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EXHIBIT "C"
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA DIVISION
Civil Action No. ___: XXXX
23–cv-____-____ 3:23-cv-00782-MGL
GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, (Jury Trial Demanded)
vs.
1. Legal Professional Negligence
PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.; J. Matthew 2. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Parnell, Esq.; Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and 3. Breach of Contract
4. Breach of Contract
D&S, LTD.,
5. Constructive Fraud
Defendants.
Plaintiff, GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., complaining of Defendants, PARNELL &
PARNELL, P.A.; J. Matthew Parnell, Esq.; Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and D&S, LTD., would
respectfully allege and state to the Court facts sufficient to constitute causes of action against
Defendants as follows:
SUMMARY OF THE CASE
1. This legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and
constructive fraud case arises from errors by the Defendant lawyers and errors by its Third-Party
Administrator (“TPA”) while the lawyers the TPA retained were representing GE HealthCare in a
collections lawsuit. The lawyers failed for over 18 months to file a Reply in response to unfounded
counterclaims by GE HealthCare’s debtor that foreseeably led to the court placing GE HealthCare
in default. The TPA also failed to inform GE HealthCare about the counterclaim or about the
default for over 18 months, including withholding all information about the counterclaim and
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about the default while having a group of GE HealthCare representatives travel to South Carolina
to attend what turned out to be an unsuccessful mediation with the debtor that was—unknown to
GE HealthCare—emboldened by the default. It was not until well after the time effective remedial
measures should have been undertaken that the lawyers and TPA informed GE HealthCare about
the counterclaims, the default, and their related errors. Now that GE HealthCare is in default
effectively admitting the otherwise unfounded counterclaims by the debtor, GE HealthCare is
facing a damages hearing with no ability to undertake discovery to challenge the debtor’s alleged
damages under the counterclaims and has incurred substantial legal fees and costs in an effort to
mitigate the damages caused by Defendants.
PARTIES
2. Defendant, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A. (“Parnell & Parnell”), is a law firm
organized under the laws of the State of Alabama as a Professional Association and had offices in
Richland County, South Carolina at the time of the events forming the basis of this lawsuit.
3. Defendant, Amanda M. Scott, Esq. (“Ms. Scott”), is, upon information and belief,
a citizen and resident of Richland County, South Carolina and is a lawyer licensed to practice law
in South Carolina.
4. Defendant, J. Matthew Parnell, Esq. (“Mr. Parnell”), is, upon information and
belief, a citizen and resident of the State of Alabama and is a lawyer licensed to practice law in
Alabama.
5. Defendant, D&S, LTD. (“D&S”) is a company organized under the laws of the State
of Texas.
6. Plaintiff, GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (“GE HealthCare”), is a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with headquarters in
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Chicago, Illinois.
JURISDICTION
7. This Court has diversity jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under 28
U.S.C. § 1332 because GE HealthCare seeks to recover a sum or value in excess of $75,000 and
this controversy is between citizens of different States.
8. GE HealthCare is a corporate domiciliary of the State of Delaware.
9. Ms. Scott is a citizen and resident of the State of South Carolina; Parnell & Parnell
is a corporate domiciliary of the State of Alabama; Mr. Parnell is a citizen and resident of the State
of Alabama; and D&S is a corporate domiciliary of the State of Texas.
10. Based upon the acts, events, and occurrences stated, this Court has personal
jurisdiction over Defendants, who include a resident of South Carolina, a corporate domiciliary of
the State of Alabama, a resident of the State of Alabama, and a corporate domiciliary of the State
of Texas.
11. This Court also has personal jurisdiction based on all Defendants’ commissions of
tortious acts in South Carolina causing financial damages to Plaintiff.
VENUE
12. Venue in this judicial district is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(1) because this
action was commenced in the judicial district in which Ms. Scott resides or is domiciled; and
pursuant 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise
to the claim occurred in this judicial district through the acts and omissions of all Defendants.
