Catherine Foster

Catherine is instructed in many aspects of occupational and environmental disease litigation, in particular claims involving asbestos related conditions, asthma, pneumoconiosis, cancers (including bladder cancer), carbon monoxide exposure, back injuries, beat knee, upper limb disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), chemical exposure (COSHH claims), noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), dermatitis, silicosis, deep vein thrombosis, Legionnaire’s disease, food poisoning, norovirus, pneumonitis and radiation exposure. She has been involved in emerging areas of disease litigation for over 25 years and is regularly instructed to provide advice on generic issues such as diagnosis, causation, etiology and apportionment.

Selected Cases

• Cuthbert (deceased) v Taylor Woodrow Construction Holdings [2022] EWHC 3036 (KB), in which the court dismissed a claim for mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in the late 1950s, a period during which employers have been considered historically not to have sufficient knowledge of the risks of exposure to low levels of asbestos for liability to attach. This claimant contended that the defendant should have taken all reasonably practicable steps to further reduce the risk of injury. Permission has now been granted to appeal to the Court of Appeal
• PSV HAVS/CTS Litigation: defending numerous claims for HAVS/CTS by employees using a particular tool an extremely high vibration signature to fit windows in the road, rail and coach industries
• Airbus HAVS/CTS Litigation: defending numerous claims for HAVS/CTS by employees in the Aircraft industry
• Pye v Airbus UK PLC: 2022: trial heard remotely by Her Honour Judge Howells over 2 days. Successful defence of claim for CTS.
• Warwick v Springfield Home Care Services Ltd judgment of HHJ Belcher Leeds County Court 30 June 2022. Successful defence of claim for dermatitis and psychiatric injury allegedly caused by exposure to cleaning fluids
• Culff v Wilcox Commercial Vehicles Ltd 2022: claim for an extremely rare condition known as aluminium pneumoconiosis allegedly caused by exposure to welding fumes over a period of 20 years or so. The condition is so rare that only 2 cases have ever been reported in the medical literature
• LGR v Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police 2022: this is one of a number of cases involving claims against various Police Authorities where claimant Police Officers allege psychiatric injury caused by exposure to child related pornographic material in the course of their investigations into criminal activities
• Henderson v Airbus UK PLC: 2022: trial heard remotely by Her Honour Judge Howells over 2 days. Successful defence of claim for CTS
• Eamon Collum -v- William Cradden & Mrs Shirley Cradden & Unsworth Ltd & Fire Doors Ltd: 2021: claim for nasal cancer allegedly caused by exposure to wood dust over several decades during his employment with 3 different employers
• Bowe v Mersey Rewinds Engineering Ltd. & Ors[2018] EWCA Civ 72:in which the Court held that infrequent and transitory exposures to vibration above daily guidance threshold limits did not give rise to a foreseeable risk of injury at common law
• Davies and 8 others v Essex County Council and Havering College and Governing Body of the Sawyers Hall College [2018]: instructed on behalf of 9 Claimants who recovered damages for injuries arising from carbon monoxide poisoning
• Swift and others v Fred Olsen Cruise Lines [2016] EWCA Civ 785: instructed by the Defendant in this multi-party action arising from an outbreak of norovirus on its cruise ship ‘Boudicca’
• Baker v Quantum Clothing [2011] UKSC 17; [2011] 1 W.L.R. 1003; [2011] 4 All E.R. 223): multi-party action arising from the Nottinghamshire Derbyshire NIHL litigation
• AB and Others v MOD ‘The Atomic Veterans Litigation’ [2012] UKSC 9 and ECHR application no. 61332/12; [2012] 2 W.L.R. 643; [2012] 3 All E.R. 673; [2012] P.I.Q.R. P13; [2012] Med. L.R. 306; (2012) 125 B.M.L.R. 69; (2012) 109(22) L.S.G. 19; (2012) 156(11) S.J.L.B. 31; Times, March 27, 2012: test cases on limitation issues in which the Court considered the correct approach to ‘knowledge’ for the purpose of section 14 of the Limitation Act 1980 and the exercise of discretion under section 33: instructed by 1011 Claimants who alleged adverse consequences to health resulting from exposure to ionising radiation from nuclear tests carried out in the South Pacific at Christmas Island by the British Government in the late 1950s, early 1960s;
• Philips v Haxton [2014] EWCA Civ 4: addressing a novel claim for damages for the loss of a cause of action arising in the context of mesothelioma claims
• Whalley v Montracon Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 1383: on the issues of diagnosis in claims for HAVS
• Airbus Operations Ltd: advising on numerous issues in the in the management of large numbers of ongoing claims for HAVS and CTS
• Minimal loss NIHL: advising on a range of generic and case specific issues, including complex costs issues in the context of multi-party litigation
• Asbestos related injuries: advising Insurers and attending hearings on a regular basis on a range of issues in the handling of asbestos litigation, including show cause applications, quantum hearings and taking evidence on commission
• Norovirus and food poisoning claims: advising various hotels/restaurants and cruise ship operators on an ongoing basis in respect of claims arising from food poisoning/norovirus

