According
to the UK's Law Society, the Chancellor's proposal to increase the small claims
court limit from £1000 to £5000 would leave many personal injury victims from
road accidents without proper legal advice.
Law
Society President Jonathan Smithers pointed out that the "fivefold
increase in the present level of cases currently within the small claims
procedure" only makes it difficult for victims to traverse the small
claims court without legal advice. They will be forced to represent themselves.
Smithers
pointed out that insurers have every resource to gain legal advice, making it
unfair for victims in the process.
The
proposals was a result of the Chancellor's survey with insurers regarding the
£2 billion yearly loss to fraudulent and exaggerated soft tissue injuries.
Whiplash injuries, which have no immediate symptoms of injury, merit more than
£4000 from insurers.
According
to medical experts, anybody who claims to have whiplash, even without proper
health documentation, can earn recompense at any amount.
However,
the Law Society President said that if the government implements its plans, the
limit will also apply to facial scarring, which can merit more than £10,000 in
recompense.