FACTS
13. In 2010, D&S entered into a Master Collection Services Agreement (“the Master
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Agreement”) with GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (“GE”)1 to provide services and deliverables to
benefit GE and its divisions and affiliates, including GE HealthCare. Under the Master Agreement,
D&S was to provide what is commonly characterized as “Third Party Administrator” or “TPA”
services where the TPA retains lawyers and law firms to pursue debt collection claims on behalf
of a company, monitors those claims and proceedings, and consults with company on resolution
of claims, counterclaims, and other matters concerning the collection proceedings. The Master
Agreement refers to D&S as the “Service Provider.”
14. The Master Agreement, paragraph 9, subsection (m) titled Adverse Claims, directs
that
[D&S] shall, immediately upon [D&S]’s knowledge thereof, notify [GE
HealthCare] of all complaints, counterclaims, actions or suits received by [D&S]
relating to any Account placed with [D&S] by [GE HealthCare], including, but
not limited to, complaints, counterclaims, actions or suits received from or filed or
made by any governmental agency or department, the Account Debtor or any
persons residing with or relating to the Account Debtor, and/or other persons
contacted by [D&S] in the course of collecting. In addition, [D&S] shall
immediately notify [GE HealthCare] of any complaint, from any source, alleging a
violation of a fair lending law or regulation. Copies of all written materials or
communications relating to adverse claims, governmental investigations, and fair
lending-related complaints shall be forwarded to [GE HealthCare]. [D&S] shall
maintain a written log of all complaints received by [D&S], which shall be available
for review by [GE HealthCare]’s auditors. (Emphasis added.)
15. The Master Agreement, paragraph 10, subsection 10.2 titled Indemnification by
Service Provider, directs
[D&S] shall indemnify, defend, and hold Company, its Affiliates, and its and all
of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and
against any Losses, arising out of, connected with or resulting from (a) any act
or omission of [D&S] or any its officers, directors, shareholders, employees or
agents (including attorneys retained by [D&S]); (b) breach by [D&S] of [D&S]’s
1
GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. is a global medical technology company that was spun-
off from GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY (“GE”) on January 4, 2023, and is now a stand-alone
entity. GE HealthCare was an operating Division of GE at the time D&S entered into the Master
Agreement.
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Obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, its obligation to ensure
compliance by its agents with Requirements; and (c) any breach of any agreement
or arrangement between [D&S] and any other person or entity. (Emphasis added.)
16. In 2013, MRI AT BELFAIR, LLC (“Belfair”) entered into a lease agreement with a
division of GE separate from GE HealthCare for an MRI scanner produced by GE HealthCare.
17. By March 2014, the MRI machine was installed at Belfair’s facility and had a one-
year warranty period. Belfair complained of problems with MRI scanner and GE HealthCare
worked extensively on resolving the issues under the warranty, including replacing a gradient coil.
18. In March 2015, Belfair and GE HealthCare entered into a concession agreement
whereby GE HealthCare made a cash payment to Belfair and extended the warranty for an
additional year until March 6, 2016, in exchange for Belfair releasing and forever discharging GE
HealthCare from all claims relating to Belfair’s concerns about the MRI scanner. During the
extended warranty period, Belfair complained twice about the components of the MRI scanner and
GE HealthCare replaced the components at no charge to Belfair as quickly as possible both times.
19. In March 2016, Belfair and GE HealthCare entered into a service agreement
concerning the MRI scanner, which required Belfair to pay for services and parts to maintain the
MRI scanner.
20. By November 2017, GE HealthCare invoiced Belfair approximately $160,000 for
various services and repairs to the scanner under the service agreement, and Belfair had failed to
pay the invoices.
21. In January 2018, GE HealthCare’s collection claim against Belfair was released to
D&S under the Master Agreement for D&S to pursue and obtain a recovery against Belfair on
behalf of GE HealthCare.
22. In March 2018, D&S sent an engagement letter to Parnell & Parnell on behalf of
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GE HealthCare as the “creditor” to pursue claims against Belfair arising from Belfair’s refusal to
pay approximately $160,000 for parts and services GE HealthCare provided to maintain the MRI
scanner Belfair was leasing from another division in GE. The engagement letter stated,
“Authorization by [GE HealthCare] is required before instituting any proceeding, incurring any
expense, making any compromise, or granting any extension.” (Emphasis added.)
