October 07, 2026
Switalskis explains the most common spinal injuries in sports and when you can claim compensation to support your recovery.
Mark Hollinghurst
Managing Director of Serious InjuryMark qualified as a solicitor in 1991. He is Managing Director of the Serious Injury department. Mark is also a member of Switalskis' Management Board.
Personal Injury, Brain Injury, Serious Injury, Management Board
Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
In the DB Cargo Building
Lakeside Business Park
Carolina Way
Doncaster
DN4 5PN
Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
77 Coleman Street
City of London
EC2R 5BJ
Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
Floor 9 West Village, 114 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 1BA
Switalskis Solicitors Ltd
5-7 Ramsden Street
Huddersfield
HD1 2SN
Mark specialises in brain and spinal injuries for adults and children arising from all types of accidents and assault.
Mark’s case load of serious brain injury claims for adults and children includes a significant number of multi-million-pound claims for those suffering from serious brain injury.
Mark has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving minimally conscious clients where there is often a cross-over with parallel Court of Protection proceedings, for example where there are issues about the client’s future residence. Mark will fight tenaciously for the most profoundly injured clients to return to an adapted home setting if that is clinically appropriate.
Mark also specialises in claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority relating to serious brain injury from assaults.
Mark is involved in a number of external organisations associated with his work:
- Co-Founder and Chair of Headway Yorkshire East Coast, branch of Headway (the brain injury charity)
- Member of Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Member of UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum
Mark has been nationally recognised for his brain injury claims practice, winning the Lawyer of The Year Award at the UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum Awards 2017.
APPROACH
Mark is consistently praised by leading counsel and counsel for his excellent level of client care, attention to detail and commitment to securing early interim payments for rehabilitation.
Mark’s clients say he is caring, approachable, empathetic and tenacious. His determination sees him secure excellent results for clients. Mark is often approached to take over cases from larger law firms in which the case has not been progressed or approached appropriately. Mark has an ability to weave together the many and varied parts of a case to produce a coherent and strong case. He is able to put this into practice through a loyal and energetic team around him.
EXPERIENCE
- Represented a male who suffered profound brain injuries, initially minimally conscious. Able to return home with a very significant care package. Settlement of a lump sum plus annual payments, amounting to multi-millions over lifetime.
- Claim for male suffering serious brain injury, with difficult background circumstances. Settlement of multi-millions.
- Claim for male suffering serious brain injury, damaging previously good career prospects. Settlement of multi-millions.
- Claim for a female relating to moderately serious brain injury and orthopaedic injuries. Settlement in excess of £1million.
- Mark secured a settlement for a young-cyclist, who was left with a severe brain injury after being struck by a HGV whilst riding his bike. Read the case study in full.
"Mark takes a very hands-on approach to his cases. He is thoughtful, measured, compassionate and ambitious, as well as being extremely knowledgeable when it comes to fatal accidents and very high-value claims."
Chambers and Partners
"The team at Switalskis were attentive, caring and knowledgeable. I was involved in a serious road accident and suffered a number of serious injuries including a brain injury. Mark and Ewan visited us at home to explain the litigation procedure and time scale which was a little daunting. They kept us informed of progress and were available to talk to and help us throughout the long process. They achieved very acceptable compensation which will help us rebuild our lives and secure our future. Their fee was more than fair for the time and attention we received. We would use them again and would recommend their services. Thank you."
Brain Injury Client
"He has a fine legal mind and is dedicated to his clients. With him, they are in safe hands."
Chambers and Partners
"Mark Hollinghurst is a stand-out lawyer, always calm, extremely thorough, pragmatic and sensible and has extensive experience with serious injury claims. He is willing to go the extra mile for his clients."
The Legal 500
‘Mark Hollighurst really cares about the individual clients he works for. He is also very calm but tough with opponents. He is strategic in the way he approaches brain injury claims.'
The Legal 500
"He is excellent – really highly experienced in catastrophic injury work. He managed the case superbly from start to finish."
Chambers and Partners
ACCREDITATIONS
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