We have several new recruits – Matt Paton (previously of Crawfords) who is dealing with Material Damage claims and in particular is involved on the “Impact” Scheme.

We have also just recruited Tom Nichols from RBS as a Trainee Adjuster.

We continue to be involved in a wide variety of Liability claims including two recent environmental/pollution problems, one arising out of the Bulldog Bash, the Annual Hell’s Angels gathering.

We were also recently involved in a train derailment in a private yard/siding as a result of “shunters” error.

We recorded another success in the Court of Appeal in an Equestrian case of Smith v Dallimore, which is just one of a series of cases recently upheld successfully in the Court of Appeal concerning “consent” and it does appear now that the Courts are willing to accept that those who engage in hazardous sports do accept that there is the possibility of injury, and they accept that they might be injured.

Lorraine Kelly – the TV Presenter – was unfortunately injured when she fell from a horse whilst preparing herself for a Pentathlon Charity Event. She received serious injuries and is pursuing a claim against the Riding Establishment, the case is undergoing investigation.

Currently we are negotiating with the Veterinary Defence Society (VDS) concerning an incident at the Newbury Sales where a Vet (allegedly) negligently took a blood sample causing considerable problems to a young racehorse.

David Miles scored a first when he introduced some musical accompaniment to his talk on “Liability of Animal Owners/Keepers” at the CILA Special Interest Group Seminar. David was introduced to the accompaniment of “Crazy Horses”!

We are seeing considerable growth in our Claims Handling Schemes involving impact damage to street furniture/third party property where we are making good savings for the Defendant (Motor) Insurers. We act for Hastings, Provident, Chaucer, Amlin, Sabre, Saga, Provident, TCM Advisors and recently we have commenced a pilot with Aviva. We are talking to several other major Insurers and hope to expand the Scheme further.

We are anticipating further growth and developments in the next financial year.

The firms in the three brackets over £30m remain consistent in the main but McLarens Young International was the biggest winner for 2010, skipping up two turnover brackets with its acquisition of Airclaims, the aviation specialist loss adjuster, taking it into the £30m-£49.9m bracket. While Core Claims Management broke into the £1m-£1.9m turnover bracket for the first time.

We are pleased to inform that Alan Hines’ application to be an ambassador at the 2012 has been accepted.  Alan writes:-

“I’ve been looking forward tremendously to the Games since London’s bid was successful.  I was born and brought up in London; I wanted to contribute if I could and the role of Ambassador is an ideal one.

After making the Application, I attended a face-to-face interview which also involved role play, and testing one’s geographical knowledge of London so my years as a Loss Adjuster proved invaluable.

I have three training days on the run-up to the Games.  I’ll be located on the South Bank.  During my spell the Ambassador role is about being able to offer travel guidance, a decent Italian restaurant in the locale for example and how best to get about.

I just hope that my small contribution will mean tourists going home and reporting back that London was friendly and welcoming.”

To assist with the “Impact” work Matthew Paton, previously with Crawfords, has now joined us, bringing with him QS skills.

Saga have now come on stream with Immobile Property claims and there are several other major Insurers who are showing interest.  We are planning for a considerable expansion of this Scheme work.  In the last couple of years we have saved one Insurer £1M, arguing reductions on claims being pursued for repairs to street furniture, motorway barriers, repairs to commercial and domestic properties.  We are continuing to show savings in the order of 25% on claims presented.

Liability

Our principal activity remains in the investigation of Liability claims, particulalry in the Sports & Leisure sectors.  We recently investigated a serious incident at Brands Hatch where a motorcycle stunt rider lost control and collided with spectators in the crowd.  We have a number of ongoing investigations into fairground rides, including Waltzers, Tagadas, Zorb Balls, Go-Karting etc.

We recently adjusted a “Profits” loss arising out of an incident involving damage to a large masonry saw at a quarry.  The claim was presented in the sum of £85,000 but after a good deal of argument and review of the documentation the claim settled out at £40,000.

We are now being nominated on a number of risks being underwritten by Amtrust with the support of the Placing Brokers – BLW.

One of our Principals insures Beauty Salons throughout the UK.  Director Alan Hines has become quite versed in the investigation of claims arising from incidents where a beauty treatment is alleged to have gone wrong causing burns and scarring.

It has been fascinating learning of the various treatments available, such as:-

• Intense pulsed light hair removal
• Waxing
• Semi-permanent make-up (micro pigmentation)
• Eye lifts

During a recent investigation Alan wanted to get an idea of what the eye lift treatment entailed.  It involves a small electric current passing from one electrode to another, both placed around the eye.  The current flowing between the electrodes stimulates the muscles to tighten and wrinkles disappear.  Alan jumped onto the treatment table as you can see from the photo below.

Nobody has noticed any difference – the wrinkles remain!!

Construction

We have a number of substantial claims in the construction field, including the accidental triggering of a water mist suppressant fire system causing considerable damage at a prestige Special Needs School in Mayfair.

Equestrian

David continues to deal with a high volume of Equestrian-related incidents.  We also now investigate on behalf of OIM/Insurance Company of Hanover.

Recent investigations have taken David to the North of Scotland, including the Isle of Arran.

We now act on behalf of Insurers who underwrite a number of Membership Schemes, to include:

• British Horse Society
• British Show Jumping Association
• British Dressage
• Countryside Alliance
• Master of Foxhound Scheme

We are currently investigating a number of “Professional Indemnity” claims being pursued against Farriers, for alleged wrongful shoeing.

A recent somewhat bizarre case involved a claim for “breach of professional duty” on the part of a Stud Farm whose stallion served the wrong mare.

