`Compensation Culture' in the UK - What does the future hold?
Media reports paint a confused picture of the compensation
industry in the UK. Some studies provide evidence of an
increased willingness to sue for compensation however slight the
supposed injury, with diminishing consequences for society,
public services and industry. Others reject claims of a
widespread compensation culture as tabloid myth.
In recent years there has been a rise in the number of people
claiming accident compensation; the question is whether this is
a positive or negative trend and what the likely outcomes are.
Many see the upward trend as a contributing factor in the rise
in insurance premiums, costing hospitals millions of pounds and
contributing to an overall change in society. On the other hand,
as a result of these changes, there has been an increase in the
level of awareness of issues such as health and safety and
employee rights. This has forced many companies and public
places to raise their standards and provide safe and comfortable
working environments for their employees.
What has caused this rise?
It is thought that one trigger for the rise in the number of
people claiming compensation was the lifting of laws banning
solicitors from advertising. This made it easier for legal firms
to seek out potential claimants and develop