/24-7PressRelease/ - WOLVERHAMPTON, UK, May 03, 2008 - Black Country-based lawyer Andy Shaw of Higgs and Sons, who is also a MASS regional co-ordinator for the West Midlands explains: "More and more claims are being settled without the claimant having independent advice, leading to a very strong perception that many claims are being under settled. Insurance companies which capture third-party personal injury claimants before they have consulted a solicitor should be regulated like claims management companies."
"We are seeing a marked increase in people who have been involved in a personal injury coming to us where an insurance company has made a settlement offer - in some cases, a massively inadequate offer costing consumers thousands of pounds. These offers are often made with no medical report and no investigation into the effects of the injury. In some cases some insurers actively discourage the claimant to seek alternative independent legal advice. MASS believe this cannot be right - liability insurers should not be able to act as judge, jury and paymaster. It's a clear conflict of interest and the consumer will suffer while the insurance company will add to their profits."
MASS is lobbying the Government hard under the Compensation Act to force a change in the rules - believing the claimant must be protected at all times which can only be done if they have access to and are encouraged to seek, good quality independent legal advice.
Andy concludes: "MASS has expressed deep concerns about the practice of Third Party Capture in the specific context of potentially leading to inadequate compensation for consumers who have not had access to legal representation. Insurance companies should have to abide by the same level of transparency as claims managers now do."
For more information contact Andy Shaw of Higgs and Sons on 01384 342100 or andy.shaw@higgsandsons.co.uk.
Higgs & Sons operates from three locations in the Black Country; Brierley Hill, Stourbridge and Kingswinford. Established in 1875, the firm is one of the largest in the Black Country.
Editors Notes:
The Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) is a national association of solicitors who specialise in Road Traffic Accident (RTA) claims. MASS was formed in 1991 to promote the efficient and expert provision of legal advice for those involved in motor accident compensation claims. The Society assists the exchange of information between solicitor firms specialising in RTA and Personal Injury claims and members handle over 400,000 cases per year. It provides Members with bulletins, newsletters, training courses and a directory of service providers whose services may be required following a road traffic accident.
Further information: Hazel Crawford-Upton, Connect PR, 01902 714957, hazel@connect-group.com
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