Personal Injury & Litigation – Individuals

When life takes an unexpected turn—whether through a personal injury or a dispute you never anticipated—having the right legal support can make all the difference. Our Litigation and Personal Injury team helps individuals navigate challenging situations with clarity, confidence, and practical guidance. We advise on a wide range of issues including contract and property disputes, professional negligence, debt recovery, contentious probate matters, and claims arising from injuries caused by road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, medical negligence, slips and trips, and more. Our priority is to understand the full impact of your situation so we can protect your interests and pursue the best possible outcome.

Personal Injury & Litigation – Individuals

When life takes an unexpected turn, the consequences can be overwhelming. Whether you find yourself in a dispute you never anticipated or you have suffered an injury, having the right legal support can make all the difference. Our Litigation team is dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenging situations with clarity, confidence, and expert guidance.

Disputes can arise in many areas of life, and when they do, they can quickly become time‑consuming and stressful. Our Litigation team advises individuals on a broad spectrum of civil and commercial disputes, including contract disagreements, property disputes, professional negligence claims, debt recovery, contentious probate matters and personal injury.

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve support, answers, and fair compensation. We act for individuals who have suffered injuries in road traffic accidents, workplace incidents, slips and trips, medical negligence, product defects, and a wide range of other circumstances. Our priority is to understand the full impact of your injury—not only physically, but also emotionally and financially—so we can pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

We work with leading medical experts and rehabilitation providers to ensure that your recovery is supported at every stage. From initial investigations and evidence gathering to negotiating with insurers or issuing court proceedings, we handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your wellbeing. Most personal injury claims can be pursued on a “no win, no fee” basis, and we take time to explain all available funding options clearly, ensuring you feel informed and in control.

Our approach is strategic and pragmatic. We start by assessing your position, identifying risks, and explaining your options in straightforward terms. Wherever possible, we seek early resolution through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation. When litigation is necessary, we provide robust representation and clear guidance throughout the court process.

Steve Wengraf heads the Litigation department assisted solicitor, Katie Whelan. The team can assist with a wide range of different types of litigation and debt recovery matters and will be able to advise you pragmatically and cost effectively as you require

Tailored Support, Clear Advice

Every case is different, and we take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your objectives, and tailor our advice to your specific situation. Whether you are recovering from an injury or facing a complex dispute, we ensure you receive practical, realistic advice at every step.

Communication is central to our service. We keep you updated, explain what to expect, and work proactively to move your case forward without unnecessary delay. Our goal is always to protect your interests, reduce stress, and secure the best possible outcome for you.

Here When You Need Us

If you have been injured or are involved in a dispute, early advice can be invaluable. Our team is here to support you—providing the expertise, reassurance, and commitment you need to navigate difficult circumstances with confidence.

Advice

  • Contractual disputes
  • Professional negligence
    • Experience in all aspects of this complex area and includes:
      • Advising on duties owed by the professional
      • How to prove negligence and losses sustained
  • Debt recovery
  • Tracing bad debts
  • Dealing with individual debts, sole traders and Limited companies
  • Pre-action advice
  • Issuing and pursuing claims
  • Defended claims/counter claims and litigation
  • Enforcement
  • Obtaining High Court Writs
  • Instructing High Court Enforcement officers
  • Obtaining charging orders, third party debt orders, attachment f earnings orders
  • Possession proceedings
  • Insolvency proceedings
  • Commercial disputes
    • Ownership of the business
    • Director Disputes
    • Management responsibilities
    • Funding issues
    • Health & Safety issues
    • Resolution experience through Arbitration and Litigation
  • Property and land disputes (Including Landlord and Tenant Disputes)
  • Enforcement
  • Dispute Resolution and ADR
    • Advise all clients to attempt to avoid litigation, if possible
    • Mediation and other Dispute Resolution experience
    • Formal issue of proceedings if necessary
  • Personal Injury
    • Road Traffic Accidents (RTA)
    • Slip, trips and falls
    • Work accidents
    • Catastrophic injury

Team Members

Steve Wengraf

Partner

Steve Wengraf

Steve qualified in 1993 and became a Partner at Rutherfords in 2003.

Steve has wide litigation experience. He advises both individuals and business clients on various types of litigation and dispute resolution matters. These include professional negligence, business disputes of all types, landlord and tenant disputes, property disputes and general contractual disputes. He frequently attends in the County Court and High Court.

Steve also undertakes Claimant personal injury work. He became a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel in 1997. Steve deals with all types of  personal injury work (particularly catastrophic injury claims) including representing client’s interests in the Coroners Court.

In addition, Steve supervises Rutherfords’ Debt Recovery Department and Employment Department in his capacity as Litigation Partner.

Steve acts as the firm`s Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA) and Money Laundering reporting Officer (MLRO).

Solicitor

Katie Whelan

Katie is a Solicitor working in the Litigation department. Katie joined Rutherfords in 2021 gaining legal experience alongside studying at university

Katie has a first-class honours degree in Law, a postgraduate degree (the Legal Practice Course) and a masters degree in law.

Katie is a solicitor assisting partner Steve Wengraf in the Litigation department. Katie assists with matters including debt recovery, personal injury and dispute resolution matters which includes landlord and tenant disputes, business disputes and general contractual disputes. Katie also frequently attends the County Court to represent clients.  

Legal Secretary

Lin Clapham

Lin is an experienced legal secretary working for partner Steve Wengraf in the Litigation Department.

Lin is also the PA to the Partners at Rutherfords LLP

Services

Call us on: 01827 311411

Ventura House, Ventura Park Road,
Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3HL
T: 01827 311411
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