News opinion
Email your opinions to
editorial@barkerbrooks.co.uk CONSIDER THIS
“We do believe there is a strong case for increasing the small claims track for personal injury claims,butwhenwe return to this topicwewill seek to ensure that adequate safeguards are developed to protect genuine claimants fromany detrimental effects (access to justice; under-settling of claims) arising from any
increase.MoJ officials and analysts are in regular contact with representatives fromClaims PortalLtd in order to ensure sufficient capability is built in the Portal tomitigate against any impact arising froma future increase.” Chris Grayling, MP in a letter to Louis Ellman, the Chair of The Transport Committee
“Tis should have been a clear cut case as the initial accounts given by our client and the driverwho hit himwere broadly in agreement,whichmade the claims by the insurance company all themore concerning.Without any evidence or justification they said that our client,whowas injured in the accident and requiredmedical treatment,was attempting a so-called ‘Crash forCash’scam.While I realise that it is the job of insurance companies to avoid fraudulent payouts and protect the interests of their clients, this signifies a veryworrying
trend.To avoid paying out in this case, theywerewilling to accusemy client of criminal behaviour,which could potentially have had very serious consequences for everyone involved.” Kieran Magee, Partner, TRUE Solicitors on insurers making unjustified accusations of fraud
“Howwill this impact on insurance brokers and insurers? Itmay be that theMitchell decisionwillmake firmswith a litigation department a less attractive
risk.Firms could see their insurance premiums increase fromnext renewal to reflect this. Itmay be that a litigation firm’s diary systemswill be under evenmore scrutiny than before frominsurers,and brokersmay face difficulty placing insurance for firmswhose systems are not sufficiently robust.Whilemost firms are nowpretty good at keeping track of key dates such as expiry of limitation or deadlines for service,an equally rigorous approachwill nowbe vital for all other deadlines and procedural steps in litigation.” James Field, Solicitor, Triton Legal, on the Mitchell decision
IN NUMBERS 87%
The amount of RTA injury claims that cover injuries to the neck, according to Government statistics, with 58% classified as whiplash
100
Jobs thought to be at risk at Pannone following the firm's merger with Slater & Gordon
18.9%
The percentage of accidents that In-Car Cleverness dealt with up to December 2013 which involved company vehicles
12.7%
The percentage of claims made on private motor insurance policies according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in Q3 of 2013
£1.5m
The total paid out by Worcestershire County Council over the last four years for personal injury claims
30,000
The number of workers represented by the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA). The trade union has invested in Morrish Solicitors to help the PI firm to become an ABS
16 /Claims Magazine/Issue 11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60