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Occupational Disease & Legacy claims

Our market-leading team handles thousands of occupational disease and legacy claims annually, serving insurers, self-insured companies, multinationals, and public sector bodies. With a global footprint, we track emerging risks and offer cross-border solutions.

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Market-leading experts offering quality technical advice

Our occupational disease and legacy claims team handles thousands of claims each year. We are trusted partners to major composite, run-off and specialist insurers, self-insured companies, multinationals with captive cover and public sector bodies. Our global footprint allows us to monitor trends and developments of emerging risks for our clients and offer cross-border solutions.

We act in individual matters (pre- and post-litigation), long-tail and short-tail claims, group litigation, strategic litigation projects. We provide advice on handling policies, government consultations and costs. 

Our expertise includes asbestos, asthma, lung disease, autoimmune disorders, back injuries, cancer, carbon monoxide poisoning, carpal tunnel syndrome, chemical and biological agent exposure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dermatitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome, pneumoconiosis, upper limb disorders, respiratory diseases, work-related stress and noise-induced hearing loss. We manage product liability class actions and a significant volume of run-off disease claims.

Our innovative strategies reduce indemnity spending when handling long-tail and short-tail claims, most notably:

  • Our 'pay and be paid' mesothelioma claims handling scheme
  • Our diffuse pleural thickening asbestosis initiative, and 
  • Our strategic approach to immunotherapy.

Our partner-led service assures quality through technical expertise, bespoke case management and information provision. Our global partner network advises on comparative law, litigation and emerging risks and issues. 

We work closely as thought leaders with industry bodies to shape the legacy and latent disease policy landscape. We keep clients up to date on the latest industry developments, helping them to prepare for changes that will impact their business. We regularly work with clients to build strategies to meet anticipated emerging risks, for example claims potential from the COVID-19 pandemic and dynamic Know Your Opponent strategies.

Brilliant. They are excellent technically, and get what our needs and desires are. They provide a tailored approach that works well for us" 

Chambers and Partners, 2022

Our Occupational Disease & Legacy Claims Work

  • All
  • UK & Europe

  • Fraud screening processes uncovers large motor fraud ring

    We acted for an insurer on a large motor fraud operation. The operation focused on 367 third parties claiming against 136 fraudulently incepted policies and was complex given it involved suspected staged accidents where often individuals did not exist. The strategies resulted in savings of 3.4 million for the insurer client. Additionally, following over 500 individuals being under investigation; payments were made on just 4 claims in total (97.55% success rate).

    United Kingdom

    Fraudulent claims result in custodial sentences

    We successfully applied for the committal of three Defendants for contempt of court. The application was made following their attempts to bring a fraudulent insurance claim, in relation to a staged road traffic accident. The first and third Defendants filed witness statements refuting our client’s allegations of fraudulent behaviour. All Defendants received custodial sentences, this ruling has important ramifications for those involved in fraudulent claims. 

    United Kingdom

    Own goal by non-league footballer as TV appearance defeats dishonest claim

    The claimant, attempted to claim over £55,000 for injury in a road traffic accident, he claimed that injuries to his foot meant he could neither stand nor walk for long periods. His appearance on Sky TV’s Soccer AM for scoring a goal from the halfway line, was one of the pieces of evidence we presented to the Court to prove the claimant was exaggerating the extent of his injuries. He agreed to a court order to withdraw his insurance claim and pay £5,000 costs.

    United Kingdom

    Employee-led fraud ring

    Representing a large local authority on a sensitive employee-led fraud ring. We ensured that reputational damage was avoided whilst achieving maximum repudiation and an IFED referral.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggerated claim undone by investigation

    We acted for a large public liability insurer following a genuine accident. The claimant alleged serious physical and psychological injuries, with his claim for damages and costs in excess of GBP 40,000. Our investigation uncovered that he was lifting heavy weights and we obtained video of him on one of the world’s highest waterslides. At trial, the claim was dismissed and the claimant was ordered to pay GBP 14,000 in costs.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggeration costs claimant dearly

    Following a genuine accident at work, our insurer client contacted us as they were concerned about the extent and impact of the injuries. This claim was handled using our Project Martello strategy for exaggerated claims. Our investigation uncovered that the Claimant was much more active than he was admitting. The Court ordered that the GBP 260,000 claim be discontinued and the claimant to pay GBP 5,000 to the Defendant.

    United Kingdom

    First industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring

    Acting for several large clients in the Preston area dealing with, what was deemed to be, the first industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring. We assisted our client by liaising with the IFB and delivered a 100% repudiation rate for all intimated claims.

