Spotlight: Digby Brown

Why do you choose to partner with Brake as a member of our specialist legal panel?

As one of Scotland’s leading personal injury firms, we see the devastating impact road traffic incidents have on families and how important it is that they are fully supported – not just through the legal process, but emotionally as well.

Digby Brown shares common values with Brake: we are committed to supporting families and victims during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and we are passionate about reducing collisions, injuries and deaths on Scotland’s roads.

In addition, for the last decade we have helped deliver educational initiatives, like promoting safe driving to younger people at Edinburgh’s Young Driver event.

How do you support road victims?

Making a difference to the lives of people impacted by road collisions is at the heart of everything we do at Digby Brown.

We understand the life-changing effect a road crash can have – not just the injury or death itself, but the wider impact on a person’s lifestyle and future. This is why our trauma-informed staff support people beyond injury compensation, and help provide access to peer support, mental wellbeing services, enhanced medical treatment or rehabilitation, and, in more serious cases, home adaptions and future care needs.

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers recognises both brain and spinal cord injury specialists and the only two lawyers in Scotland who hold both accreditations are members of the team at Digby Brown. We also have the only three lawyers in Scotland accredited as fatal accident experts.

This balance of empathy with expertise is why many other charities and support services, like Spinal Injuries Scotland, also work alongside Digby Brown Solicitors.

Why is it important that road victims get specialist legal support in the aftermath of a crash?

Many people who come to Digby Brown for help have been told by other law firms or their insurance company they don’t have a case, but our legal experts have proved that wrong.

We investigate all the evidence to establish the facts and look at the complete, long-term impact the incident has had to assess the full loss.

That includes everything from physical injuries to psychological effects, and disruption to a person’s work and personal life. And in some tragic cases, the loss of a loved one can impact a family and their ability to safeguard their future.

How do you support Brake?

For many years Digby Brown has been a part of Brake’s specialist legal panel in Scotland, offering advice and support to people who have been bereaved or seriously injured in a road collision.

Brake’s caseworkers are valued contributors at our events, where we share messaging about the importance of road safety and the charity’s priorities. We also attend Brake’s annual reception at the Houses of Parliament.

In 2017, we sponsored the Brake Helpline in Scotland, helping people affected by collisions to access advice and support.

We are proud of our long-standing support of Brake’s campaigns and events. Every year, our seven offices across Scotland champion key campaigns, including Road Safety Week, and we encourage conversations about road safety though our ‘Big Tea Brake’ social events.

This section includes descriptions of a fatal road collision that some people may find distressing.

Neil Davidson, partner at Digby Brown’s Aberdeen office, helped a family who were involved in a fatal car crash when a driver failed to give way at a junction on a rural Scottish road.

Jo Clark was the heart of the family. The former oil and gas receptionist was a loving mum, partner and grandma who had an infectious laugh. At 71 years old, she was looking forward to watching her grandchildren grow up.

Jo and two other passengers were being driven home from a hen party when the car they were travelling in collided with another vehicle.

Everyone in the car walked away from the crash – everyone except Jo.

She suffered multiple internal injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance. It was initially hoped she could pull through but sadly, after four days, she passed away.

Brake support

Struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their vibrant mum, Jo’s family made contact with Brake’s National Road Victim Service.

Their caseworker helped them talk about their grief and suggested they contact a law firm to help them get closure through civil legal action.

The family contacted Digby Brown and Neil Davidson, partner at the firm’s Aberdeen office, took on the case. He was able to talk Jo’s family through the legal process and explain the different ways Digby Brown supports people.

Criminal trial

The fatal crash resulted in a criminal trial against the at-fault driver. It was a case that would likely result in media coverage.

To safeguard Jo’s family from media intrusion, Neil enlisted the help of Digby Brown’s in-house media team, whose primary aim is to support families when, through no fault of their own, they are caught up in press interest.

The family spoke with Sam Whyte, one of the firm’s media managers. He put protective measures in place, which ensured Jo’s family would not receive unwanted contact from journalists while still allowing them to speak on their own terms.

Sam also helped to issue preferred photographs of Jo at the family’s request, so she could be remembered as they wished her to be – not just how the media decided.

Grateful for everything

Following the criminal trial, the civil cases reached a settlement. There is no amount of money that could replace a woman like Jo, who could help everyone see the fun in life, but the process offered the family closure.

Leah Chalmers, Jo’s daughter, said: “Throughout this whole process Digby Brown has been wonderful. The firm has supported the whole family through every step of the way.

“We can’t thank Neil and everyone at Digby Brown enough for everything they have done. They’ve been so supportive and the fact we didn’t have to speak with journalists directly was a huge weight off our shoulders. We’re forever grateful.”

Brian Castle, partner at Digby Brown, added: “Through our partnership with Brake. we’ve been able to help thousands of people affected by road traffic incidents, and this case highlights the range of expertise Digby Brown has to offer.

“At the heart of every road traffic incident there is a grieving family. That’s why it’s important anyone who is impacted by a crash that wasn’t their fault seeks independent legal advice from lawyers who are experts in personal injury.”

After the legal processes were completed, Angus Council also took steps to improve safety on the stretch of road where Jo’s fatal collision happened.

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