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 The Insurance department has a renowned expertise in the handling of claims against local and public authorities, including public and employer liability risks. In addition, we have a strong and dedicated team acting on behalf of a large number of road traffic insurers. VP is an approachable, committed, IT conscious practice, dedicated to the needs of the Insurance Industry, and has evolved into the major defendant practice in the South West of England.
We have continued to grow, sharing the Insurance Industry’s commitment to the robust but economic disposal of claims, and endeavouring to ensure good channels of communication between your staff and ours at all times.
Our dedication and commitment to the industry was recognised in our nomination by the Insurance Times for the Insurance Law Firm of the Year accolade in 2007 and previously in 2002; the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, who have ranked us as a recommended firm and Mark Fowles, Head of the Insurance Department, has been acknowledged as a leading individual; and most recently by Legal 500.
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Legal 500
The firm is acclaimed in the current edition with “Clients praise the ‘friendly and approachable’ team as providing ‘valuable service’.”
Mark Fowles was also acclaimed in the previous edition as “ ‘a nationally recognised expert in the field of workrelated stress and a fantastic supporter of public sector risk management’".
Chambers Guide
In the 2009 edition VP was recognised as leaders in the field of
Personal Injury “with one client noting ‘I send my complex cases
here’.”. Mark Fowles, Head of the Insurance Department has also been
acknowledged as a leading individual in the field of Personal Injury,
“a truly sensible and proactive advocate.” |
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VP Risk Consultancy is an independent specialist authority on risk and
its management utilising the skills of two well known individuals in
the field - Mark Fowles and Nick Chown.
Veitch Penny and Nick Chown have combined their specialities to provide
a unique insight into public sector risk which is available to you to
enhance the ability of your people to embed risk management to the
latest good practice standards.
VP Risk Consultancy are able to provide a wide range of services
tailored to your organisational needs to optimise risk taking within
your operations. Our aim is to help you to manage out unwanted risk
cost-effectively and, at the same time, enhance your ability to be
creative.
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Read more... [VP Risk Management]
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Local and Public Authority Claims
The department acts for Authorities across the country from Cornwall to Birmingham to Greater London and is a recognised leader in this area. It also undertakes work for over 60 health trusts.
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Highways
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Child Abuse Claims |
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Emergency Services |
Property
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Social Service |
It is a fact that claims cost local authorities millions of pounds. Damages have escalated and the public are more conscious of the ‘blame’ culture.
It is vitally important that when a claim is made, investigations are undertaken as early as possible and by personnel who understand the allegations that are being made against the local authority
At Veitch Penny, we understand the challenges this causes for Local Authorities. Having worked for Local Authorities in excess of 20 years, our team have a wealth of knowledge of Local Authority procedures and can save the authority valuable time and money in executing those investigations by dealing with the case from the letter of claim.
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Read more... [Claims Handling]
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Road Traffic Accidents / Recovery |
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The department represents a number of road traffic insurers handling fatal accidents, catastrophic injury claims, credit hire cases and Inquests. |
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Employer's Liability Claims |
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The department has considerable experience of acting on behalf of insurers and employers directly in relation to employer’s liability claims including occupational stress, industrial and non industrial claims. |
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 For most employers, staff costs are the highest overhead the employer
will have to bear, and most employers are concerned about the level of
management time required to manage the workforce and comply with
apparently ever changing employment legislation. Developments take
place at such a rapid pace that it is virtually impossible for
employers to be able to deal effectively with employment issues. It is
all too easy for employers to inadvertently make a mistake which can be
expensive financially but also in terms of management time, disruption
to the business and the negative effect on employee morale.
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 Our investigation Service can make a crucial difference to the outcome of many cases. Our investigation team can increase the chances of success in defending a claim and has proved invaluable in providing vital information and evidence to support strong defence.
Investigating a claim at an early stage and thoroughly is clearly advantageous. Obtaining detailed information early in the investigation will help to decide whether to settle a claim having incurred comparatively modest costs, or whether to defend thus providing as economic a service as possible.
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Read more... [Investigations]
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 The firm understands the importance of training and the sharing of information in the development of good working relationships with its clients. As a result the firm both welcomes training and support from its clients and likewise offers clients opportunities to receive training, take part in ‘hands on’ workshops, and/or attend the firm’s seminars.
This also includes the opportunity for tailor made training programmes to suit the needs and location of individual clients.
Training Courses
Recent courses have included:
Witness Training
Highways
Corporate Manslaughter
Interactive workshops on Employers Liability and Public Liability Handling.
Negotiating Skill
Mock Trial
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Read more... [Seminars and Training]
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Weekly Personal Injury Law Updates
The personal injury and employment teams are updated on a weekly basis
with a comprehensive case law update, which is also available to
clients via our website www.vpinsurance.net.
The Update
We send out an email newsletter bi-monthly, which provides information
about the latest legal changes, cases, and H&S developments and
other news in the Insurance Industry, as well as within the department.
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Services For Your Business 
Mark Fowles
and is bound by their code of conduct.