brain injury, spinal cord injury (complete and incomplete), amputees (upper and lower limb) and chronic and complex regional pain syndromes. He is recommended as a "Leading Silk" in Chambers and Partners 2006 (Personal Injury). 

Gerard is at the forefront of ongoing issues in the funding of major awards for damages and the methods of payment.  A large part of his practice involves representing adults and children who have sustained severe brain injury. Each case is complex, it may have issues of non-compliance, significant risks with regard to epilepsy, and significant changes of personality, to name but a few of the consequences of these injuries. As complex cases, they require careful and sensitive handling.

Birth injuries and celebral palsy are also an important part of his practice. The key elements of success in winning these cases are martialling the medical records, attention to detail and choice of experts. One of Gerard's particular skills is that he assists in the identification of the appropriate expert for the case.

Spinal injuries both complete and incomplete, tetraplegic and paraplegic, are another area of special interest. Substantial interim payments are necessary to provide the right accommodation for clients with these injuries and he is closely involved in advising how to present these cases successfully. 

Gerard has been involved in amputee work now for about 20 years and has represented clients with all forms of this type of industry. He never underestimates the psychological impact upon the injured person of an amputation and keeps a special interest in advances in both prosthetics and cosmeses that continue to be made.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is another condition where he has long standing experience of working with persons unfortunate to suffer the condition.

Professional Membership

Gerard is Chairman of the Northern Circuit Medical Law Association