23. Parnell & Parnell, Mr. Parnell, and Ms. Scott collectively accepted the
representation of GE HealthCare to protect its interests and to pursue claims to recover actual
damages for GE HealthCare’s valuable breach of contract claims against Belfair.
24. On October 19, 2018, in the South Carolina Court of Common Pleas for Beaufort
County, Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell filed a Summons & Complaint on behalf of GE
HealthCare against Belfair seeking to recover approximately $160,000 for outstanding payments
due on a services contract for an MRI machine GE HealthCare sold Belfair. This action will be
referred to as “the Lawsuit.”
25. On January 2, 2019, Belfair filed an Amended Answer & Counterclaim alleging
causes of action against GE HealthCare for breach of contract, violation of the South Carolina
Unfair Trade Practices Act, Tortious Interference with Prospective Business Relations, and Fraud
in the Inducement.
26. D&S did not inform GE HealthCare about Belfair’s Counterclaims until
approximately 18 months later.
27. Neither Parnell & Parnell, Mr. Parnell, nor Ms. Scott ever informed GE HealthCare
about Belfair’s Counterclaims.
28. February 6, 2019 was the due date for GE HealthCare’s Reply to Belfair’s
Counterclaims.
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29. Parnell & Parnell and Ms. Scott knew or should have known Rule 12(a) and Rule
6(e) of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure (“SCRCP”) required filing GE HealthCare’s
Reply to Belfair’s Counterclaims by February 6, 2019 to avoid GE HealthCare being in default
under Rule 55, SCRCP.
30. Parnell & Parnell and Ms. Scott knew or should have known Rule 6(b), SCRCP
and Rule 6(e), SCRCP, required any agreement with counsel for Belfair to extend the time to file
GE HealthCare’s Reply to Belfair’s counterclaims had be in writing and the extension could “not
exceed[] the original” 30-day time to respond under Rule 12(a), SCRCP and the additional five
days under Rule 6(e), SCRCP.
31. Before the February 6, 2019 due date, Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell did not obtain
a written agreement with counsel for Belfair for an extension of time to file GE HealthCare’s Reply
to Belfair’s Counterclaims.
32. Had Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell obtained a written agreement with counsel for
Belfair, the maximum length of the extension would have added 35 additional days, which would
have set March 13, 2019 as the due date.
33. Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell did not at any time during their representation file
a Reply on behalf of GE HealthCare to Belfair’s Amended Answer & Counterclaim.
34. On August 15, 2019, Belfair filed a “Request for Entry of Default” against GE
HealthCare on the grounds Belfair served GE HealthCare with the Amended Answer and
Counterclaim on approximately eight months earlier on January 23, 2019, and it had not filed a
Reply.
35. On August 16, 2019, the Clerk of Court for Beaufort County entered an “Entry of
Default” into the record finding GE HealthCare had “not answered otherwise replied to the
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Amended Answer and Counterclaim.”
36. Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell did not file a Reply on behalf of GE HealthCare
after receiving notice of Belfair’s filing the “Request for Entry of Default” and the “Entry of
Default” into the record.
37. Based on information from Parnell & Parnell, GE HealthCare understands D&S
was aware of and involved in decisions related to whether to file a Reply on behalf of GE
HealthCare.
38. D&S did not inform GE HealthCare about the Belfair’s counterclaims and the
default until the summer of 2020.
39. On November 13, 2019, Belfair filed a “Motion for Default Judgment” against GE
HealthCare on Belfair’s Counterclaims; and filed a “Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Prosecute”
seeking dismissal of GE HealthCare’s breach of contract claims.
40. Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell did not file a Reply on behalf of GE HealthCare
after receiving notice of Belfair’s filing the “Motion for Default Judgment” against GE HealthCare
on Belfair’s Counterclaims.
41. D&S did not inform GE HealthCare about the default until June / July 2020.
42. Neither Mr. Parnell nor Ms. Scott or anyone else with Parnell & Parnell ever
informed GE HealthCare about the default.