Other selected group actions and multi-party litigation: has been instructed by Claimants and Defendants in a number of Group Actions including:

• (2015-2017): represented Fred Olsen in its defence of claims for injuries caused by norovirus on its cruise ships
• (2006-2013): represented Courtaulds Plc in the Nottinghamshire Derbyshire noise induced hearing loss
• Group test case litigation involving a cohort of several thousand Claimants seeking compensation for exposure to excessive noise whilst employed in the textile industry
• (1994-2013): represented the DTI in its HAVS litigation arising from the liabilities of British Coal Corporation involving a cohort of 160,000 Claimants; instructed as junior Counsel in the substantive litigation in 1994 and 1996; instructed in the Court of Appeal on 5 occasions to address issues arising in the context of the litigation; appearing in the High Court on at least 3 occasions per annum over a 10 year period to address issues arising in the management of the CHA; advised upon and contributed to the drafting of the claims handling arrangement (which eventually led to payments in damages and costs estimated at £3 billion)
• British Coal Corporation HAVS claims [2006] EWHC 1131; [2006] EWHC 1154; [2006] EWCA Civ 1357 and 2008] EWHC 69: concerning the administration of the DBERR Claims Handling Agreement for coal miners hand arm vibration syndrome claims
• (1994-2011): represented the DTI in its noise induced hearing loss litigation arising from the liabilities of British Coal Corporation
• (2008-2011): represented Gallaher PLC in its noise induced hearing loss litigation (cigarette and cigar making processes) involving a cohort of 300 Claimants
• (2005/2007): represented UK Coal Mining PLC in the miners’ ‘Beat Knee’ litigation
• (2005/2007): represented Scania (UK) Limited in its back injury litigation arising from allegations of poorly designed lorry cabs involving a cohort of several hundred Claimants
• (2004/2006): represented Montracon Limited in its HAVS litigation involving a cohort of 120 Claimants

Occupational Stress/Psychiatric Injury

Catherine attends Court on a regular basis to pursue / defend claims for occupational stress and harassment and has a particular interest in causation issues involving the interplay of psychiatric injury with stressful work/environmental situations and accident circumstances. She has a particular interest in the connection between physical and psychiatric injury and has working knowledge of a range of conditions including fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome, movement disorders, ME, chronic depression and anxiety disorders. She is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendant Employers, PLCs, Local Authorities and other corporate entities to advise and attend joint settlement meetings and mediations in this area of litigation and by its nature, much of her work is highly confidential.

General Personal Injury and Catastrophic Injuries

Catherine has considerable experience of fatal accident claims and of catastrophic spinal and brain injury litigation encompassing severe cognitive conditions and amputations arising in the context of aviation accidents, road traffic accidents and employers’ liability claims; and in the analysis of high value complex claims and is regularly instructed to attend round table settlement meetings and mediations in this context. She has a particular interest in cycle accident claims and as a keen cyclist around London herself, understands the issues at stake.

Catherine also has a developing interest in the law around the use of drones and driverless cars. She is making good preparations to be involved in any litigation that will inevitably follow.

Personal Injury and Human Rights

Catherine is instructed in claims for personal injury involving human trafficking and human rights, many of which need to remain anonymous due to anonymity orders being in place or client confidentiality. She has acted for Local Authorities facing claims for failing to remove children who were trafficked and held captive for sexual and modern slavery purposes and has acted for PLCs facing Group litigation where rogue employees have taken advantage of children in third world countries and perpetrated abuse, thereby raising complex issues of vicarious liability.

