Accident claims disparaged by media?

Accident claims could be undermined by a media obsession with the so-called compensation culture, as Lord Young noted: "Disproportionate compensation claims … are a daily feature of our newspapers."

The Conservative peer responsible for the recent Common Sense, Common Safety report warned health and safety regulations are poorly regarded by the general public, potentially as a result of sensationalised stories or isolated incidents of disproportionate payments.

Such reporting could undermine genuine accident claims, leading people to doubt the legitimacy of compensation stemming from road traffic collisions or work injuries.

And more importantly, moral indignation stoked by newspaper coverage might discourage individuals from making a personal injury claim following an accident that was not their fault, for fear of being regarded as malingering.

This could be damaging to individuals who suffer financial repercussions after an incident as a result of income loss due to medical bills, care needs or sick leave.