Crash compensation delayed after law firm collapse

A man who was involved in a road traffic collision said he is still waiting for thousands of pounds in compensation following the sudden closure of a law firm.

Roydyn Evans, 65, is one of tens of thousands of people impacted by the collapse of Sheffield-based PM Law, which specialised in personal injury, wills and conveyancing.

Evans, who suffered two collapsed vertebrae and nerve damage in the accident in 2024, said he has paid about £5,850 for ongoing treatment so far and was due to receive compensation when the firm shut on 2 February.

He said: "I understand this is a lengthy process at best but to now have to start again with a new solicitor is a serious setback and very frustrating."

Evans, a vehicle delivery driver from Leicestershire, had been out on a job in King's Lynn, Norfolk, when he said another driver crashed into him.

He said due to the injuries he sustained and the frequent pain, he had been unable to return to work or drive his own car.

"Probably for the rest of my life, I will have restricted movement in my neck due to the collapse of vertebrae," he said.

Evans is currently paying for his treatment upfront, but had instructed solicitors to pursue compensation for both past and future medical expenses, as well as for his loss of earnings.

"I've got no benefits or anything due to my wife's financial position," he said.

"I'm actually borrowing money from my wife to have the treatment."

Evans said he was sympathetic to clients caught up in house sales or remortgaging processes, adding that his own situation was affecting his wellbeing "every day, every hour, every minute".

"I just hope that we can come to some conclusion," he said.

"Can they just close the door not on just their employees but on clients as well?"

According to its website, PM Law employed more than 600 people at firms including Proddow Mackay, Butterworths Solicitors, WB Pennine Solicitors and Angela Viney Conveyancing Services.

Some clients who spoke to the BBC said the closure left them stranded mid-house sale, while staff said they were devastated to discover they had lost their jobs through a notice posted in the firm's windows.

In an update on Monday, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which intervened after PM Law's closure, said it was investigating potential fraud, including the misappropriation of clients' money.

The SRA said it had shared information about PM Law with law enforcement.

The Serious Fraud Office said it could not confirm whether or not it was investigating.

Meanwhile, Report Fraud, which is run by City of London Police, said it was aware of the fraud allegations.

A spokesperson said: "Report Fraud can confirm it has received reports in connection to these allegations and is liaising with the Solicitor Regulation Authority on next steps."

The BBC has made repeated attempts to contact PM Law at their Sheffield headquarters in person, by telephone, via email.

We have also put questions to them via the SRA and the law firm appointed intervention agents by the body. In addition, we have put questions to a number of senior staff via business social network LinkedIn.

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