I am a personal injury lawyer based in the Salisbury office. I act for clients in a wide range of personal injury cases, including road traffic accidents, slips and trips, and accidents at work.
I am a Recommended Lawyer in the Legal 500 2021 guide which notes: ‘Frances Gillett is a personal injury expert and is recommended for road traffic accidents’.
"I am really happy with all the service and help I have been provided by Frances. Everything was fast paced and I really appreciate the outcome that was achieved." - Miss E
Areas of Expertise
Case Study
Mr B was involved in a road traffic accident whilst cycling along a country lane. The Defendant performed a dangerous manoeuvre and attempted to overtake Mr B but as the road was very narrow this manoeuvre placed Mr B in a vulnerable position. The Defendant failed to leave adequate space as required by the Highway Code when overtaking a vulnerable road user such as a cyclist. The Defendant then completed the manoeuvre and then without warning stopped in front of Mr B causing Mr B to collide with the vehicle. Mr B sustained facial injuries and required surgery. The Defendant made an offer of settlement and after negotiations I secured a £10,000 increase on this offer. Mr B accepted the increased offer and the claim settled
A client who had been badly assaulted, resulting in a brain injury, applied to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) for compensation. He was initially offered £5,000. I assisted the client with an appeal to the CICA, which eventually resulted in the client being awarded in excess of £120,000 for his injuries.
A client sustained serious lacerations to her arm after slipping and falling on broken glass in a nightclub. The client was left with permanent scarring. There was a complex network of companies involved in the nightclub, therefore establishing the correct Defendant was difficult. I was able to unravel the complexities and establish the correct Defendant, and when liability continued to be denied, court proceedings were issued. Liability was subsequently admitted and I negotiated a settlement without the need to go to trial.
A client sustained whiplash injuries in a low velocity Road Traffic Accident. However, the client did not recover as expected. I therefore continued my investigation by instructing additional experts. I then requested an interim payment and assisted the client to arrange the recommended rehabilitation. The case settled for £80,000.
What others say
‘Frances Gillett is experienced, organised and pragmatic. Her clients value and trust her judgement.’
‘Frances Gillett – a personal injury specialist with an impressive caseload. She is very clever and leaves no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of every case.’
‘This was a long drawn out case with the third party trying to raise as many obstructions/obstacles as possible, however as the saying goes; the ‘the truth will out’ and in this case, with the tenacity and hard work of Trethowans, specifically Frances Gillett, this has proved to be the case. Thank you.’ – Mrs L
Away from the office
I live in Dorset with my husband and two young children. Myself and my husband love old properties, and are currently restoring a Grade II Listed Dorset Long House.
My family and I also enjoy sea kayaking during the warmer months of the year.