Another case involved a Trainer being held responsible for accidentally introducing a banned substance (Bute) to a horse which subsequently won its maiden race but was then disqualified.

Horse & Hound

2011. Centres urged to fight ‘no win, no fee’ cases. Horse and Hound, 16 June

David Miles and Alan Hines attended Nature Group’s Oil Sullage Plant located in Gibraltar where there had been a massive tank explosion on 31st May 2011. Core are acting for the Liability Insurers and we are concerned with a multi-million pound potential liability.

There were serious injuries to a Spanish sub-contract Welder. Apart from localised damage to adjacent properties we are concerned with escape of oil causing pollution in the harbour, and potentially affecting Spanish beaches and interests. A number of vessels have reported damage by oil and there was also damage to the Independence of the Seas (Royal Carribean) which was moored alongside the facility. The vessel made a hasty retreat but there were 12 reported injuries on board.

The Gibraltarian Authorities have currently taken over the site and a full investigation and enquiry is being undertaken.

Investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.

Videos of the blazing oil tank can be viewed on YouTube.

We were successful in defending a claim when a rider fell off on a hack. She was experienced, and we maintained the horse was suitable. The other side sought to bring expert evidence to the contrary, but we were able to demonstrate that there was nothing wrong with the selection of the horse (which in fact Madonna had learned to ride on!). The case is Seyf-v-Richmond Park Riding School.

Charlie Lane – our Equine Expert – gave good account of himself.

Coincidentally (and on the same day), we also received a favourable Judgment in the case of  Lukowicz-v-Richmond Park Riding School. That related to a Manual Handling case where the Claimant suggested that she had received back injury in putting saddles and rugs away in the tack room. We were able to demonstrate that there was a safe system of work and it was unlikely that the injuries flowed from these activities. Obviously, this was an important case to win as it could have had some serious repercussions in the Riding Industry.

In both cases, Insurers were represented by Berrymans Lace Mawer at Southampton.

26th May 2011: Additionally, we refer to the attached article from the Horse & Hound. This is a case that we investigated and recognised that a liability attached. There was an early admission of liability and hopefully a significant saving on costs.

Horse & Hound article

Core are now in their 4^th year of trading, having achieved steady organic growth since the formation of the Company.  It is significant that all of “Gates” Clients and contacts have supported Core in their new venture.

We are steadily expanding in niche areas of Claims Handling and Investigation.

There has been significant growth in the Immobile Property Scheme where we are now acting for a number of new Clients, we continue to show good savings on claims presented, achieving in excess of 25% savings.  We are able to put up credible arguments as we now have a data base of scheduled rates to aid us.

SOME SIGNIFICANT CLAIMS

Potential quadriplegic injuries to a 25 year old, show jumping at an Event in Southern Ireland.  Attempts are being made to involve the owner of the arena, our investigations do not suggest that any liability can attach and the claim is being vigorously contested.

Success in the Court of Appeal.  Marian Freeman-v-Higher Park Farm 2008 was a claim investigated by ourselves and involved injuries to a rider whilst out on a hack.  She was riding a horse which she knew could “buck” but nevertheless had accepted the risk voluntarily.  The defence arose principally from a successful “consent” argument centred around Section 5.2. of the Animals Act.

Scrap Yard fire caused by escape of burning rubbish from adjacent premises.  Liability has been accepted but quantum is in dispute, the claim is in the order of £1M, our own assessment of quantum is that the claim is unlikely to have a value in excess of £250,000 (case yet to be resolved).

Devastating injuries to off-duty Police Officer.  This case involves an RTA when a trailer broke away from the rear of a vehicle and then collided head-on with the oncoming vehicle being driving by an off-duty Police Officer.  Unfortunately she suffered devastating injuries.

Investigations still continue, we have been liaising with Burgoynes who have carried out forensic investigation.

Head injuries/potential brain damage to 12 year old child.  The incident occurred some 12 years ago and unfortunately Insurers’ papers had been destroyed.  A late claim was made (still within the Limitation Period) and we had to resurrect a file from very little information.  The Police Report was no longer available.  Eventually we were able to make contact with the Insured, obtain a detailed statement and interview witnesses to provide sufficient information to Insurers to defend the Action.

Serious head injuries/brain damage to third party pedestrian.  A young male received serious injuries when struck by a vehicle whilst he was walking home late at night in a country road.  He “staggered” out in front of the insured vehicle, giving the driver no chance to avoid the impact.  From interviews conducted, particularly with the Police Officers who were soon on the scene, it was established that the lad was listening to his Ipod at the time of the incident.  A good deal of forensic evidence was looked at and liability is very much in dispute.

Damage to saw at Stonemasons.  The Insured was repairing a saw which collapsed causing circa £20,000-worth of damage to the saw and equipment.  There was no cover under the policy for damage to the saw that he was working on but we are now dealing with a consequential loss claim, resulting in the loss of production in the region of £85,000.  Negotiations continue.

Night Club fight.  We act for the Insurers of a Wine Bar.  There was an altercation resulting in the Insured’s “Doorman” allegedly assaulting the Claimant.  The Doorman was not SIA Registered but nevertheless Insurers are indemnifying and we are now endeavouring to negotiate a settlement of the claim.  The Claimant is seeking a specialist report from a Max Facial Expert.

Tripping accident.  We act for the Operator of one of the largest Outdoor Markets in the UK.  There was allegedly an incident when the Claimant tripped in the Market and suffered a leg injury, it seems there were pre-existing problems with the leg and further complications arose in that the leg has now been amputated.  There are considerable arguments as to whether the Claimant received any injury at all in the Market, and if she did whether any liability attaches.  The question of causation is very much under consideration.