Injury lawyers attack the government
The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers has attacked the Ministry of Justice alleging that it is dragging its feet on a damages reform, a plan which promised to change damages surrounding personal injury issues.
The complaint comes two years later after the Government announced they were planning a major consultation on the matter.
The scheme stated it would look at compensation for wrongful death, medical bills and liability for psychiatric illnesses. However, it appears after two years the ministry has yet to respond on the findings made by the Law Commission.
President Amanda Steven said the firm at first supported the reform: “There was much in the paper which we supported and welcomed, such as discussion about claims for psychiatric illness. We also made robust arguments in relation to other issues about which I personally feel very passionate.”
However, now the ministry is delaying the process, the association quickly criticised their ethics: “These issues need to be addressed, and I find it unacceptable that this golden opportunity for the Government to grasp the nettle and really do something worthwhile for injured people has effectively been shelved for so long.”
Stevens concluded that the Government’s inaction is “frustrating.”
Updated on 06/05/2009