Charlie Sparling

Charlie has extensive expertise in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Panel. He has successfully appeared in a number of appeals in matters falling under the 1996, 2001 and 2008 Criminal Injuries Compensation Schemes.

He regularly advises on issues ranging from questions of eligibility to drafting complex and high-value Schedules of Loss. His recent CICA work includes matters involving cognitive impairment due to traumatic brain injury, and somatoform disorders.

Charlie has specialised in multi-track County and High Court personal injury and clinical negligence actions for the past several years. He has particular interest in matters involving complex causation and quantum issues, particularly mild traumatic brain injury, psychiatric trauma and chronic pain.

Charlie has represented families and other properly interested persons at inquests, including those relating directly to standards of medical and supervisory care provided to elderly patients. Charlie developed an in-depth understanding of the NHS and its practices through regular Employment Tribunal appearances both for and against Respondent NHS Trusts.

His general experience in clinical negligence matters includes pleading, advising on quantum and/or merits on paper and dealing with the general interlocutory stages at court, including costs and case management hearings. That experience includes matters involving birth injuries, surgical problems and errors in diagnosis.

Charlie also undertakes inquest work on behalf of both claimants and defendants,

Examples of recent work include:

Margaret Honor Keeble and Francesca Keeble v. East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust[2017]

Charlie acts in this liability-disputed matter concerning deceased patient who received allegedly negligent emergency care from the Defendant. Complex issues of breach and causation in civil proceedings arise from conflicting factual evidence provided at Inquest stage.

Moir v UCL Hospitals NHS Trust [2016]

Patient alleged negligent aftercare treatment following open craniostomy, resulting in cosmetic defect and psychiatric symptoms.

Pirji v Whittington Hospital NHS Trust (1) Dr Amish Gor (2) [2016]

Charlie acted in this High Court matter in which the Trust and treating surgeon were alleged to have provided substandard care as a result of failing to diagnose an Achilles tendon tear timeously.

Charlie is regularly instructed to conduct cost-budgeting hearings on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants.

He has successfully undertaken interlocutory application work in both High Court and County Court to obtain cost budget amendments.

Charlie has also appeared in the Superior Court Costs Office and has a particular expertise in both detailed assessment proceedings and the application of Part 47.

Charlie regularly advises on Court of Protection (CoP) and Court Funds Office procedure.

His range of expertise includes advising on the applicability of the Mental Capacity Act 2000, the appointment of Deputies and expert evidence on the issue of future financial requirements.

Charlie has extensive experience acting for both claimants and defendants in high-value and serious or fatal injury cases arising from road traffic, industrial and other accidents. His work includes accidents resulting in brain injury, serious orthopaedic injury and reduced life expectancy.

Charlie has a particular specialism acting in cases involving pain conditions, including chronic pain and associated disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Charlie has a specific interest in costs and costs-only proceedings arising out personal injury actions including High Court budgeting and Supreme Court Costs Office assessment proceedings.

Charlie has also developed a practice in occupational disease work including mesothelioma, HAVS, and industrial deafness.

Examples of recent work include:

The Estate of Paul Tilcock v T Brown Group [2017]

Charlie is presently instructed in this High Court matter concerning a floor fitter who asphyxiated whilst undertaking floor-laying activities in a private residence in 2015. The case is notable as it concerns the extent and scope of an employer’s duty pursuant to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations in the wake of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.

Anderson v Kent County Council and Ors[2017]

Charlie (led by Jane McNeill QC) acts for a Claimant who suffered catastrophic injury when his car left a section of highway upon which substantial resurfacing works had recently taken place. The claim proceeds under common law negligence and the Highways Act.

Leadbetter v Sheffield County Council [2017]

Charlie acts in this High Court public liability matter, concerning a severe brain injury suffered by a young Claimant who fell from an unguarded section of highway on to a concrete underpass.

Douglas v UK Athletics (1) Coni Sevizi SpA (2) [2016] (in conjunction with Ben Collins QC)

Case involving the effects of career-altering injury upon an Olympic athlete, who was injured whilst training at a UK Athletics camp held in Italy. The claim involved applicability of foreign law to standards of maintenance and inspection, as well as assessment of loss of a chance from the inability to compete at the 2012 London Olympics.

Magee v British Pepper and Spice [2015]

Charlie acted in this multi-day occupational disease claim concerning exposure to airborne sensitizing agents whilst working for a company that manufactured a range of spices.

Charlie regularly appears in the Coroner’s Court to represent interested parties in matters touching a range of areas, including clinical negligence, serious road traffic accidents, product liability and health and safety law.

Charlie’s most recent inquest work includes:

• Re: Paul Tilcock [2017] Death of worker arising from asphyxiation due to chemical exposure whilst working in confined area.
• Re Ian Newton [2016] Inquest touched on whether pre-existing metastatic brain disease could have been effective cause of death following RTA.
• Re: Yasmin Richards [2014] Death arising from defective state of vehicle.
  Re: Craig Page [2013] Instructed on behalf of a crane lift company during a multi-day jury inquest arising from death on a building site.

• Abercrombie & Ors v. AGA Rangemaster LtdA judge had erred in finding that a variation of contract, intended to be temporary, to reduce employees’ hours of work meant that they were not entitled to a guarantee…See all cases

• Leadbetter v Sheffield CC and Amey HallamEWHC QB [2017]
• Keeble (deceased) v. East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust EWHC QB [2017]
• Anderson v Kent CC and OrsHC EWHC QB [2016] (led by Jane McNeill QC)
• Douglas v UK Athletics (1) Coni Sevizi SpA (2)[2016] (led by Ben Collins QC)
• Martin v British PetroleumEWHC QB [2015] (led by Nigel Cooksley QC)
• Bear v Fulton and Baxter[2015] 1 C.M.L.R. 40 (acting at EAT level in conjunction with Michael Ford QC)
• Abecrombie and Ors v Rangemaster [2013] EWCA CIV 1148 (led by Oliver Segal QC)
• Vignakumar v Churchill Group LtdUKEAT/0222/12/LA, 2013, WL 3450754
• Douglas v O’Neill [2011] EWHC 601 (QB) (at Court of Protection stage in conjunction with Ben Collins QC)
• Vignakumar v. Churchill Group LtdUKEAT/0222/12/LA
• Martin v. British Petroleum PlcEWHC QB [2013]
• Sobhi v. Commissioner of the Police of the MetropolisUKEAT/0518/12/BA (as remitted)
• Hickling v. Skanska Group Plc (led by Jane McNeill QC)