Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence
“Injured people will suffer twice” – furious reaction to clin neg fixed costs
Those harmed by the NHS will “have to pay again by losing access to justice” as a result of government plans to introduce fixed costs, campaigners have claimed.
Government sides with defendants in clinical negligence fixed costs plan
The government has finally published its proposals for fixed costs in low-value clinical negligence cases. Going with fees proposed by defendant representatives, it expects to save £454m over 10 years.
Collapse in number of motor claims continues but clin neg cases jump
The number of motor injury claims reported to the Compensation Recovery Unit fell by nearly 20% last year, new figures have shown. However, the volume of clinical negligence claims increased.
Insurance firm develops AI app to boost clients’ reserving
A leading insurance law firm has mined its historic claims data to create an app for clients to improve estimates of how much cash to set aside at an early stage in volume personal injury claims.
MIB to probe why unrepresented claimants are shunning whiplash portal
The body that operates the Official Injury Claim portal is to investigate why unrepresented litigants are not using the service. They are bringing fewer than 10% of claims made through the service.
Leading litigation loan provider owes backer £43m, administrators reveal
Affiniti Finance – which lent money to thousands of law firm clients – went into administration late last year after a breakdown in the relationship with its ultimate backer, which is now owed £43m.
Medical negligence claims process can be “inhumane experience”
Making claims against the NHS can be “a difficult, and in some cases inhumane, experience”, with the worst cases seeing staff trying to “proactively cover up” errors and even fabricating medical records.
Pandemic turned Slater & Gordon profit into £20m loss
The pandemic hit Slater & Gordon hard, with a £12m profit turning into a £20m loss in 2020, newly published accounts have shown. Its turnover for the year fell 8.6% to £111m.
S&G refunds £4,000 deduction in latest Checkmylegalfees clash
The latest battle between Slater & Gordon and Checkmylegalfees.com has seen the law firm refund £4,000 it deducted from a client’s damages where he was signed up to a CFA 97 seconds after receiving it.
‘Director deadlock’ on future direction contributed to failure of top PI firm
Multiple factors contributed to the demise of one-time personal injury giant Hampson Hughes, including the whiplash reforms and the directors disagreeing on its future direction.
Doctors up in arms over ‘pre-conception negligence’ ruling
Hundreds of doctors around the country have spoken out over the High Court finding a GP negligent for advice given to a mother before conception which led to the birth of a disabled child.
Litigants in person continue to shun Official Injury Claim portal
The number of claims begun in the Official Injury Claim portal increased in the second quarter of its operation but once more fewer than 10% of them were brought by litigants in person.
“Diligent and caring solicitor” was not dishonest over medical reports
A personal injury lawyer who the SRA accepted was a “diligent and caring solicitor” but was under “significant pressure” from his employer has been cleared of dishonesty by a tribunal.
MedCo goes it alone as it bids to reduce registration costs
Medical reporting portal MedCo has begun employing its own staff for the first time after the Motor Insurer’s Bureau stopped providing managed services.
QC criticises NHS Resolution for “unacceptable” delay in settling huge claim
A leading QC has criticised NHS Resolution for “unacceptable” delays in settling one of the largest ever settlements in a clinical negligence case.
Blog
Containing the spread of unapproved AI
Nearly 60% of fee-earners admit to using unapproved tools (like free versions of ChatGPT). Yet 68% of firm leaders are confident there is zero risk of unapproved AI being used for client work.
When AI adoption goes wrong, costs add up fast
City AM recently reported that London is fighting to claim the title of ‘global capital of legal AI’. However, it’s crucial we remember that adoption alone does not create value.
Gen Z lawyers vs identity, sacrifice and success
This conversation began with my training principal, who admitted something many senior lawyers quietly feel: “I struggle to understand what motivates Gen Z lawyers.”
