(11/02/2009)

City solicitor backs claim that insurers are bullying accident victims

Leading Liverpool solicitor Paul Rooney Partnership is backing claims made by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) that insurance companies in the UK are bullying road traffic accident victims into accepting lower levels of compensation than they could expect if they issued legal proceedings.

The claim was made at the recent APIL annual dinner where its president blamed "weak financial regulation of certain insurance activities" for the behaviour of insurance companies that pressurise accident victims into settling claims prior to seeking any legal advice.

“This is a huge problem.” Admits Solicitor Simon Shaw from the Paul Rooney Partnership. “On a daily basis we hear from our new clients that they have already been approached by insurance companies employing hard-sell tactics to dissuade them from seeking legal advice.

“Furthermore, some insurance companies are now employing agents whose job it is to constantly harass and bully claimants who have already started the legal process. Insurers are also now offering cleverly marketed ‘settle early’ policies and even offering to pay for physiotherapy treatment.
“All of this is in a bid to prevent people obtaining a settlement for injuries in line with the law of the land.”

To illustrate the problem, in her address to the APIL dinner, its president Amanda Stevens, detailed a case of a woman injured in a road traffic accident. She was offered £1,000 to settle immediately if she did not seek legal advice. This offer was rejected and instantly raised to £1,700.

After going through the proper legal channels, the woman settled for over 1000 per cent more than the original offer and also had her legal fees paid.

Simon Shaw continued: “Our advice to victims of road traffic accidents is simple: the only way to ensure that you will achieve full recognition and just compensation for the injuries you have sustained is to take independent legal advice from a recognised solicitor. “There should be better regulation in the sector to prevent these practices and we’d happily share our experiences with the regulatory authorities if they wish.”

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