To
crack down on "crash for cash" incidents, the UK Chancellor George
Osborne plans to increase the small claims court's compensation amounts from
£1000 to £5000. The Law Society expressed its criticism.
According
to the society, the proposals may undermine the ordinary citizens' right to
receive proper compensation when they are hassled or injured through no fault
of their own.
The
Law Society said that serious injuries from employer and traffic accidents lead
to complex cases and the small claims courts' £5000 can severely limit victims'
compensation.
The
limit would mean even facial scarring, which typically receives £10,000-20,000
in compensation including emotional and psychological damages, would only
receive £5000 as it is a soft-tissue injury.
The
Select Transport Committee (STC) had pushed the same complaint forward. They
said victims cannot find proper legal consultation and will be forced to
represent themselves before the small claims court.
This
would be difficult for those who are living alone and have no legal counsel.
They will also have to take care of their personal arrangements for the matter.
Britain
is today known as Europe's whiplash capital following exaggerated or fraudulent
claims have a 90 per cent chance of successfully earning recompense through
personal injury claims.
