James is a Partner in Trethowans’ Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team, based in the Dorset offices in Poole and Bournemouth. He specialises in complex and catastrophic cases.
James often acts for clients who have suffered life changing injuries, including brain injuries and severe spinal injuries. He uses his knowledge and experience to ensure that they get the best possible outcome from their claim. James understands that litigation can be stressful, particularly when clients are coming to terms with serious injuries, and strives to do what he can to help lift the weight of such issues off them.
James also specialises in clinical negligence claims and has considerable experience dealing with birth injury cases, instances of delay in diagnosis, claims involving incorrect / sub-standard treatment and issues involving consent. In addition, James is experienced in pursuing personal injury claims involving cross border and jurisdictional issues.
James has obtained successful outcomes in a wide variety of cases including claims and compensation for accidents at work, road traffic accidents, product liability incidents, public liability accidents and medical negligence cases, often on a no win no fee basis.
James initially read Law at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, before completing his Legal Practice Course and then qualifying as a solicitor in 2009.
Notable work highlights
- Settled a significant brain injury claim, arising out of a motorcycle Road Traffic Accident where contributory negligence was alleged. The claim involved an accident reconstruction expert, various medical experts and a care expert. A significant settlement was achieved which made provision for ongoing losses for earnings and care.
- Successfully acted on behalf of a client who had been injured when he slipped in a pool of water in a restaurant, causing spinal injuries.
- Obtained a five-figure sum for a client who had been negligently prescribed excessive doses of gentamicin, causing vestibular toxicity.
- Dealt with a claim involving significant upper limb injuries, arising out of an accident caused by alleged deficiencies in agricultural machinery.
- Settled a significant clinical negligence claim where a patient had been infected with MRSA due to alleged negligent hospital procedures, resulting in him suffering chronic abdominal pain and psychological injuries.
- Achieved a positive settlement on behalf of a client who had been injured whilst cycling on a campsite in France, due to defects in the lighting and infrastructure of a pathway.
Accreditations & Memberships
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers Senior Litigator.
- President of the Dorset Law Society 2022/23.
- Ranked as an “Up and Coming” Partner by Partners and Chambers.
- UK Top Ranked Solicitor, accredited by Vouched For with a rating of 4.9 out of 5, featured in the Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday and The Times.
Testimonials
What our clients say about James
“Chris Whiteley demonstrates sound judgement and excellent case preparation to install client confidence and efficient outcomes. James Braund is a rising star. He has a good nose for a successful argument in a case and is a tenacious advocate for his clients. Frances Gillett is very approachable and supportive of clients.”
“James Braund is a very good lawyer – very personable and excellent with clients and experts.”
“James Braund is a very smart, diligent, and meticulous litigator. He demonstrates technical ability and is a strong negotiator. He achieves impressive results for his clients.”
“He is an incredibly bright lawyer.”
“James is relaxed and calm in his approach, extremely knowledgeable and knows the law inside and out.”
“I cannot thank you enough for your patience and understanding at all times, your sensitivity when discussing intimate medical matters, and always taking great care to explain things in layman’s terms when necessary. I never, ever felt I was being a nuisance, or being a pain (although at times I’m sure I must have been)! I am particularly impressed with the efficient way you handled all enquiries, kept me informed every step of the way, and the speed with which you dealt with all communications – it is so refreshing to receive such prompt attention! Your professionalism is second to none and I would not hesitate to recommend you to others, or come back to you should I need to seek advice in the future, In fact, the entire Trethowans team were a pleasure to work with and you are an absolute credit to them.”
“I am extremely pleased with the service I received from Trethowans. James put together such a comprehensive and detailed case and I believe that their attention to detail was the reason that it seemed to be accepted by the other party without much question. The end result was far better than I’d ever expected. Although I had thought that winning the case was all that mattered, the financial benefit now seems like proper recompense for my pain and financial losses! I was kept fully informed throughout, over the course of maybe two years, and yet my involvement was limited to just answering necessary questions, which is just as I’d requested. I had been hesitant to embark on this course of action, fearing it would be stressful – in the midst of a very stressful period for me – but it could not have been more straightforward. I’m so glad that I chose such a reputable firm of solicitors, which together with the high standing of the expert witnesses, must have contributed to the success of the case. I would not hesitate to use Trethowans again, or recommend them to others. I’d like to express again my deep gratitude to James for the way in which he conducted the case.”
“James was absolutely brilliant all through the time spent on my case. He conducted himself in a professional, understanding and calm manner, contacting me regularly to explain each step of the process and re-explaining when I didn’t understand. The amount of money he negotiated left us absolutely speechless… I highly recommend James and the team.”
“I have considerable gratitude to James Braund for the efficient and informative way which he has conducted this claim and brought things to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Insights
Insights and thoughts written by James
Ms V – Urological Clinical Negligence Claim
Celebrating our support for Poole Pirates
Trethowans secures significant 7-figure sum in car accident brain injury case
Clinical Negligence Claims Arising out of Cauda Equina Syndrome
An Insight into Agricultural Personal Injury Claims
Stop the Pressure Day 2022
Court special account interest rate increases further
Trethowans Partner appointed as new President of the Dorset Law Society
04 Oct 2022
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Trethowans secures five-figure settlement for client given overdose of medication
Trethowans’ Personal Injury continue to be accredited by Headway
17 Dec 2021
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Stop the Pressure – SIA Campaign against pressure ulcers
Parliamentary Committee recommends change in law for maternity claims
Trethowans provides bike for teen footballer’s charity ride
Liability issues in a brain injury case
Brain injuries in Clinical Negligence claims