New research into the various types of personal injury claims being passed onto solicitors has worryingly revealed an increase in the number of fraudulent and exaggerated compensation claims being made.
The research was carried out via an online survey of 235 solicitors and enquired about their experiences of personal injury claims.
Statistical analysis of the survey supported the belief of a rise in ‘fake’ claims, after 57 per cent of the personal injury professionals interviewed had noticed an increase in the number of prospective clients making deceitful claims in the past ten years.
Attempts to claim monetary reward from fraudulent claims included compensation claims which were exaggerated or in some instances, wholly invented injuries by the claimant. Among the solicitors who had experienced suspect personal injury claims, 52 per cent stated that the initial claim would involve a car accident, with post traumatic stress and strained muscles being the most common ‘injuries’.
In an attempt to justify the results, 89 per cent of legal experts believe that the ‘blame culture’ associated with personal injury claims have been exacerbated by the introduction of the ‘no-win, no-fee’ arrangement and the recent growth of a UK compensation culture.
The research also revealed that six-in-ten solicitors believed that TV advertising for personal injury legal services was one of the key reasons for the increase in ‘fake’ claims, along with the pretence of it being an easy way to make money in a difficult economic climate.
The legal system is intended to ensure that fair compensation is provided to those who genuinely suffer injury or loss as a result of an accident. The law is not there to be taken advantage of by those who wish to abuse the system in pursuing false and exaggerated claims.
If you have suffered personal injury and believe you are entitled to compensation, please get in touch and speak to one of our advisers on 0800 163622.
[Source: Statistical research carried out by car insurers LV=]