header-logo header-logo

15 July 2020 / Ken Young
Issue: 7895 / Categories: Opinion , Covid-19 , Personal injury
printer mail-detail

COVID-19 & the impact on catastrophic personal injury claims

24295
Remote working should be embraced as a catalyst for change & the breaking of (bad) habits, says Ken Young

COVID-19 has clearly heavily impacted all aspects of society and claims for damages arising from catastrophic personal injuries have not been exempt. However, has it—in certain ways—provided an opportunity to pause, put our foot on the ball and look at the claims process and how that could be improved? What are the practical outcomes for future claims costs, handling and behaviours in this area?

Naturally the pandemic has affected the progress of claims, with courts closing, evidence gathering stalling (or impossible), and rehabilitation curtailed.

Generally speaking, that would result in longer claims cycles and increases in damages and costs. However, is that the inevitable outcome or are we already seeing signs of progress, new thinking and innovation to adapt to the changing environment? While still early days, there are some interesting themes developing.

The most serious cases generally require early, intensive, and hands-on rehabilitation. In many cases

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

NEWS
Pro bono is celebrating a silver anniversary, with initiatives putting businesses and students at the heart of access to justice
Choosing the wrong expert can cost a clinical negligence claimant more than their case
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
Police powers targeting concealed identities at protests come with procedural conditions that could determine whether prosecutions succeed
back-to-top-scroll