News

Settlement, December 2009 - Meningococcal Septicaemia

In December 2009 we concluded a claim for clinical negligence in a case which had been ongoing for many years.  The Claimant sought damages against her GP for failing to refer to hospital with suspected meningococcal septicaemia. As a result of the illness the Claimant lost both feet and some digits to both hands.

Liability was agreed fairly quickly and interim payments were then provided to help the Claimant fund prosthetic limbs to allow them to walk.

The case highlighted problems valuing a case where the client's medical condition was still uncertain. The Claimant had real difficulties in obtaining limbs that fitted comfortably and it was suggested that further surgery be carried to amputate higher up the lower limbs. This would allow better fitting of limbs.

There were also complex personal circumstances which required the Official Solicitor to be appointed to act on the Claimant’s behalf.  On several occasions the Court had to delay the final trial until a decision was taken about further surgery to help with fitting of limbs and where the Claimant would live.

Compensation was still paid during this period so that the Claimant’s needs were met until we could finally value the claim.  A substantial award was secured for the Claimant and approved by the Court in December 2009.  We had hoped to secure periodical payments as part of the settlement.  These are annual sums guaranteed during the Claimant's lifetime.  Unfortunately this was not possible because the Defendant was not in a position to secure the future payments.

Instead a Trust was set up to secure the Claimant had sufficient funds in the future.

Out of Service

We at Barratts take great pride in ensuring that our client receive a professional and friendly service. Each client is treated as an individual and their cases are conducted to a high standard.The following is a letter sent to a legal publication by a claims handler in a large firm. This is NOT how we at Barratts conduct claims.

"At one firm I was expected to run nearly 200 cases, and at least 50 of them had to be litigated. I never had time to visit a client or take a statement in person, or even to run through the evidence before trial because of my other cases. I had to rely heavily on a barrister to prepare my witness client. The emphasis in all these firms is profit, no matter what the cost. And referral fees just mean that they can continue to do shoddy work as long as they can pay the referral fee.
I tried to bring the issue of training less-experienced fee-earners to the attention of my superiors but was told that there was not time. Then the fee-earners in question would run a case badly or handle the client inadequately and the case would be passed to a more senior fee-earner to sort out, and prepare for trial.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority or Law Society should do more to help firms implement the Civil Procedure Rules on a more professional level. More monitoring of the kind of service received by these insurance-run firms should be done to ensure a good level of service can be offered, as well as profit made."

Law Society Gazette 23 April 2009

John Measures joins Barratts

John Measures joined Barratts in June 2008 to establish a specialist biker accident claims division, Barratts Motorcycle Solicitors. John joined us from NewLaw in Cardiff where he was their motorcycle claims manager.

John is a qualified solicitor and is a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. He is a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel and an accredited Fellow of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. He has specialised in personal injury claims for over 20 years, handling cases for clients who have suffered injuries of the utmost severity. He is recognised as a leading UK biker solicitor.

Bernadette O'Driscoll

After 10 years of service with Barratts Bernadette has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge. We send our congratulations and best wishes to Bernadette in her new career.

Adam Castledine

Since the age of three, Adam has always been involved with motorcycles. He regularly competes in Moto-Cross and Sand Racing competitions. Barratts are pleased to be able to help assist Adam with a sponsorship package.

Headway

Barratts have for many years supported Headway the Brain Injury Association both at national and local level.  Headway was in fact founded in Nottingham and its Head Office remains here.  Ed Myers has for over 10 years been a Trustee and Vice Chair of Headway Nottingham which runs a thriving day centre for individuals with brain injury.  The centre, on Mansfield Road, Nottingham, offers adult education classes, recreational facilities, and escorted trips.  Barratts have regularly raised funds for Headway Nottingham.  In June Ed Myers will be taking part in the Wheely Big Cycle Ride to raise funds for Headway.