Class action alleges Waller Legal ‘were negligent and were in breach of contract’
A law firm which specialises in child sex abuse claims and which acted for a complainant in the George Pell case is facing a class action over claims it failed to secure proper compensation.
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A prominent law firm which represented a former choirboy allegedly abused by George Pell is facing a class action amid claims it failed to secure proper compensation for its clients.
Waller Legal, which specialises in child sex abuse claims, is facing legal action from eight former clients over allegations it failed to pursue “loss of earnings” compensation, meaning some missed out on more than $1m in entitlements.
“It is alleged that Waller Legal settled claims for substantially less than what the claims were worth, on the basis that a category of compensation (economic loss) was not properly sought,” a summary of the class action states.
“The claim in this proceeding alleges that Waller Legal were negligent and were in breach of contract.”
In documents filed to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the lead plaintiff using the pseudonym Jane Jones alleges she received $135,000 in compensation after costs when represented by the firm in 2017.
But she was awarded a further $1.35m in 2022 when she sought different legal representation, court documents state.
The woman’s brother was awarded $195,000 in a claim against the same offender but was awarded a further $1.74m in damages when he switched lawyers, documents state.
Waller Legal’s director and managing partner Vivian Waller was a key figure in the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse where she represented 20 survivors.
The firm’s website states: “We look after child abuse survivors. Unlike other firms, we don’t do anything else.”
The class action was launched by Rightside Legal, another firm which also specialises in child sex abuse claims.
Waller Legal were contacted for comment.
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