Posted By Diane Thomason I don't have specific answers to your questions but the TUC has some good info http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=258 If you go to the "compensation myths" document you will find lots of statistics about claims. Hope this helps.

Posted By DJ Granny, I think some of the facts have got a bit mixed up. Most personal injury claims are taken these days on a Conditional Fee Arrangement (CFA) commonly known as a no-win no-fee. This means that if the claims company does not win (or settle) the claim it gets paid nothing. In return for working on a CFA the claims company is entitled to charge an 'uplift' on its fees. If it wins (or settles) the company will seek to recover its fees from the other side and usually it will be paid most of its fees. The Claimant can be required to make up the difference between the full fees and the amount recovered from the other side (i.e. 90% of the fees). However, many solicitors now agree to accept only what they can recover from the other side and not to touch the Claimant's compensation. With regard to the insurance, this is known as After the Event (ATE). The reason for this insurance is that if the Claimant loses, although he may not have to pay his own adviser (because of the CFA), he will be faced with a the Employers legal costs (under the loser pays rule) and so he insures against this risk. This system means that a claimant knows at the outset that all he will have to pay is the insurance premium (which is also recovered if he wins) and any disbursements (e.g. medical reports). Because the Claimant has obtained a CFA and ATE insurance, the employer has to be very certain he is going to win before it (or its insurer) decides to defend a claim, because if it loses it will be faced with both sides legal costs (one of which is on an uplift), the ATE premium and any claimant's disbursements. Regarding the time for claims to settle, I believe that most claims are now settled within 12 months, due to the strict timetable set out by the Courts. Regards. David of up to 100% depending on the risk it is taking. The general rule is that the losing side The solicitor/claims company can recover from the Claimant any charges for e.g. medical/expert reports and court fees. However, if the Claimant wins his case, these will be paid by the losing party.

Posted By RA David, Are you certain about the timescale you have suggested regarding claims completion. Most claims can take anything between 1 and a half years to one that I am currently dealing with has been ongoing since 2001, although the claimant did have damages awarded, but he is currently appealing. Thanks, RA

Posted By Granny RA - could you confirm the max time limit on your settling of claims 1 and 1/2 to ? Gham - I agree I understand settled as following a court decision but it would be useful if Dave could confirm this as the timescale he has quoted does seem short

Posted By RA Granny, "Most claims can take anything between 1 and a half years to one that I am currently dealing with has been ongoing since 2001" The one that I am currently dealing with is from 2001 i.e. 5 years and I know of plenty that go on for longer than that. There cannot be a complete standard timescale for all periods of settlement as different claims require differing amounts of investigation timescales, insurance handling, court appearances, consultations, etc. and of course do not forget appeal timescales. Although the latter is getting shorter. RA

Posted By DJ Guys, My apologies, I meant claims in total, not just those that go to court, although many of those will also be settled within 12 months. If it is a large claim and it is allocated to the 'full hearing' track, or if the decision is appealed then of course it will take much longer. However, the vast majority of claims are allocated either to the 'fast track' system. Sorry for the confusion. Regards. David