The
UK government intends to stop the addition of a £90 motor insurance premium by
increasing the small claims court's compensation limit from £1000 to £5000.
The
proposal, according to Chancellor George Osborne, will end the "British
whiplash epidemic." The "epidemic" had made the UK well-known
across Europe as the continent's "whiplash capital".
According
to GP Dr. Sarah Jarvis, people who make a whiplash injury claim know they
immediately get compensation. However, she said the new proposal of putting
forward whiplash injuries and other vehicular personal injuries below £5000in
the small claims court will leave those truly debilitated by severe whiplash
injuries will not receive proper recompense.
Whiplash
injuries are common soft-tissue injuries suffered in the neck during a car
collision. As it may tear ligaments and nerves, it may cause nausea and
disorientation a few days or even weeks after the injury.
The
UK Treasury said compensation paid out for whiplash personal injuries are
"out of all proportion to any genuine injury suffered."
The
Law Society quickly criticised the proposal. The organisation said victims who
will represent themselves in the small claims court have insufficient legal
advice. It added that victims who suffer severe soft tissue injuries including
facial scarring can only receive less than £5000 when they can still claim more
than £10,000 for emotional and psychological damages.
