Government proposals to increase the small claims limit for personal injury claims are bad news for accident victims, claims local lawyer Janet Watson of Ridley & Hall Solicitors.

Janet who specialises in personal injury claims is concerned about the government’s plans: –

“At the moment so long as the value of your claim is more than £1,000 you can instruct a lawyer to act for you knowing that their fees will be paid by the other side if you win your case.  In February, the Justice Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed that an increase in the small claims limit for personal injury claims is likely and the limit could be raised to as much as £15,000.  Most accident claims are worth less than £15,000 so if this becomes law, accident victims will either have to pay a solicitor from their compensation or just deal with the case themselves”.  The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has published a letter in regional newspapers about the proposed reforms.  APIL president Karl Tonks has attacked Mr Grayling’s comments saying “Any arbitrary increase in the small claims court limit to personal injury would just force injured people into a system which is fit only for settling disputes about faulty goods and services, not for dealing with complex matters of law”.

Janet Watson is concerned that innocent accident victims will be at risk if the limit increases:-

“Someone who is injured may be tempted just to accept a low offer from an insurance company.  If they choose to fight then the only option available to them will be a damage based agreement which means that they will have to agree that their solicitor is paid a percentage of their damages – it seems outrageous that someone who is injured through someone else’s negligence will have to lose some of their compensation in this way.  The insurance companies argue about a compensation culture but they are the ones who will be laughing all the way to the bank if these reforms are introduced.”

For further information please contact Janet Watson on 01484 538421.  Janet is a Senior Legal Executive specialising in personal injury law handling a variety of cases from road traffic accidents to complex accidents at work. Janet is a member of APIL and is committed to achieving maximum damages for her clients. She believes that it is important that each client receives a personal friendly service.