At the other end of the spectrum she is instructed by many organisations facing claims from employees or members who are simply disgruntled and raise claims for breaches of human rights and injury to feelings, often under the guise of claims for personal injury.

Selected Cases

Occupational Stress/Psychiatric Injury

• Yates v Oldham College: 2023 Manchester County Court, Mr Recorder Hinchliffe KC. Claim by a male lecturer for alleged bullying, sex discrimination and occupational stress in the course of his employment as a lecturer at Oldham College was dismissed after cross examination at trial
• Mawgoud v Your Healthcare Community Interest Company (High Court): claim by a Consultant Psychiatrist in respect of injury arising from occupational stress: resolved mid-trial
• Nicholls v Ladbrokes Betting & Gaming Limited [2013] EWCA Civ 1963: addressing issues of breach of duty and causation in a claim for psychiatric injury following a robbery
• Packenham-Walsh v Connells Estate Agency [2006] EWCA Civ 90: addresses the legal principles relevant to occupational stress
• Harding v The Pub Estate Company Ltd [2005] EWCA Civ 553: occupational stress causing myocardial infarction
• Bonser v UK Coal Mining Limited [2004] IRLR 164 (Court of Appeal): addresses the legal principles relevant to occupational stress
• Martin Humphrey v Tote Bookmakers [2003] EWHC 217: claim for psychiatric injury arising from an armed robbery in a betting shop: involving complex causation issues.

General Personal Injury and Catastrophic Injuries

• Juj v John Lewis Partnership PLC [2022] EWHC 2418 (KB): this case raises an important point of principle in the context of the standards to be expected of “occupiers” where visitors are disabled and/or otherwise vulnerable. Permission has now been granted to appeal to the Court of Appeal
• Wright v Satellite Information Services Ltd [2018] EWHC 812 (QB), [2018] All ER (D) 57 (Apr): a judgment on appeal in respect of fundamental dishonesty
• Shoreham Air Crash litigation; instructed by the Insurer in its management of claims by the estates and dependents of 11 men who were killed when a vintage Hawker Hunter aircraft crashed at the Shoreham Air Show in 2011
• Hussein v Happy Badge Projects Limited t/a Ronnie Scott’s [2017] Her Honour Judge Baucher: involving a tripping accident on a staircase at the famous jazz club
• Peakstone Ltd v Joddrell [2012] EWCA Civ 1035: on the interpretation of section 1032(1) of the Companies Act 2006 in the context of issuing claims for personal injury
• Pinchbeck v Craggy Island Ltd [2012] EWHC 2745 (QB) HHJ Judge Curran KC: represented the Claimant in a climbing wall accident in which the Court considered a number of issues including the nature and scope of the Defendant’s duties and the doctrine volenti non fit injuria
• Jade Spillman v Bradfield Riding Centre [2007] EWHC 89 (QB): on the principles relating to interim payments

Sexual Abuse/Child Sexual Exploitation and Failure to Protect

Catherine has been instructed in claims involving the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, various other religious organisations, the Scout Association, Schools, Children’s Homes, Care Homes, Local Authorities and foreign Governments over a wide range of issues including complex vicarious liability arguments, allegations of failure to intervene to prevent abuse by parents / foster carers / employees, failure to prevent damage (rape and criminal damage) caused by abused perpetrators and duty of care issues.

She is experienced in the forensic analysis of documentation spanning long periods of time and also in the quantification of damages both in the context of civil claims and applications to the CICA. She is regularly instructed to advise pre litigation and to advise upon and participate in the resolution of CSE and other abuse claims by ADR. She has a good working knowledge of safeguarding issues / procedures, local authority/social work practices and childcare legislation and has a particular interest in the historical development of social work practice.

