Changes the Government intend to make and scheduled to be implemented in October 2018 will almost certainly mean that many wholly deserving accident victims may be prevented from receiving the compensation to which they are entitled unless they are prepared to conduct their own legal claims. Young and old alike – technology savvy or not – with or without any legal knowledge – there will be no exceptions.
Insurance companies have got their way. Thousands of legitimate claimants are destined to be punished for the acts of the minority – those individuals who regard seeking compensation on fraudulent grounds as an easy way of making money. The new rules which will affect everyone are intended to stop such actions.
We do not represent fraudulent claimants . We seek to recover just compensation for those individuals who through no fault of their own have sustained injury and very often suffered severe financial consequences as a result of that injury.
From October 2018 it is fully expected that any claim arising from a road traffic accident with a value of less than £5,000 will not entitle a claimant to payment of any legal costs at all. Claimants suffering fractures, psychological injury , scarring, and any prolonged symptoms from soft tissue injuries to any part of the body – not simply the neck – may well find their claims become subject to this ruling.
The choice will therefore be a stark one – either they must conduct their claim themselves up against insurance companies staffed with very experienced claims handlers and legally qualified advisors whose job it is to reject claims or minimise any compensation payments made – or they can use solicitors but must then pay for their legal representation in full.
There will be a third choice of course – one which the Government and the insurance companies would much prefer – that being to elect simply not to pursue their legal right to claim and so receive no compensation at all.
The new figure of £5,000 will be a 500% increase on the current ‘small claims’ ceiling of £1,000.
Further changes will also affect both accident at work and public liability accident claims – such as those against local authorities for defective highways or against occupiers of unsafe premises.
From October 2018 the small claims/no legal costs ceiling for these claims will rise from £1,000 to £2,000 again leaving claimants either having to pursue claims against their own employers or multi-national companies in person or not pursuing a claim at all.
Our very strong recommendation is if you think you may have grounds for a claim DO NOT DELAY in seeking advice as it is likely to be to your serious detriment if you do. Our team of expert personal injury lawyers will be happy to advise you on your potential claim and what is best for you.
You have less than 12 months to safeguard your position. Please don’t make the mistake of waiting or wondering. Contact us now – before it is too late.