43. On December 26, 2019, Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell sent counsel for Belfair a
“settlement agreement” signed by Ms. Scott purporting to settle the entire dispute with Belfair—
without ever advising GE HealthCare about the settlement negotiations or getting GE HealthCare’s
consent to settle or advising GE HealthCare was in default on Belfair’s counterclaims.
44. GE HealthCare later informed Ms. Scott it did not approve of the terms in the
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“settlement agreement” signed by Ms. Scott and refused to sign the “settlement agreement” as it
contained provisions concerning the lease controlled by a separate Division in GE over which GE
HealthCare had no control.
45. On January 13, 2020, Belfair filed a “Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement,
or, alternatively, Motion for Sanctions,” claiming GE HealthCare “had engaged in a pattern of
deceptive and/or misleading behavior and/or communications, intended to induce Defendants into
giving up substantive rights regarding this litigation.”
46. On January 30, 2020, the court transmitted notice to all parties advising Belfair’s
Motion for Default Judgment was set for hearing on February 26, 2020.
47. On February 20, 2020, Ms. Scott and Parnell & Parnell filed a “Motion to Continue”
the Default Judgment hearing but chose not to file a Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default.
48. Effective March 23, 2020, Ms. Scott resigned her position as an Associate lawyer
with Parnell & Parnell.
49. Because Ms. Scott filed no motion or other sought to have the Court enter an Order
under Rule 11(b), SCRCP, relieving her as counsel for GE HealthCare in the Lawsuit with Belfair,
Ms. Scott remains as counsel for GE HealthCare in the Lawsuit.
50. On May 5, 2020, a “Consent Order of Reference” was filed, referring the matter to
the Hon. Ralph E. Tupper (“Judge Tupper”) as a Special Referee to preside over the Lawsuit.
51. In late July 2020, GE HealthCare terminated the representation by Mr. Parnell, Ms.
Scott and Parnell & Parnell and retained E. Mitchell Griffith, Esq. (“Mr. Griffith”), O. Edworth
Liipfert, III, Esq. (Mr. Liipfert”), and GRIFFITH, FREEMAN & LIIPFERT, LLC to serve as lead
counsel in the Lawsuit.
52. On July 29, 2020, Mr. Griffith and Mr. Liipfert filed a “Motion to Set Aside
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Default” on behalf of GE HealthCare.
53. On September 18, 2020, Mr. Griffith and Mr. Liipfert filed a “Memorandum of
Law Supporting Plaintiff’s Motion to Set Aside Default” on behalf of GE HealthCare, which
included an affidavit signed by Ms. Scott and an affidavit signed by Mr. Parnell. GE HealthCare
filed this memorandum in an attempt to mitigate the damages caused by Ms. Scott’s and Parnell
& Parnell’s acts and omissions below the standard of care and in breach of the contract for legal
services. As demonstrated in later court findings, the other evidence did not support certain
statements in Ms. Scott’s affidavit.
54. On December 22, 2020, Judge Tupper issued an “Order Setting Aside Entry of
Default.”
55. On January 4, 2021, Belfair timely filed a “Motion to Reconsider Order Setting
Aside Entry of Default.”
56. After the motion was fully briefed and after Judge Tupper conducted a hearing, on
October 25, 2021, Judge Tupper filed the “Order Granting Defendant’s Motion to Reconsider and,
in turn, Vacating Prior Order and Denying Plaintiff's Motion to Set Aside Entry of Default” (“the
Order”).
57. This Order found GE HealthCare’s explanations for its default on the counterclaim
and for its delay in moving to set it aside were unsatisfactory. Ms. Scott in her affidavit had claimed
to have obtained a verbal unlimited extension of time and claimed that challenging counsel for
Belfair for “not honoring the alleged unlimited oral extension” would “jeopardize settlement
negotiations.” One basis for Judge Tupper’s ruling rejecting Ms. Scott’s claims was Rule(6)(b),
SCRCP, which requires extensions to be in writing and for a time “not exceeding the original time
provided in these rules.”
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58. The Order found “it simply defies logic and common sense for any attorney or
client believe that they had an unlimited oral extension after the adverse party seeks and obtains
an entry of default against them, all the more so after the adverse party proceeds to pursue a default
judgment thereon.”
