Claims company manager jailed

I found myself becoming “Mr Angry” this last fortnight. Some recent news stories have been about things that really affect my profession, threaten my business and sicken me to the core. I’ve attempted to chill out a bit before writing my next blog but I find myself angered again. I can’t help it, it’s what makes me get up in the morning and try to change things. It’s because I care.

So here is what has “got my goat” this week. This is an example of how my beautiful profession has been invaded by all and sundry who have been able to fill in a couple of forms on t’inter and get permission to peddle their vile business by the Ministry of Justice. A claims manager in Bolton, Asif Mallu, has been jailed for fraudulent personal injury claims.

Claims companies only exist because the Law Society had a late night meeting in the 90′s and as some committee members failed to turn up a vote was passed to allow referral fees to be paid by Solicitors to receive personal injury cases. And that was the body supposed to look after solicitor’s interests. The cat was out of the bag and here we now are. Once they made these cases a mere “commodity” this kind of behaviour became an inevitability.

Thankfully and belatedley the Government have now banned referral fees with effect from 1st April 2013 and this will end their existence. Or will it?

The claims companies are all right now trying to become ABS’s (Alternative Business Structures) to work around the new law. This means that instead of being involved on the periphery they will now be able to actually run cases. Be afraid…..be very afraid. 

I despair that in a profession that I entered just to look after innocent victims whose lives have been wrecked by the fault of others I now have to compete with claims companies who should not exist and don’t play by the same rules. The difference is they just want to make a quick buck for doing nothing and yes I am bloody angry about it.