Our News
UK Compensation Culture is a Myth- 10/11/2010
Less than one in three people claim compensation after they have been injured in an avoidable accident, with the average payout in accident at work cases less than £4,000, exploding the myth of a rampant compensation culture in the UK, says a leading Wolverhampton Personal Injury Lawyer.
Of an average of 2.5 million personal injuries resulting from avoidable accidents each year, 1.6 million people do not seek the compensation to which they are legally entitled, according to independent research carried out by the National Accident Helpline (NAH), which refers people looking for advice on personal injuries to solicitors.
“We actually have an ‘anti-compensation culture’ in this country, as most people who have suffered an injury through somebody else’s fault do not turn to solicitors to help them make a claim,” says Susan Todhunter, Partner in the Personal Injury Department in the Wolverhampton office of FBC Manby Bowdler LLP.
“Most people are confused about the process involved in making a personal injury claim - only 6 per cent of people say they are confident they know their legal rights, while some are nervous about approaching a solicitor. Many potential claimants are worried about what other people will think of them if they do make a claim.”
The NAH research found that 39 per cent of people are concerned as to how they will be perceived by others if they were to seek legal help and that 60 per cent of people would feel guilty about bringing a case against their employer.
According to Ms Todhunter, the nature of many accidents and resulting personal injuries are often trivialised by outside observers despite the fact they can have a long lasting financial and personal impact. Yet the sums paid out are not great.
She says: “People can suffer long-term health problems and mental trauma which means they have to have time off work. Quite often not only do they lose income from their current job, but their future employment prospects are also damaged.
“The sums paid out in compensation are usually not huge, but can make a real difference, especially to low income families, to help them get back on their feet after an injury and the impact it has on their life. It is only right and fair that people should be adequately compensated for losses that were not their fault.”
The average payout for accident at work claims is £3,821, less than three months’ wages of the average UK annual income after tax (£16,655 in 2009).
FBC Manby Bowdler deals with a wide range of personal injury work, securing their clients compensation for injuries from a whole range of accidents including slips and trips, accidents at work, and road traffic accidents.
In the last 12 months the firm has also secured a number of major settlements for clients who have suffered serious head injury, including awards equivalent to £4.5 and £7.7 million to pay for accommodation and 24-hour care; a settlement equivalent to £2 million and two settlements of over £500,000 for pedestrians who suffered head injuries, one of whom will suffer life long epilepsy; and a £700,000 settlement for a car passenger left wheelchair dependent.
With 36 partners, FBC Manby Bowdler is one of the largest law firms in the West Midlands. The firm has offices in Wolverhampton, Willenhall, Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth. The 16 strong Personal Injury Department is based in FBC Manby Bowdler’s Wolverhampton and Willenhall offices.