Greenwoods Solicitors

With a wealth of expertise in the utilities sector, Greenwoods provides a wide range of specialist litigation services including fielding emergency attendance at major incidents. Our lawyers have considerable experience of handling disaster and large loss litigation including the Kerrin Point Gas explosion, the Welwyn Data Centre argonite gas explosion, a hydrogen explosion at Rolls Royce Derby, the North Sea helicopter crash for Bristow Helicopters and representing gas fitters following carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.

Greenwoods handles all types of insurance and commercial disputes on behalf of clients
within the utilities and energy sectors, including employer liability, public liability, motor, HSE, Inquests, property damage liability, recovery claims, major incident explosion cases and fatal accidents.

We play a leading role in developing defence strategies for distributors, generators and transporters of electricity and gas who might be threatened with claims after fires and explosions.

As well as defending property loss of supply claims, we advise on disputes relating to
contractual terms and conditions, liability caps and exclusions for consequential loss/economic loss. We also regularly advise on street works procedures.

Across the board, we work closely with clients to devise solutions to risk management and claim prevention. We seek to support the client by providing tailored management information packages, enabling close monitoring of any exposures and assisting their own proactive risk control.

Examples of work include acting on behalf of a well known international utility company
following an explosion in an underground electricity sub-station. An employee nearly died in the incident and sustained severe injuries. Following a round table discussion with the injured employee, his family and advisors, we were able to achieve a settlement enabling him to move forward with his life despite his serious disabilities.

Further examples are the personal injury and property damage claims arising from a gas explosion, caused by cutting a pipe that then leaked gas through the sewage system into a house. When the occupant returned home and switched on the light, there was a major explosion. It was necessary to handle the resulting police and HSE investigations and the civil claims sensitively, whilst also considering the prospect of recovery actions against the contractor who had cut through the gas pipe in the first instance.

Greenwoods runs an emergency out of hours response for any disaster case where immediate advice and assistance is required. This service is available on request to all Greenwoods’ clients, particularly those involved in the supply of utility services.