Member Article

Taylor&Emmet expert speaks up for whiplash victims

A personal injury specialist from Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet LLP is lobbying local MPs to highlight the impact proposed reforms to whiplash claims will have on their constituents.

Associate solicitor, John Green, has so far met with three Sheffield and North Derbyshire MPs to discuss the government’s plans to reduce legal support for road accident victims.

John’s first meeting was with independent representative for Sheffield Hallam, Jared O’Mara and he has subsequently sat down with Labour’s Sheffield Heeley MP, Louise Haigh and Conservative, Lee Rowley, who speaks for North East Derbyshire.

The Civil Liability Bill will attempt to curtail the compensation awarded for whiplash injuries and remove them from the current costs regime. This would mean road traffic accident victims wishing to make a claim would have to represent themselves in court or pay for legal assistance, including commissioning expensive medical reports.

John said: “I am very grateful to all three MPs for their time and for engaging in meaningful discussion with me about the Civil Liability Bill. Indeed, Mr O’Mara agreed to write to the justice secretary on my behalf. Despite their differing political affinities, they were all interested to hear why personal injury solicitors are so opposed to the reforms and how they will affect innocent victims of road traffic accidents.”

Taylor&Emmet conducted a series of Twitter polls canvasing public opinion on the Civil Liability Bill. The majority of respondents (83%) were opposed to or unaware of the reforms. The firm’s activities are in support of the Repair the Right Body campaign, being run by First4Lawyers. It is urging members of the public to tell their MPs that the government is wrong to prioritise damage to cars over injuries to people.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nina Sorby .