Who? Michael Antoniw, 49-year-old partner and personal injury specialist at Thompsons in Cardiff.


Why is he in the news? Acts for Alison Dugmore, the Swansea nurse who won £354,000 in the Court of Appeal last week after developing a potentially fatal allergy to latex.

The court held the health authority strictly liable for her allergy in a new interpretation of health and safety law that makes all employers strictly liable for injury to employees caused by hazardous substances. The House of Lords refused leave to appeal.



Background: LLB at Cardiff University 1973-76, then law finals at Newcastle Polytechnic 1979-80. Articles at Thompsons in Cardiff, qualifying in 1982 and becoming partner in 1987.


Route to the case: Through a referral from union client Unison.


Thoughts on the case: ‘When Ms Dugmore developed her allergy to latex, the hospital did not provide her with alternative gloves, which meant that she became increasingly sensitised to rubber. Once she developed a problem and it was identified as a latex allergy, her employers provided an alternative but by that time she had already been sensitised. She can now break out in a rash whenever she has contact with any rubber, even rubber bands. This has had a serious effect on her life - she cannot go to parties because there may be rubber balloons. This will affect all employers working with substances such as sterilising chemicals, de-greasants and solvents - even if there is no evidence at the time of damage that these chemicals are harmful. I think it is fair - it will force employers to put the safety of their employees first.’



Dealing with the media: ‘I was interviewed live on the BBC and local radio stations. I am quite used to dealing with the media, having appeared on documentaries about occupational disease and corporate manslaughter. You just have to be clear about what you are saying, and be short and sharp.’