59. Parnell & Parnell acted by and through their employees and agents, including but
not limited to Ms. Scott, Mr. Parnell, and Parnell & Parnell’s other lawyers, staff and personnel,
who acted within the course and scope of their employment and/or agency with all implied,
inherent, apparent and express authority to so bind Ms. Scott, Mr. Parnell, and Parnell & Parnell,
as master and principal by any negligent, willful, wanton and reckless actions and/or omissions
making Parnell & Parnell vicariously liable for same under the principles and doctrines of non-
delegable duty, corporate liability, apparent authority, agency, ostensible agency and/or
respondeat superior.
60. The negligent acts, omissions, and liability of Parnell & Parnell includes its own
acts and/or omissions and the acts and omissions of its agents, principals, employees and/or
servants, including but not limited to those by Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell, both directly and
vicariously, under principles and doctrines of non-delegable duty, corporate liability, apparent
authority, agency, ostensible agency and/or respondeat superior.
61. As of the filing of this lawsuit, Ms. Scott remains as counsel for GE HealthCare in
the Lawsuit.
62. GE HealthCare understands Belfair seeks to recover over tens of millions of dollars
in damages from GE HealthCare on Belfair’s counterclaims—now deemed admitted and true—
for breach of contract, violation of the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act, Tortious
Interference with Prospective Business Relations, and Fraud in the Inducement.
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FOR A FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Legal Professional Negligence)
(Against Parnell & Parnell, Mr. Parnell, and Ms. Scott)
63. The foregoing factual and jurisdictional allegations are reiterated and realleged as
though set forth verbatim.
64. At all relevant times, a client-lawyer relationship existed between GE HealthCare,
on the one hand as client, and Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell, on the other as the lawyers.
65. Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell owed professional duties to GE HealthCare to
competently provide legal services, counsel, and advice regarding recovering on GE HealthCare’s
valuable claims against Belfair and otherwise protecting GE HealthCare’s interests in the Lawsuit.
66. Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell breached their professional duties to GE HealthCare
based on their failure to meet the standard of care in the representation of GE HealthCare, including
their failure to timely file and serve GE HealthCare’s Reply to Belfair’s counterclaims, which led
to an Entry of Default against GE HealthCare.
67. Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell breached their professional duties to GE HealthCare
based on their failure to meet the standard of care in the representation of GE HealthCare, including
their failure to advise GE HealthCare on the status of the Lawsuit.
68. Ms. Scott and Mr. Parnell failed to meet the minimum standard of care, thereby
breaching their professional duties to GE HealthCare in other ways and by other such particulars
as the evidence developed during discovery in this case may demonstrate.
69. As a direct and proximate result of Ms. Scott’s and Mr. Parnell’s breach of
professional duties, GE HealthCare suffered actual damages, consequential damages, and
incidental damages in an amount to be determined by the jury at the trial of this case.
70. As a direct and proximate result of Ms. Scott’s and Mr. Parnell’s negligence, gross
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negligence, carelessness, recklessness, and utter disregard of their professional duties, GE
HealthCare is entitled to recover punitive damages from Defendants.
71. WHEREFORE, GE HealthCare prays for judgment on this cause of action against
Defendants, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.; Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and J. Matthew Parnell, Esq.,
jointly and severally, for actual damages, consequential damages, and incidental damages, for
punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court may deem reasonable and proper.
FOR A SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Fiduciary Duties)
(Against Parnell & Parnell, Mr. Parnell, and Ms. Scott)
72. The foregoing factual and jurisdictional allegations are reiterated and realleged as
though set forth verbatim.
73. At all relevant times, a fiduciary relationship existed between Parnell & Parnell;
Ms. Scott; and Mr. Parnell, on one hand as the law firm and lawyers, and GE HealthCare, on the
other as the client.
74. Parnell & Parnell; Ms. Scott; and Mr. Parnell owed fiduciary duties to GE
HealthCare.
