South West: Compensation culture

Mike Fennell
Politics Show South West

Have you had an accident in the last three years? Have you contacted a solicitor on a no-win, no-fee basis?

Well if you have, you would not be alone.

A report this week commissioned by the insurance firm Norwich Union found that while three-quarters of people are worried about the impact of the compensation culture, a half said they would be willing to take advantage of it.

Dangerous sport - want to sue the organisers?

The cost though is met by all of us through higher insurance premiums , so high in fact that some businesses in the South West simply cannot afford them.

Rocketing costs

Several riding schools have been among the casualties.

Those that survive the large payouts are being forced to pass on the rocketing costs to their clients.

Captain Ted Moore at the Sunshine Riding Centre near Liskeard said: "I think that society generally has got much more litigious.

"I cannot remember years ago people suing because they fell off, trying to make negligence claims and that sort of thing, it was accepted that it was all part and parcel of the game, you couldn't ride and not fall off."

Other businesses feel the pinch

Publicans are responsible for accidents on their premises

According to Brian Harris, owner of several nightclubs in Paignton, the claims are getting more bizarre:.

"If you leave your coat on the floor and you get up and trip over it that is our fault for not picking it up."

Allan Manning found the pressure too much.

His roofing company in Paignton was paying £8,000 a year in public liability insurance.

Two years ago it went up without warning to £40,000. And last year it increased to £60,000.

Soon after the company's 25th anniversary it folded.

American influence?

South West Devon Conservative MP Gary Streeter believes the problem has been imported from America, but fuelled by the introduction of the "no win, no fee" system.

"I think one of the worrying trends is the adverts we all see on television now," he said.

"They say have you tripped over, have you been in a car accident, do you want to sue somebody and I think we need to do about that kind of advertisement.

"They are actually inciting people to sue, as opposed to informing people who want to find out where they can get help."

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