A survey carried out using Freedom of Information requests to over 75 councils by leading consumer legal rights website Nowinnofee.co.uk, has revealed that UK councils are paying out as little as £3.95 for compensation claims – excluding the cost of administration and legal advice.
The information, gathered during the last five years, disclosed compensation claims including £3.95 for dry cleaning, £16 for a bruise, £19.99 for damage to a garden light, £20 for a damaged shoe, £10 paid out to a claimant who tripped on a broken manhole surround, £20 for damage to an ornament, £10 for walking into a low hanging sign, £35 for damaged clothing and £50 for a fall.
Tom Johnson, founder of nowinnofee.co.uk said: “Trivial compensation claims like this are very worrying. They show that people are being advised to put in claims for minor and insignificant incidents and this bad advice is costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds. The time and money spent processing paperwork, not to mention the legal expenses, can be as costly for a claim of £3.00 as it can for a claim of £3000, and the strain these petty claims are putting on UK councils will ultimately result in increased taxes for the general public.
“Anybody who has suffered accident or injury as a result of somebody else’s negligence is of course entitled to claim, but we need to be sensible about it and people need to be sure that the advice they are seeking is genuine. Consumers are not always aware of their legal right to compensation with many not fully understanding the meaning behind the jargon and advertising slogans. What people need is relevant and honest advice to help them move forward with legitimate and worthwhile claims, rather than wasting time on minor incidents.”
Nowinnofee.co.uk was founded by Tom Johnson after he suffered whiplash in a car accident. The site aims to dispel the myths surrounding “no win no fee” claims and also guide site users into how they can move things forward without incurring major legal fees. The site answers many of the common questions asked by consumers looking for compensation, or refers them on to a solicitor for more specific and detailed legal advice.
