The UK's Never Ending Trouble With Personal Injury Fraud

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.