SIGNET HOUSE, 49-51 FARRINGDON ROAD, LONDON, EC1M 3PP, ENGLAND
- Tel:
- Work 020 7430 0712
- Fax:
- Fax 020 7430 1796
- DX:
- 53308 CLERKENWELL
- Web:
- www.parlettkent.co.uk
- Email:
With offices in central London and Exeter, this is a specialist claimant clinical negligence and personal injury practice. It has notable expertise in cases for children, cancer, and brain and spinal injury.
The firm: Parlett Kent was founded in 1940 and has focused on its current specialisms since the 1980s. It provides legal services of the highest quality, delivered in a sympathetic manner, for clients and their families with complex complaints relating to all areas of medicine and related disciplines. The firm provides high levels of partner involvement and supervision in all cases. Most matters are dealt with by a team of fee-earners, including qualified nurses, one formerly of AvMA.
Parlett Kent believes it is important that the quantification of claims is carried out by solicitors who know the client and their family, as opposed to barristers or accountants. It therefore has a particular expertise in quantum and the preparation of schedules of loss and damage, and the firm has obtained record damages of £6.5m in a spinal injuries case. The partners are members of the Action Against Medical Accidents Clinical Negligence Panel and the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel.
The firm carries out legal aid work in both offices. It is instructed by legal expenses insurers and offers CFAs in appropriate cases. It also promotes mediation for clients, has successfully concluded a number of cases by this method, and was involved in Resolve, the scheme for speedy resolution of small-value cases.
Types of work undertaken: Parlett Kent has dealt with cases arising from most medical specialities. As well as high-value cases, it is committed to acting for clients with lower value cases where their claim has merit. Areas of expertise include obstetrics and gynaecology, including cerebral palsy claims, Erbs Palsy cases, ruptured uterus, and bowel and bladder damage claims. Cervical cancer is a specialism, as is breast cancer, where the firm has reached a number of settlements for misinterpretation of mammograms. Plastic surgery claims are handled and the firm has also acted in an untreated sickle-cell anaemia case and psychiatric negligence cases.
Particular expertise is provided in quantifying claims arising out of head injuries, the effects of which are often subtle. Surgical cases, as well as meningitis and other infections, medicine overdoses, appendicitis, accident and emergency cases, and ophthalmic claims are also handled. Paediatric cases are a major specialism, including securing the first admission of liability from the Bristol Royal Infirmary arising from negligent heart surgery carried out by Mr Wisheart. The firm also handles cases brought against GPs and other solicitors.
Breakdown of work % Clinical negligence and personal injury 100
Number of UK partners 6
Number of other UK fee-earners 10
Above material supplied by Parlett Kent.