Justice Committee to Investigate Whiplash Reforms
The Justice Committee is beginning an inquiry into how whiplash injuries resulting from traffic accidents are processed following reforms in the legal framework introduced by the government.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the neck and upper back that can occur when your head is suddenly jolted backwards and forwards, typically in a car accident. Symptoms of whiplash can include pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
Whiplash Reforms
In 2021, the government introduced a number of reforms to the way whiplash claims are handled. These reforms included:
- Setting up an online claiming system, or portal, known as the Official Injury Claim Service (OIC).
- Requiring claimants to provide medical evidence of their injuries.
- Introducing a financial limit on claims.
The Justice Committee Inquiry
The Justice Committee’s inquiry will investigate the effects of the whiplash reforms, including any savings, and how the OIC portal operates. The inquiry will also consider whether the OIC ensures access to justice for everyone who may seek to make a claim.
Key Areas of Inquiry
The Justice Committee will consider the following key areas:
- The impact of the whiplash reforms on motorists and the wider tax-paying public.
- Whether the OIC ensures access to justice for everyone who may seek to make a claim.
- How effective is the OIC portal in settling claims for mixed injury claims, which cannot be settled using the fixed tariff awards.
Conclusion
The Justice Committee’s inquiry will play an important role in ensuring that the whiplash reforms are working as intended. The committee’s findings will help to inform future policy decisions on this important issue.
