The department was started in May 2009 when Chris Lodge joined the firm. He now heads a team of four RTA practitioners from Kaslers’ Kings Hill office. Kaslers RTA is now one of the largest specialist RTA Departments in Kent.
For convenience the direct dial number for most of the practitioners is their mobile. However the office is manned from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm weekdays ) other than Bank Holidays and if the person you need to speak to is not available, please speak to a member of the department on 01732 897976.
The Kaslers RTA Team
Chris Lodge
Chris qualified as a Solicitor in 1978 and joined Kaslers Solicitors LLP in May 2009 as a consultant having previously been a partner in two Maidstone firms for 28 years. He now manages Kaslers RTA, the firm’s road traffic accident department. He is also responsible for the department’s marketing initiatives.
Almost throughout his legal career he has concentrated on road traffic accident claims assisting fleets large and small as well as private individuals with both damage only and personal injury claims.
Chris strongly believes in providing clients with a personal service in an impersonal world and feels this fits right in with the work ethic at Kaslers.
He considers that many victims of Road Traffic Accidents get a raw deal from their legal representatives, particularly where no injury has been suffered. All too often, such claims are handled by junior staff with minimal experience and indifference to the concerns of their clients. His wide knowledge of his subject and the practices of all the leading insurers over the years usually results in claims being settled with the minimum of delay and the maximum of result.
He is currently the regional co-ordinator for the South East forthe Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) with a membership of over 150 specialist road traffic accident firms of solicitors and sits on their management committee.
Throughout his career, Chris has championed the cause of streamlining the personal injury claims process and currently serves as a representive for MASS on two working parties reporting to the Ministry of Justice and was one of three of lawyers who tested the software for the Low Value Road Traffic Accident Claims prccess introduced in April 2010.
Born in Leeds but brought up in Dorset, Chris now lives is Tunbridge Wells with his French wife. After 30 years of marriage, he speaks quite fluent French (!) and a little German. He is an avid fan of cars, cinema and enjoys world travel. His favourite sport is cricket and regrets that he has too little time to watch it.
He is an enthusiastic member of 4Networking and frequently provides 4Sight talks on RTA matters at their breakfast venues throughout the South.
Find Chris in Twitter as @CarAccidentAid and also onLinkedIn
E-mail Chris at cml@kaslers.co.uk . Direct dial : 07850 255312
Stephen Barnett
Stephen joined Kaslers Solicitors LLP in March 201o as a Consultant Solicitor.
Having qualified in 1977, most of his experience has been in the personal injury sector. Whilst well experienced in all aspects of RTA claims, Stephen (unlike Chris) also deals with Employers Liability and Public Liability matters.
Over his career, he has worked ina small number of East Anglia law firms including 21 years in one where he was partner for over a decade and managed their accident department.
At Kaslers RTA, Stephen deals with many higher value claims as well as taking matters over from other members of the team at the time when court proceedings are required.
Stephen is married and lives in Southend-On-Sea. He is available to see clients (where necessary ) at both the Canary Wharf and Kings Hill offices.
Find Stephen on LinkedIn
E-mail Stephen atslb@kaslers.co.uk . Direct Dial : 07802 446567
Wayne Piper
Wayne joined Kaslers Solicitors LLP in May 201o as a Paralegal.
With past experience in both motor sales and running his own restaurant, Wayne decided on a complete change of career and for several years has worked in specialist personal injury firms in Kent.
At Kaslers RTA, Wayne concentrates on all types of Road Traffic Acident claims with or without injury.
He is married and lives in Eastbourne. He is based primarily at our Kings Hill office.
Find Wayne on LinkedIn
E-mail Wayne at wpp@kaslers.co.uk. Direct Dial : 07702 710269
Natalie Tappenden
Natalie joined Kaslers Solicitors LLP in July 201o as a Paralegal.
Natalie (or Nat to her friends) has dealt with Road Traffic Accident claims and those involving personal injury for over 8 years. Outside work, she is a keen Liverpool fan and as well as loving many other sports and the cinema.
She and her partner live in the Rainham and as he also works in Kings Hill, Nat will be primarily based at our Kings Hill office
E-mail Nat at nt@kaslers.co.uk. Direct Dial : 07730 531583
