
Bruce Shields
Bruce Shields
Email: Bruce.Shields@thompsons-scotland.co.uk
Telephone number: 0141 566 6853
Bruce Shields
- Miscellaneous Information
-
Before pursuing his legal career, Bruce worked in the Post Office where he became an elected official in the UCW (Union of Communication Workers). His experience as a trade union official with employment and health and safety issues prompted his decision to study law. He has worked exclusively in the field of personal injury and health and safety since his legal career began and is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in personal injury law.
Bruce has been with the firm since June 1996, starting as a trainee solicitor. He was appointed a Partner in 2004.
Bruce has specialised in pursuing cases for industrial accidents and disease, and has a wide experience in acting for injured parties across various industries. His particular specialism is in industrial diseases. Bruce has represented miners, and the families of deceased miners, suffering from occupational respiratory disease and vibration white finger. He continues to act for workers across all industries suffering from industrial diseases such as vibration related injuries (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, HAVS, Vibration White Finger, VWF, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, CTS) and deafness.
He continues to act for the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in Scotland and represents Scottish miners in test case litigation brought against the former British Coal for osteoarthritis of the knee (Miners' Knee). The litigation awaits hearing before the Court of Appeal in the new year.
In 2010 Bruce became a Solicitor Advocate, gaining rights of audience to the Supreme Courts in Scotland. He works in the firm's Lung Disease Department where he represents, as Solicitor Advocate, workers and their families who suffer as a consequence of their exposure to asbestos.
Bruce has trained at an advanced advocacy course with the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). He is a member of APIL (The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers), an Association dedicated to promoting the interests of accident victims and the improvement of services provided by the personal injury lawyer.Thompsons has produced a video which explores the terrible legacy of asbestos. In it Bruce and other members of the asbestos claims team explain how affected workers can claim compensation following diagnosis of an asbestos disease.