75. Parnell & Parnell’s; Ms. Scott’s; and Mr. Parnell’s fiduciary duties included the
duty of loyalty, as well as the duty to act single-mindedly in preserving, protecting, and advancing
GE HealthCare’s rights and interests.
76. Parnell & Parnell; Ms. Scott; and Mr. Parnell failed to meet the minimum standard
of conduct and thereby breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty based on their failure to inform
GE HealthCare of their own errors in failing to timely file a Reply on behalf of GE HealthCare to
Belfair’s counterclaims and allowing GE HealthCare to go into default.
77. Parnell & Parnell; Ms. Scott; and Mr. Parnell failed to meet the minimum standard
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of conduct in such other particulars as the evidence in this case may demonstrate.
78. Parnell & Parnell’s; Ms. Scott’s; and Mr. Parnell’s acts and omissions in breach of
their fiduciary duties to GE HealthCare substantially caused financial harm to GE HealthCare, and
as such, GE HealthCare is entitled to recover actual damages, consequential damages, incidental
damages, all in an amount to be proven at trial.
79. As a direct and proximate result of Parnell & Parnell’s; Ms. Scott’s; and Mr.
Parnell’s carelessness, recklessness, and utter disregard of their fiduciary duties, GE HealthCare
is entitled to recover punitive damages from Parnell & Parnell; Ms. Scott; and Mr. Parnell.
80. WHEREFORE, GE HealthCare prays for judgment on this cause of action against
Defendants, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.; Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and J. Matthew Parnell, Esq.,
jointly and severally, for actual damages, consequential damages, and incidental damages suffered,
and for punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court may deem reasonable and proper.
FOR A THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Contract)
(Against Parnell & Parnell)
81. The foregoing factual and jurisdictional allegations are reiterated and realleged as
though set forth verbatim.
82. Parnell & Parnell entered into a contract with GE HealthCare, agreeing and
contracting to provide competent and prudent legal services.
83. Parnell & Parnell breached its contract with GE HealthCare by failing to provide
competent and prudent legal services.
84. As a direct and proximate result of Parnell & Parnell’s breach of its contractual
duties, GE HealthCare sustained actual, consequential, and incidental damages in an amount to
be determined by the jury at trial.
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85. WHEREFORE, GE HealthCare prays for judgment on this cause of action against
Defendant, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A., for actual damages, consequential damages, and incidental
damages, and such other relief as the Court may deem reasonable and proper.
FOR A FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Breach of Contract)
(Against D&S)
86. The foregoing factual and jurisdictional allegations are reiterated and realleged as
though set forth verbatim.
87. D&S entered into the Master Agreement with GE, including GE HealthCare, under
which D&S agreed and contracted to provide GE HealthCare with competent and prudent TPA
services.
88. The Master Agreement requires D&S to “indemnify, defend, and hold [GE
HealthCare] harmless from and against any Losses, arising out of, connected with or resulting
from (a) any act or omission of Service Provider or any its officers, directors, shareholders,
employees or agents (including attorneys retained by Service Provider).”
89. D&S breached its contract with GE HealthCare by failing to provide competent and
prudent TPA support services.
90. D&S breached its contract with GE HealthCare by failing to “indemnify, defend,
and hold [GE HealthCare] harmless from and against any Losses, arising out of, connected with
or resulting from (a) any act or omission by” Parnell & Parnell, who were the “attorneys retained
by” D&S to pursue GE HealthCare’s claims against Belfair.
91. As a direct and proximate result of D&S’s breach of its contractual duties, GE
HealthCare sustained actual, consequential, and incidental damages in an amount to be
determined by the jury at trial.
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92. WHEREFORE, GE HealthCare prays for judgment on this cause of action against
Defendant, D & S, LTD., for actual damages, consequential damages, and incidental damages, and
such other relief as the Court may deem reasonable and proper.
FOR A FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
(Constructive Fraud)
(Against all Defendants)
93. The foregoing factual and jurisdictional allegations are reiterated and realleged as
though set forth verbatim.
94. Defendants had duties to GE HealthCare to inform and explain to GE Healthcare
the existence of any counterclaim alleged in Belfair’s pleadings in the Lawsuit.
