Andrew Clarke

Andrew brings claims on behalf of accident victims and has a special interest in Health & Safety cases. He also practices in other areas of litigation. He joined Brachers after training in London in 1994.

In Work- Accidents, Health & Safety and Inquests -

His work used to be exclusively acting against accident victims on behalf of employers, public authorities and their insurers. Now he has crossed the floor and mainly acts for accident victims in cases spanning motor, work place accidents, highways cases, psychiatric injury, industrial disease and consumer protection cases. He also advises on non personal injury cases eg property damage.

Andrew leads the Brachers Health & Safety group recently rated as “extremely impressive” in Legal 500 2011 and noted for its work on behalf of NHS Trusts.

He represents businesses and individuals facing investigation or enforcement action over alleged health & safety offences. This can involve representing clients at formal interviews by the police or the HSE and appearing on their behalf in the Magistrates’ Court and sometimes at Inquests. He often advises clients from the outset of the investigation process, as the early stages can be critical. He advises clients across all sectors and also bereaved family members in the different legal processes which follow a fatality - compensation claims, criminal proceedings and Inquests.

Recent Highlights -

Appearing in the Magistrates’ Court for a school prosecuted over an electrocution incident. Representing an overseas boiler manufacturer during the HSE investigation, at the Inquest and in the subsequent prosecution following a fatality during construction works. Representing ambulance trust at various Inquests.

Securing damages for a toddler whose teeth became trapped while chewing on the bars of a supermarket shopping trolley. Also for people injured by dogs, a pub landlord, a night club bouncer and following an left with psychiatric injuries following an arson attack. Proving a leisure centre had installed unsafe tiles in their changing rooms – and recovering damages on behalf of an elderly guest.

Andrew has an interest in rehabilitation and works to encourage employers to accommodate injured employees in the work place, as all too often people are injured at work and lose their job as a result.

In Public -

He produces e-bulletins on personal injury and health & safety topics. He gives talks to employers on risk management issues such as stress at work and manual handling. He organises seminars and in house training for organisations on health & safety topics, such as road risk, managing contractors and risk management in response to corporate manslaughter legislation.

In Business -

Andrew is a member of the Health & Safety Lawyers Association and active in the local branch of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health) as an affiliate member.

Andrew advises businesses on regulatory and risk management topics.

Outside Work -

Andrew ran a scout group in Bexleyheath, organising their weekly activities and leading camps and expeditions. With this background, he has a keen interest in the debate over a perceived “compensation culture” interfering with sports and outdoor education. Aptly enough he is carefully introducing his daughters to dinghy sailing and takes part in the annual Miracle Dinghy National Championships. He walked a war time escape route across the Pyrenees to raise funds for the British Legion. Closer to home he is leading local residents’ efforts to revive their village shop.

Being interested in mechanical things, Andrew runs a classic car and various bikes.