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Compensation Law Changes: What the Civil Liability Act Means for Claimants.

Reforms to personal injury claims have reshaped access to compensation—especially for whiplash and low-value injuries.

The Civil Liability Act 2018 introduced significant changes to personal injury compensation in England and Wales. The government cited an “epidemic” of minor injury claims—particularly whiplash—as a driver of rising insurance premiums and legal costs.

Key Changes:

Whiplash reforms: Fixed tariffs now apply to whiplash injuries lasting up to two years, significantly reducing payouts.

Small claims limit raised: For road traffic accident-related injuries, the threshold for claiming legal costs has increased from £1,000 to £5,000. For other personal injury claims, the amount is now £1,500.

Online claims portal: Claimants must now use the Official Injury Claim portal for eligible cases, often without the assistance of a lawyer.

Impact on Claimants: If you suffer a minor injury—such as a fractured tooth or soft tissue damage—you may still be entitled to compensation. However:

- You may need to represent yourself in the small claims court.

- Legal fees are no longer recoverable for claims below the new threshold.

- Complex or disputed cases may require professional advice, even if costs aren’t reimbursed.

Criticism and Concerns:

- Access to justice may be restricted for vulnerable claimants.

- Employers and insurers may face less scrutiny over safety standards.

- The reforms are expected to save insurers over £1 billion, but critics argue this comes at the expense of fairness.

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Compensation Law Changes: What the Civil Liability Act Means for Claimants.
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Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

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