95. Defendants knew or should have known that GE HealthCare was relying on the
special confidence imposed upon the Defendants based on their professional, fiduciary, and
contractual duties owed to GE HealthCare.
96. Defendants were, in equity and good conscience, bound to act in good faith and
with due regard to GE HealthCare’s interests.
97. Defendants chose not to inform and explain to GE HealthCare the existence of the
counterclaim against GE HealthCare alleged in Belfair’s pleadings in the Lawsuit.
98. Defendants’ false statements and omissions fraudulently and materially misled GE
HealthCare about the existence of the counterclaim against GE HealthCare alleged in Belfair’s
pleadings in the Lawsuit.
99. GE HealthCare had no reason to know the falsity of the Defendants’ omissions and
false statements.
100. GE HealthCare justifiably and in good faith relied upon the Defendants’ omissions
and false statements to its pecuniary detriment.
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101. GE HealthCare suffered and will continue to suffer pecuniary damages as an actual
and proximate result of the Defendants’ material omissions and false statements.
102. Based upon the Defendants’ acts and omissions constituting and effecting a
constructive fraud, GE HealthCare is entitled to an award of punitive damages in an amount
determined by the jury.
103. WHEREFORE, GE HealthCare prays for judgment on this cause of action against
Defendants, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.; Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and J. Matthew Parnell, Esq.,
jointly and severally, for actual damages, consequential damages, and incidental damages
suffered, and for punitive damages, and such other relief as the Court may deem reasonable and
proper.
TRIAL BY JURY
104. GE HealthCare requests and demands a jury trial on all claims and issues so triable.
EXPERT AFFIDAVIT
105. Under S.C. CODE ANN. § 15-36-100(B) (2006), filed with this Complaint and
incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 1, is the affidavit of Justin S. Kahn, Esq., which
specifies at least one negligent act or omission by the Defendant lawyers and the factual basis for
each claim based on the available evidence at the time of filing the affidavit.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, GE HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., prays for judgment on
all causes of action plead against Defendants, PARNELL & PARNELL, P.A.; J. Matthew Parnell, Esq.;
Amanda M. Scott, Esq.; and D&S, LTD., jointly and severally, for all actual damages,
consequential damages, and incidental damages, and for punitive damages, all in an amount to be
proven at trial, and the costs of this action, and for such other and further relief as this Honorable
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Court may deem just and proper.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Thomas A. Pendarvis___________
Thomas A. Pendarvis (Fed. Id. 5785)
Christopher W. Lempesis, Jr. (Fed. Id. 11462)
PENDARVIS LAW OFFICES, P.C.
710 Boundary Street, Suite 1-A
Beaufort, SC 29902
843.524.9500
Thomas@PendarvisLaw.com
Chris@PendarvisLaw.com
Counsel for Plaintiff, GE HEALTHCARE
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Beaufort, South Carolina
February 27, 2023
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1
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF CHARLESTON
Personally appeared before me, Justin S. Kahn, who, being duly sworn,
says and testifies:
1. It is my expert opinion, held to a reasonable degree of professional certainty,
based on my background, training, experience and review of certain
materials in the matter captioned GE Healthcare v. MRJ at Belfair, LLC civil
action number 201 8-CP-07-02070, that the lawyer representing GE
Healthcare and her law firm committed at least one act of professional
negligence proximately causing financial damage to GE Healthcare.
2. From my review of the materials, Amanda Mange Scott, Esq. (Lawyer), was
practicing law with the law firm of Parnell & Parnell, P.A. (the Law Firm)
during relevant times.
3. GE Healthcare will be referred to as “the Client.”
4. The Lawyer represented the Client regarding a collection matter and filed
suit against MRI at Belfair, LLC (Belfair) attempting to collect money for
the Client.
5. Based on the Complaint filed on Oct. 19, 2018 in GEHealthcare v. MRJat
Belfair, LLC, civil action number 2018-CP-07-02070, the Lawyer
electronically signed the summons and complaint “Is! Amanda M. Scott”
while working for the Law Firm.
6. The summons, to the left of the signature block, shows “P&P No.: 1368505”