Claim news
22/01/2008
Personal injury solicitors follow price index decision

A landmark ruling on injury compensation payments was upheld by the Court of Appeal last week, which may leave personal injury solicitors watching the case's progress to the House of Lords.

The case, Thompstone v Thameside, is under appeal as the losing side is angry at the decision that the instalments in the damages awarded are set to increase in line with an alternative, more generous, index of inflation. Some personal injury solicitors have estimated the potential cost of future compensation claim cases following the alternative index as £1.7bn.

Insurance Daily describes this as "one of the most controversial decisions facing the insurance industry for a number of years, particularly given the strong implications for the NHS".

Although the Court of Appeal has upheld this more generous index, it is still possible that the House of Lords or future legislation could overturn the decision. Until the case is settled, personal injury solicitors will be attentive to developments.