DDay for smaller injury claims April 2013

Posted 18/07/2012

The Government is planning major changes to the personal injury claims system from next April. One of these changes relates to the way in which smaller claims are handled. For the past couple of years lawyers have been required to use the ‘portal’ system for road traffic claims with a value of less than £10,000. The idea was to improve the use of technology and drive down the cost of processing the claims. 

Now the Government seems set on ignoring much of the advice it is being given and plans to insist that the portal is used for cases worth up to £25,000 and for other types of claim as well as RTAs.

Both the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Motor Accident Solicitors Society have expressed their concerns that the Government is listening only to the insurers and not basing legislation on the factual evidence.

Michael Wangermann of Ashtons Legal said: “April 2013 is becoming a D-Day for injury services. The Government appears firmly set on moving forward at breakneck speed to implement change ignoring serious concerns. The academic evidence suggests more caution and the IT technology is simply not there to cope with the planned changes. My main concern is how we will continue to do an excellent job for anyone who has had the misfortunate of being injured.”