I am a Partner in Trethowans’ Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team, leading the team in the Poole and Bournemouth offices. I specialise in complex and catastrophic cases.
I often act for clients who have suffered life changing injuries, including brain injuries and severe spinal injuries. I use my knowledge and experience to ensure that they get the best possible outcome from their claim. I understand that litigation can be stressful, particularly when clients are coming to terms with serious injuries, and strive to do what I can to help lift the weight of such issues off them.
I also specialise in clinical negligence claims and have considerable experience dealing with birth injury cases, instances of delay in diagnosis, claims involving incorrect / sub standard treatment and issues involving consent. In addition, I have considerable experience in pursuing personal injury claims involving cross border and jurisdictional issues, bringing claims to the English courts for injuries suffered in road accidents in other EU countries.
I have 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.
I initially read Law at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, before completing my Legal Practice Course and then qualifying as a solicitor.
I am a UK Top Ranked Solicitor, accredited by Vouched For with a rating of 4.9 out of 5. I have been featured in the Sunday Telegraph, The Mail on Sunday and The Times, and am also a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
I am named as Up and Coming in the Chambers Guide 2022, which notes: “James Braund has particular strength in spinal cord injury claims, with further experience handling cases following accidents abroad.” “He is a very thorough lawyer who quickly gets to the root of a case and is supportive of his clients.”
I also work closely with a number of charities, including the Spinal Injuries Association and Headway.
I have also recently become a committee member of the Dorset Law Society.
"James Braund offers broad experience and persistent support" - Legal 500, 2020
Areas of Expertise
Case Study
I successfully acted on behalf of a Claimant who had been injured when he slipped in a pool of water in a restaurant, causing spinal injuries.
In another case, a Claimant who had been involved in an RTA had accidentally not renewed his vehicle insurance. He suffered an exacerbation of a pre-existing knee injury. Liability was initially denied, but I was able to settle the claim for a significant sum and ensure that the Claimant did not pay anything to the other driver.
I obtained compensation for a Claimant who had suffered significant facial injuries after tripping on a defect in a concrete parking area near to her home. I was able to prove that the concrete had not been adequately maintained.
I acted for a Claimant who suffered significant damage to his teeth when his new dentist attempted to re-porcelain some pre-existing dental implants, proving that the care he had received fell below that he was reasonably entitled to expect.
I pursued a claim for compensation for a 4 year old Claimant who had been injured whilst a passenger in a road traffic accident. The Claimant did not suffer any physical injuries but did suffer significant psychological injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, travel anxiety, avoidance of lifts, broken sleep, anger issues and separation anxiety. Following the issue of Court proceedings, I was able to negotiate an appropriate settlement in respect of the case, which was approved by the Court.
I also acted on behalf of one Claimant who had attended hospital the day after injuring his wrist. The hospital discharged him and advised him to keep his wrist mobile, failing to diagnose that he had in fact suffered a Scaphoid Fracture. Over the following months the fracture became displaced such that surgery was required in order to re-unite the fracture.
What others say
“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.”- Ms O
“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.” – Mr F
“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.” – Mrs S
Away from the office
Having grown up in Dorset, I am now raising a family locally and enjoy spending time exploring the coastline and countryside alike. I also enjoy watching and participating in most sports, particularly football, cricket, hockey and rugby.
