There is also a huge "medicolegal" industry financed by banks, these are effectively companies that finance the claimants visits to doctors and after care for accidents. They pay upfront and claims made to the 3rd party's insurers. A bit like credit hire.

Not sure how any of this works, but dare say there's a need for such things.

Pal of mine received a nasty industrial injury which stopped him working for well over 12 months, and will mean further knee and ankle problems later in life...he's no work shy claimsRus regular by the way, apart from this he's never taken a day off work sick in the 35+ years i've known him.

His (now ex) employer and their insurance hung the job out as long as possible making mediocre offers along the way, no doubt in the hope my mate would be forced through growing debts to accept a lower level of compensation.

Unfortunately for them, not only is my mate one of those rare debt free breeds with savings, he's also one of the worlds most stubborn/cantakerous people, safe to say he recieved the proper rate of compensation in due course where others may have been forced to accept a lower payout but faster.

Is this the type of scenario you speak of Zippy?

Your friend may well go to this type of firm for help, just make sure its one that doesn't take a share of his claim, but claims their costs as part of the awarded fees / costs / medical expenses. If he can't fund the costs himself - and that's a key element - then this type of firm can be helpful. Just ask around to get a reputable one.

Thankyou Zippy, thankfully his case is long over, he used a decent solicitor who he funded, i don't know about medical expert reports.

Glad your case worked too, Concrete, it got to very close to the court date before my friends previous employer/insurer offered suitable compensation.

We sent off the footage to her company insurers who immediately rejected the claim and it was subsequently withdrawn. Just goes to show the lengths some will go to for a quick buck.

Cheers Concrete

I hope the insurance company also prosecuted her for attempted fraud (yup, I know you won't know the answer to that question!). A reason why we have to pay so much for insurance here in the UK (compared to the Gulf where I used to live, where the roads have far more accidents, but also where insurance fraud would get you deported) is there is so much of it, and I very rarely read of people being prosecuted for fraudulent claims.

The claimant was an American who presumably put in a spurious claim and returned to the USA. My daughters fleet manager told us the claim was withdrawn. I suppose the insurance would have paid out if I had not filmed the scene. It seems easier for them to pay out a few thousand instead of the cost of fighting it. This is really what has led to the increase in claims. If they had properly challenged cases it would be self policing.

Insurance companies are a strange beast. They will pay out sums to 'save' money but other claims they will fight. Medical problems are difficult to disprove, the classic 'bad back' syndrome ( no offence to real sufferers) springs to mind. Like GB's friend I fought a claim. mine was against the Post Office. Only vehicle damage but their driver was lying like a door mat and they believed him, despite photographic and witness evidence to the contrary. They were awful to deal with. Eventually a filed a case and got a court date. Guess what? They settled the afternoon before the case was due to be heard. Talk about brinkmanship, but like GB's friend I too can be stubborn when I know I am right. It pay to stick to your guns.

Cheers Concrete