Moore Blatch makes high profile appointment to its personal injury team
Moore Blatch has appointed highly respected serious injury lawyer, Trevor Sterling, to its personal injury (PI) team as a partner responsible for new PI business relating to health and social care.
Trevor, who has thirty years experience in the legal profession, has handled a wide range of personal injury claims and has a special interest in major trauma cases, particularly brain injury, spinal injury and amputations. He also has considerable experience handling inquests and inquiries, and was commended by Chambers UK guide for having a “significant reputation” as an “extremely polished performer” offering “high levels of expertise”.
Trevor has been involved in a number of serious and highly publicised investigations that have had substantial national significance. He represented a number of Thalidomide victims and was formerly the co-lead lawyer on behalf of 60 Jimmy Savile child abuse victims, reporting on The Pollard Review and Operation Yewtree investigations, as well as liaising with The Dame Janet Smith Review.
Trevor has also represented four out of seven of the UK nationals killed after being taken hostage by Al Qaeda at the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria at the beginning of 2013. Through a Channel 4 documentary instigated by Trevor, he increased awareness and successfully campaigned for the scope of the inquest surrounding the deaths to be broadened, ensuring that all circumstances were fully investigated.
In 2008, Trevor received the Bar and Law Society’s ‘Rising Star: Advocate In The Face Of Adversity’ award following his success in a landmark employers’ liability suicide, heard in the House of Lords, regarding a claimant, who committed suicide after suffering major trauma injuries and severe depression, as a result of an accident at work in which he was nearly decapitated.
Trevor has also represented a victim injured in the Paddington rail crash that suffered 80% burns; secured a £1m settlement on behalf of a leg amputee and recovered substantial damages for a British Olympic swimmer, who sustained a brain injury in the US and went on to successfully compete in the subsequent Commonwealth Games.
Moore Blatch senior partner and head of personal injury, Damian Horan comments: “Trevor’s appointment is an integral part of the personal injury department’s continuing development and his experience will not only build on the team’s existing expertise, but will also help develop a high calibre of future work that will continue to support our strong reputation in this area, making us the preferred choice for clients.”
Trevor will work across the firm’s offices and is looking to build relationships with health and social care providers particularly in and around London and the South.
Commenting on his new role, Trevor Sterling says that he was impressed by the firm’s approach to personal injury work, particularly its launch of a new alternative business structure, Aspire Law, which provides dedicated support for spinal cord injuries, he comments: “Many of the cases that I have advised on have had a life-changing impact. I am always mindful of the wider benefits of my work and a need to support health and social care providers, including charities, to help bring about positive change and hopefully influence policy/procedure. At Moore Blatch, I believe I have an opportunity to expand on this work and am looking forward to building new relationships through my role.”
In addition to his legal work, Trevor has also held a number of prestigious external roles and has been region secretary for APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), as well as secretary and chair to Headway West London. He is currently on the IUA (International Underwriting Association of London) Rehabilitation Committee and is undertaking a review of the Rehabilitation Code. He is also a regular lecturer on rehabilitation and Pathway Support, and previously shared a platform with Ken Livingstone and Barbara Follet during the European elections in 2008.
Originally a trade union lawyer, Trevor is a great supporter of local community initiatives and established a mentoring scheme for under-achieving children with Paul Boateng MP as patron. He has also been a Governor of schools and a member of trade union committees, helping to promote equal opportunities. More recently he was involved in the campaign by the Donald Woods Foundation for the memorial statue of Nelson Mandela and attended its unveiling.
