Damian Horan

Damian Horan “is probably the very best spinal cord injury solicitor in the country” TheLegal 500, 2025
Damian Horan is “brilliant and very dedicated” Chambers UK 2025

Damian is a vastly experienced neuro trauma solicitor who has successfully concluded some of the most complex and high value spinal cord injury claims in the UK in recent years.

He is widely regarded as one of the most experienced catastrophic injury solicitors in the UK with an incredibly successful track record in achieving fantastic outcomes for the clients he represents. All his cases are brought in the High Court in London and almost all of the settlements he achieves result in seven and eight figure compensation payments for his clients.

There are few solicitors in the country who can match the experience he has acquired over the last 30 years dealing with complex personal injury claims. Damian has earned a coveted spot in The Legal 500 ‘Hall of Fame,’ an exclusive category dedicated to individuals consistently praised by clients for ongoing excellence, and for lawyers at the pinnacle of their profession. This distinguished endorsement is limited to a select few solicitors nationwide.

Damian’s clients come from across the UK and internationally, and he has significant experience of acting in cases where the injury was sustained abroad, or where liability is denied. Damian has particular experience and expertise of acting in cases where there is both a severe spinal cord and brain injury trauma. He has acted for many years as a professional deputy and understands the interface between the litigation claim process and the court of protection for our clients who lack capacity to conduct their own litigation or manage their financial affairs.

Throughout his career, Damian’s interest has extended far beyond maximising compensation awards; one of his key priorities has been to enable the effective rehabilitation of his clients.

Damian’s aim is to obtain interim payments wherever possible, to provide monies for his client and so that he can put rehabilitation, a care package and suitable accommodation in place at as early a stage as possible and ideally before the client even leaves a hospital.

Damian has a dedicated team of lawyers who work alongside him, all of whom have vast experience of succeeding in complex and high-value spinal cord injury claims. As a team, Damian is committed to improving the quality of life for Aspire Law clients.

Damian can visit clients at major trauma centres, hospitals, or rehabilitation centres throughout the country. He sees clients at their homes or, if they prefer, at an appropriate venue close to their home. Damian is also able to see clients at Aspire Law offices in London and has access to meeting rooms in most major cities.

Case successes

Below are some of his most recent settlements:

• Damian Horan and Anna West secure landmark judgment for a young mum who sustained a spinal cord injury as a result of a dangerous tackle during a rugby match. This resulted in nationwide press coverage.
• £17m for client rendered tetraplegic following a road traffic accident. This settlement is believed to be the highest settlement for an adult with a spinal cord injury in the UK.
• £13.1 m for client left tetraplegic after family member crashed car
• £12.5m for pedestrian client left tetraplegic having been struck by a domestic bin which had been struck by a speeding car
• £11.5 million for a young woman hit by a speeding car
• £9m for client left paraplegic following terror attack
• Seven figure settlement secured for a client who became paralysed after she fell over a wall whilst on holiday
• £5m for a 67 year old man left tetraplegic and severely brain injured following a road traffic accident
• £6.5m for a motorcyclist left incomplete paraplegic as a result of a road traffic accident
• £4.75m for a cyclist left paraplegic following a collision with a car
• £7m for a young man who sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury following a road traffic collision.

What the clients say

“First class all round.”

“Excellent support received from Mr Horan…”

“Ever since we became clients, we have been greatly impressed by their professional expertise and their comprehensive grasp of the overall legal situation. Moreover, not only did they have all the legal skills we would have hoped for, winning the case for us handsomely, but they also took considerable care to keep us fully informed. At every stage, they explained matters sympathetically. They were unfailingly efficient and courteous at all times; we could not have been better served.”

“Thank you so very much for all that you have done for me. From the beginning, you took great care to take the stress out of what would otherwise have been an unbelievably traumatic time for us. You were always so considerate and thoughtful.”

“Thank you for absolutely everything through this journey, it has been a pleasure and no matter how difficult life has been through this, you have helped make it easier and have truly helped in getting my brother back from where he was just after the accident to where he is now. Can’t thank you enough for that”

“There will never be enough words to express my gratitude to you all for all your support and guidance over what has been the most difficult five years of my life. Your kindness and resilience on this journey can never be forgotten nor will it ever be. Your hard work has allowed me to hopefully get some closure and please God maybe start to rebuild my life.  Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.”

What the experts say

Damian Horan “is possibly the very best in his field of expertise. He is meticulous in his work and has a proven track record of considerable success for his clients and has settled some of the highest value cases in English legal history for his spinal cord injury clients. Every client is represented with the highest degree of professionalism and managed with genuine compassion and determination to achieve justice” The Legal 500, 2024

Damian “understands the market well, knows what clients want, and is committed to the various charities associated with this field of work” The Legal 500, 2023

“Damian has a very clear understanding of the litigation process and, in particular, very good judgement.”  “He demonstrates meticulous attention to detail and shows genuine compassion for the welfare of his clients.” Chambers UK 2022

Damian Horan, who leads the personal injury team, has an outstanding track record in catastrophic injury cases; he is a go-to for individuals that have sustained severe brain and spinal cord injuries.  The Legal 500, 2022

Damian Horan is commended by sources as “an acknowledged specialist in the spinal cord injury field and someone who clearly cares enormously about those he represents.” “Further commentators extol “his ability to empathise with clients and his practical knowledge of the way the law works.”  – Chambers UK 2019
 

Damian’s background

A graduate of University College London, Damian was called to the bar in 1993 and is dual qualified as a barrister and a solicitor. Damian can assist clients who lack capacity to manage their own affairs and is a Court of Protection approved Deputy.

Damian is admitted as a solicitor not only in England and Wales but also Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In 2017 he was shortlisted by the Law Society as UK solicitor of the year in recognition of the work he does representing clients with catastrophic injuries. He was also very proud to pick up on behalf of Aspire Law the prestigious Lawyer award for ABS of the year. 

Professional Memberships

Damian is a member of the following organisations:

• Spinal Injuries Association (SIA)
• Law Society
• Middle Temple
• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
• Headway

60 Cheapside
City of London
EC2V 6AX