McLaren Successfully Defends £20m Lawsuit Thanks to Clyde & Co's Efforts
McLaren Wins £20 Million Personal Injury Claim, Reaffirming Compliance with Safety Regulations
In a significant ruling that offers reassurance to insurers, carriers, and TPAs handling international claims, McLaren Automotive Events Limited has successfully defended a high-value personal injury claim brought against them. The case, Andrew Cannestra v McLaren Automotive Events Limited [2025] EWHC 1844 (KB), involved a Florida-based neurosurgeon who claimed he was injured during a snowmobile excursion in Lapland, Finland.
Dr. Andrew Cannestra, a father-of-five from Portsmouth, was participating in a McLaren-hosted ice-driving experience when the accident occurred. He alleged that negligent instruction by McLaren's subcontractors led to his crash and resulting severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury that ended his medical career.
However, after an eight-day High Court trial, Mr. Justice Ritchie dismissed all claims. The judge found the accident was caused by Cannestra’s own misuse of the snowmobile throttle rather than any failure of instruction or safety by McLaren. The safety briefing and guidance were held to be adequate and compliant with Finnish local standards.
Expert evidence played a crucial role in the case. McLaren’s snowmobile accident reconstruction expert (with Canadian experience) and Finland’s Safety Agency (TUKES) confirmed full compliance with safety regulations. In contrast, Cannestra’s UK-based expert lacked direct knowledge of Finnish snowmobile standards, weakening the claimant’s case.
The judgment emphasized that compliance with local safety regulations and reasonable guidance can provide a robust defense against high-value, cross-border personal injury claims arising from package travel events. This ruling is a significant precedent for the application of the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 in high-risk, cross-border cases, highlighting the importance of local regulatory standards and participant conduct in assigning liability.
Meanwhile, McLaren has continued to focus on sustainability and carbon footprint reduction. The company has unveiled its first ever Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Impact Report and achieved the Planet Mark Standard for the second consecutive year, a recognition for carbon footprint measurement and reduction.
Clyde & Co, the law firm that represented McLaren in the case, highlighted their international reach and forensic approach as key factors in preserving evidence, discrediting speculative claims, and securing a decisive outcome.
The widow of the deceased, Patricia Oldham, stated that she has been "robbed" of her husband. A Finnish Investigative Officer from government agency TUKES confirmed full compliance with local safety requirements. The latest news from McLarens focuses on their commitment to sustainability and carbon footprint reduction, sending a clear message to insurers and their clients that liability for user-driven accidents can be robustly defended when local regulations are followed and proper guidance is given.
In light of the ruling, it can be inferred that adherence to local safety regulations and providing appropriate guidance can protect businesses, such as insurers and carriers, against high-value, cross-border personal injury claims in the context of package travel events. Moreover, compliance with regulation extends beyond safety, as evident in McLaren's achievement of the Planet Mark Standard for carbon footprint reduction, reassuring stakeholders of their commitment to sustainability.