Selected Cases

Sexual Abuse/Child Sexual Exploitation and Failure to Protect

• GHI v TRC: Claim No: F00CL474 judgment of HHJ Saunders 3 July 2023. Successful defence of a claim for child sexual abuse against the trustees of a Chapel founded on vicarious liability
• JXH v The Vicar, Parochial Church Council and Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Holcombe Rogus, trial June 2023 Master Dagnall, judgment awaited
• BXB v Trustees of the Barry Congregation and others [2023] UKSC 15 and [2021] EWCA Civ 356, in which the Supreme Court overturned the findings of the Court of Appeal and High Court and dismissed findings of vicarious liability against a religious organisation for rape where the victim and perpetrator were both adult members of the congregation
• Rainford v 6 others v Lambeth Borough Council, in which HHJ Walden-Smith siting as a Judge of the High Court on 2 November 2022 dismissed the applications of 8 claimants for judicial review of the Lambeth Children’s Homes Redress Scheme
• FZO v Andrew Adams (1) & London Borough of Haringey (2) [2018] EWHC 3584 (QB), in which the Court awarded damages in excess of £1m to the victim of sexual abuse and considered complex psychiatric issues
• Rowe v Sheffield City Council (17.05.17): instructed by the Defendant at a trial before HHJ Robinson (judgment available) involving allegations of conspiracy and misfeasance in public office
• Max Clifford: instructed by the well-known publicist in respect of civil claims arising from his convictions for sexual assault
• X PL (2015): represented a major PLC in addressing a cohort of claims by male Claimants who were sexually abused as children by an employee during his work based visits to international destinations over a period of 20 years
• Various Claimants v The Oaks Partnership and Dr Bernard Delaport: instructed by a partnership of GPs in their action to recover an indemnity from a fellow GP partner for damages paid to patients who were sexually abused by him during consultations
• JGE v The English Province of Our Lady of Charity and The Trustees of the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Diocesan Trust [2012]: sexual abuse of children in a care home: instructed by the ‘Sisters of Mercy’ who were not directly concerned with the issue of the vicarious liability of a Catholic priest, which issue was subsequently determined by the Court of Appeal
• ‘Haute de la Garenne’ care home abuse claims: instructed by the States of Jersey and advised upon and participated in the drafting of a compensation scheme to compensate the victims of this long standing abuse
• And see:  http://www.gov.je/GOVERNMENT/DEPARTMENTS/HEALTHSOCIALSERVICES/Pages/HistoricAbuseRedress.aspx
• Jake Pierce v Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council [2008] EWCA Civ 1416: in which the Court of Appeal considered whether an adult Claimant should have been removed from his family as a child in order to prevent neglect and abuse at their hands
• X v XY: instructed by the Claimant who was raped by a carer whilst an inpatient at a psychiatric unit for children and who went on to be convicted and imprisoned for sexual offences committed by himself many years later
• X v Hillgreen Care Limited: instructed by the severely autistic Claimant who was raped by a fellow inpatient at a care home: the incident was then covered up by staff at the home and the Quality Care Commission

Examples of non-litigated cases:

• Is regularly instructed by Claimants and Defendants to advise on claims for sexual abuse perpetrated by teachers, priests, medical professionals, parents / step parents, foster parents, carers, youth workers and others in positions of trust and authority
• Is regularly instructed to advise pre-litigation and to advise upon and participate in the resolution of CSE and other abuse claims by ADR
• Has acted for the families of survivors who committed suicide as a result of their experiences of abuse
• Has acted for Claimants who have been abused in the context of attending ‘gay conversion’ therapy
• Is regularly instructed by Executors of the estates of deceased persons accused of sexual abuse in the management of claims from a liability and probate point of view

Catherine has advised in a wide range of cases involving fraudulent/exaggerated claims arising from “subtle” brain injuries, orthopaedic injuries and psychiatric conditions and where issues arising have included the disclosure and admissibility of surveillance/social media evidence; data protection issues; the relationship between various alleged psychiatric and physical conditions and any purported disability (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, functional movement disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) etc.); applications to strike out fraudulent/exaggerated claims as an abuse of process and remedies, including costs penalties and applications for contempt of Court pursuant to Part 32.14 CPR.

