Warning over Personal Injury Claim Law Changes

March 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Tinsdills Solicitors have warned that upcoming changes to the way personal injury claims are handled could mean claimants losing thousands of pounds in compensation. The changes have been announced in response to a government report carried out by Lord Justice Jackson.

Tim Cogan, Senior Partner and Personal Injury Solicitor at Tinsdills explains a little more about the changes. ”These changes have been sought by the government in part as a response to concern about the rise in cost and number of personal injury claims and their effect on the cost of insurance premiums. However, these proposed changes go far beyond that and will have a significant effect on those wishing to make a claim.”

The new laws which will come into force in April will see strict limits placed on the amount of legal costs a claimant can recover from a third-party following a successful claim, rather than being allowed to claim all their legal fees from the opposing side as is the case now. What this means is that if a claimant wins a case, the opponent will no longer have to pay all the claimants costs on top of the compensation they have been awarded. The rest of the claimants legal fees will be payable by them out of damages awarded, this will still mean  No Win, No Fee – but if  you do win – there will be a deduction from the  compensation awarded.

Tim is also concerned about the welfare of claimants as a result of the change. “Many people suffering a serious personal injury through accident or illness which was not their fault find life very difficult. Often claimants are struggling financially and may find it difficult to work or carry out day to day tasks. The new law is simply unfair, with claimants being forced to give up part of their compensation, which can make a real difference to the quality of their lives. The government are rightly concerned about the rising cost of insurance and fraudulent claims, but hitting genuine claimants in this way is the wrong approach.”

The warning from Tinsdills Solicitors to prospective claimants is clear. If you believe that you have a personal injury claim then you should act quickly to beat the law change. By doing so before April claimants will be able to pursue their claim under the current system which could result in them receiving significantly more compensation to help them.

About Tinsdills Solicitors
Tinsdills Solicitors are one of the largest and most experienced firms in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire with offices in Leek, Hanley, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Sandbach.

Our specialised departments offer an expert and friendly legal advice service for personal and business clients including residential property, family law, company and commercial, wills trusts and probate, professional negligence and personal injury. For more information call 01782 652300 or visit http://www.tinsdills.co.uk

Press Contact:
Mark Gibson
Tinsdills Solicitors
01782 652 365
mark.gibson@tinsdills.co.uk