Parliamentary Whiplash Report Calls Time on Government's Plans

PRESTON, England, August 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

http://www.claimaccidentcompensation.com Claim accident compensation.com has welcomed the result of a parliamentary report into whiplash that criticises the government's proposal to increase the small claims limit and require claims to be supported by greater medical evidence.

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The issue is one that has been widely discussed in the industry and today's news that MPs on the transport select committee have urged the government to think again will come as a welcome boost to everyone who cares about the maintenance of a robust, fair claims process that does not lend itself to abuse by unscrupulous claims companies.

Leading industry figures have been quick to acknowledge their support. One such person is chief executive of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, Deborah Evans, who has gone on record as urging the government to 'listen to reason' in the light of the report's recommendations. She was equally keen to point out that plans to raise the threshold to £5000 will end up 'punishing' people who have genuine need of representation and leave the door open for claims management companies to sell their services to people for a cut of the compensation.

Speaking about the report, Claim Accident Compensation's chief executive Colin Mahoney was in also in a defiant mood: "After 20 years in the legal profession I have learned that it is unwise to say "I told you so" - but on this occasion I think I am more than justified. We have been warning for some time that this move would prove a disaster and now it seems that people in parliament who are scrutinising the legislation agree with us. If we want a system that discriminates against people who aren't in the position of being able to absorb injuries to their health and their bank balance, then this is the way to go about it. If, on the other hand, we accept that every single whiplash claim should be considered on its merits and victims should be entitled to claim compensation, then we need to drop the current plans and put more pressure on the insurance industry to sort itself out. The last thing anybody wants to see is a situation that mirrors the PPI claims 'industry', where people are pestered by desperate salespeople looking for a chunk of any cash on offer. Get the insurance industry talking to one another and sharing data and you have a great launching pad for sifting out fraudulent claims…but don't leave the people we should really be standing up for - the victims of whiplash themselves - without any form of redress."

This issue is likely to remain at the forefront of industry discussions until the coalition issues a formal response - something that Mahoney anticipates will make for interesting times: "There's little doubt that this affair is one of the hottest debates around in the insurance and legal world right now. It's going to take some real bravery and a good deal of common sense from the government, the insurance industry and the legal profession to continue to put claimants first, but until then, claimaccidentcompensation.com will continue to do what we do best: make sure our clients get the best in friendly, easy to understand legal advice.

For more information about Claim Accident Compensation - and to find out more about our 'no win, no fee' legal expertise - log on to http://www.claimaccidentcompensation.com or call free on 0800 043 0445.

Notes to editors:

Press Contact Details
Mr C Mahoney
Claim Accident Compensation
+44(0)800-043-0445
[email protected]

SOURCE Claim Accident Compensation