Catherine acted for the Defendants in the following substantive trials and appeals, in which the defences were based on allegations that the Claimants had been dishonest in the presentation of their claims, both in respect of liability and quantum issues:

• Alan Crow v Raleys Solicitors (In Administration) Case No: 43YM869 Judgment of HHJ Gosnell 26 April 2021
• Boyle v Medimmune [2019] judgment of HHJ Harrison, Cardiff County Court
• Wright v Satellite Information Services Ltd [2018] EWHC 812 (QB), [2018] All ER (D) 57 (Apr): a judgment on appeal in respect of fundamental dishonesty
• Ronald Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors [2014] EWCA Civ 686
• Andrew Procter v Raleys Solicitors [2015] EWCA Civ 400
• Desmond Partridge v Raleys Solicitors – 2015 Judgment of HHJ Saffman 90LO3367
• George Head v Raleys Solicitors – 2014 Judgment of HHJ Belcher – 1LS03608
• Graeme Gummerson v Raleys Solicitors – 2014 Judgment of HHJ Gosnell  – 9OL03172
• Kevin Flanagan v Raleys Solicitors – 2014 Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 1LS03604

Catherine has also been instructed to attend numerous JSMs where the credibility of the Claimant was in issue and has negotiated substantial discounts to settlements on this basis.

Catherine was instructed in the ‘BCC HAVS Professional Negligence Litigation’ (now concluded) and represented a number of firms of Solicitors who were sued for professional negligence arising from their handling of the BCC HAVS compensation scheme. She appeared in a total of 14 contested trials from 2012 onwards and in the Court of Appeal on 2 occasions: see Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors [2014] EWCA Civ 686 and Procter v Raleys Solicitors [2015] EWCA Civ 400.

Selected Cases

• Ronald Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 1LS03193
• Ronald Barnaby v Raleys Solicitors [2014] EWCA Civ 686
• Andrew Procter v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 9OL03967
• Andrew Procter v Raleys Solicitors [2015] EWCA Civ 400
• Clifton Anders v Avalon – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 2LS00449
• William Sharp v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 2YJ87483
• George Head v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Belcher – 1LS03608
• Graeme Gummerson v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Gosnell – 9OL03172
• Kevin Flanagan v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 1LS03604
• Anthony J Connor v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 2YJ83003
• Desmond Partridge v Raleys Solicitors – Judgment of HHJ Saffman – 90L03367
• Alan Crow v Raleys Solicitors (In Administration) Case No: 43YM869 Judgment of HHJ Gosnell 26 April 2021

Catherine undertakes a wide range of Inquest work, including Inquests involving mental health issues where Article 2 is engaged and where the deceased has been subject to supervision by Social Services and/or Health Trusts and has committed suicide or died due to medication overdoses or in other untoward circumstances.

Catherine’s Inquest work is often linked to her occupational disease and personal injury practice given her experience in industrial accidents, asbestos exposure, hazardous substances exposure, and fatal accident claims. She is able to provide an integrated service covering the overlapping elements of the coronial and common law jurisdictions.

These cases have involved fatalities arising from carbon monoxide poisoning, food poisoning, suicide (in clinical settings and due to alleged occupational stress), aviation disasters, industrial accidents, road traffic accidents, drag car racing, construction fatalities and all forms of Inquest arising from an employment or public context.

Selected Cases

• Instructed on a number of occasions by the families of psychiatric patients who took their own life whilst either inpatients or on home leave from psychiatric units
• Instructed by a Local Authority in a case where the deceased committed suicide whilst under the watch of Social Services due to his failing mental health
• Instructed on a number of occasions by care providers where elderly and/or otherwise vulnerable patients and residents have died whilst in care due to falls and/or other accident related causes
• Instructed by a Local Authority in a case where the deceased died as the result of electrocution caused by a failure to maintain air conditioning in circumstances where the Council had been on notice of the risk but failed to act
• Instructed by a Local Authority in a cohort of case where the deceased had died as the result of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a failure to maintain heating systems
• Instructed on a number of occasions by Statutory Authorities where the maintenance and repair of road systems has been implicated in fatal road traffic accidents
• Instructed by the family of a spectator who was killed when a racing car left the track at an organized race event
• Instructed by a Local Authority where the deceased had fallen asleep overnight on a tram track and was decapitated when the first tram set out on its morning journey
• Instructed by a Local Authority in a case where the deceased had been dragged into the sea by a wave and drowned due to a lack of rescue equipment
• Instructed by an Insurer where the deceased had been killed in a light aircraft collision
• Instructed on a number of occasions where the deceased have committed suicide due to alleged occupational stress
• Instructed on numerous occasions by Insurers where the deceased have died on construction sites
• Instructed on numerous occasions by Insurers where the deceased have died in road traffic accidents
• Instructed by an Insurer where the deceased, a child with a nut allergy, died whilst at school due of anaphylactic shock