    United Kingdom

    First private prosecution for public liability claim

    Acting on behalf of a global insurer defending a staged tripping claim brought against a supermarket. After defending the original GBP 60,000 claim to a successful conclusion at trial, we then pursued a private prosecution against the claimant - who received a 21 month suspended jail sentence for her part in the scam.

    United Kingdom

    Motor Fraudsters jailed for contempt of court

    We pursued contempt of court actions against three individuals who had brought claims against a top 10 UK motor insurer following a staged road traffic accident, part of a larger fraud ring investigation. While the claims had not proceeded to trial meaning the three individuals hadn't lied under oath, we pursued contempt proceedings and they each received prison sentences of between 4 and 6 months.

    United Kingdom

  • Fraudulent claims result in custodial sentences

    We successfully applied for the committal of three Defendants for contempt of court. The application was made following their attempts to bring a fraudulent insurance claim, in relation to a staged road traffic accident. The first and third Defendants filed witness statements refuting our client’s allegations of fraudulent behaviour. All Defendants received custodial sentences, this ruling has important ramifications for those involved in fraudulent claims. 

    United Kingdom

    Fraud screening processes uncovers large motor fraud ring

    We acted for an insurer on a large motor fraud operation. The operation focused on 367 third parties claiming against 136 fraudulently incepted policies and was complex given it involved suspected staged accidents where often individuals did not exist. The strategies resulted in savings of 3.4 million for the insurer client. Additionally, following over 500 individuals being under investigation; payments were made on just 4 claims in total (97.55% success rate).

    United Kingdom

    Own goal by non-league footballer as TV appearance defeats dishonest claim

    The claimant, attempted to claim over £55,000 for injury in a road traffic accident, he claimed that injuries to his foot meant he could neither stand nor walk for long periods. His appearance on Sky TV’s Soccer AM for scoring a goal from the halfway line, was one of the pieces of evidence we presented to the Court to prove the claimant was exaggerating the extent of his injuries. He agreed to a court order to withdraw his insurance claim and pay £5,000 costs.

    United Kingdom

    Employee-led fraud ring

    Representing a large local authority on a sensitive employee-led fraud ring. We ensured that reputational damage was avoided whilst achieving maximum repudiation and an IFED referral.

    United Kingdom

    First industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring

    Acting for several large clients in the Preston area dealing with, what was deemed to be, the first industry-wide EL/PL fraud ring. We assisted our client by liaising with the IFB and delivered a 100% repudiation rate for all intimated claims.

    United Kingdom

    Motor Fraudsters jailed for contempt of court

    We pursued contempt of court actions against three individuals who had brought claims against a top 10 UK motor insurer following a staged road traffic accident, part of a larger fraud ring investigation. While the claims had not proceeded to trial meaning the three individuals hadn't lied under oath, we pursued contempt proceedings and they each received prison sentences of between 4 and 6 months.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggerated claim undone by investigation

    We acted for a large public liability insurer following a genuine accident. The claimant alleged serious physical and psychological injuries, with his claim for damages and costs in excess of GBP 40,000. Our investigation uncovered that he was lifting heavy weights and we obtained video of him on one of the world’s highest waterslides. At trial, the claim was dismissed and the claimant was ordered to pay GBP 14,000 in costs.

    United Kingdom

    Exaggeration costs claimant dearly

    Following a genuine accident at work, our insurer client contacted us as they were concerned about the extent and impact of the injuries. This claim was handled using our Project Martello strategy for exaggerated claims. Our investigation uncovered that the Claimant was much more active than he was admitting. The Court ordered that the GBP 260,000 claim be discontinued and the claimant to pay GBP 5,000 to the Defendant.

    United Kingdom

    First private prosecution for public liability claim

    Acting on behalf of a global insurer defending a staged tripping claim brought against a supermarket. After defending the original GBP 60,000 claim to a successful conclusion at trial, we then pursued a private prosecution against the claimant - who received a 21 month suspended jail sentence for her part in the scam.

    United Kingdom

Our Occupational Disease and Legacy claims team

Chris Fletcher
Chris Fletcher

Partner

David Tait
David Tait

Partner

Toni Ashby
Toni Ashby

Partner

Duncan Batchelor
Duncan Batchelor

Partner

Jason Bleasdale
Jason Bleasdale

Partner

Harry Boyle
Harry Boyle

Partner

Isabel Burón
Isabel Burón

Partner

Clinton Cameron
Clinton Cameron

Partner

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