In the calendar year 2018, his first year in silk, David Knifton QC has achieved damages on behalf of his clients totalling over £30m. Highlights of the year included:
- A total award worth more than £7m for a Navy helicopter pilot who suffered a severe brain injury when he fell from the flight deck of HMS Illustrious
- An award of £3.9m for brain and brachial plexus injuries suffered by a motorcyclist in a road traffic collision
- Damages of £2.75m for a woman who had to undergo a below-elbow amputation due to the development of chronic regional pain syndrome
- An award worth nearly £2.4m for an elderly patient who suffered a haemorrhagic stroke due to medical negligence in managing her meningioma
- Damages of over £2.3m for another motorcyclist who suffered brain and brachial plexus injuries, leading to amputation of his arm
During his last 5 years as a senior junior, David recovered damages averaging over £23m each year, so he is delighted to have achieved a record-breaking total in his first year as a QC. David said: “It has been a privilege to represent such catastrophically-injured clients. I had been involved in many of these cases as junior counsel for a number of years, so it has been wonderful to guide them to a successful conclusion as leader of the team. Having had the opportunity over the years of being led by some very experienced silks, both from within and outside Chambers, I am pleased to have been able to put all that I have learned to good effect.”