Bit of industry news for you here, the Claims Council has alleged that certain members of the emergency services have been selling the personal details of accident victims to lawyers and claims management companies…
“The organisation, which represents 120 claims management firms, has alleged that police who attend accident scenes and hospital staff can receive significant fees for passing on the details of the injured to personal injury lawyers. Personal injury lawyers then cold call or blanket text those involved in the accident, encouraging them to make a claim.” The Metro
It’s worrying news for the rest of us in the whiplash compensation industry as public opinion is once again tainted by the actions of a few individuals. But it’s even more concerning for the victims who may have their details floating around in the ether since their, already traumatic, accident.
Members of the Police are alleged to have handed over victim details
Although it is perfectly legal for an individual to refer potential whiplash claims accidents to lawyers, it is illegal for those workers who are in charge of protecting personal data. This includes police and other civil servants who are in daily contact with personal information belonging to members of the public.
Speaking about the allegations, Andrew Wigmore, a Claims Council spokesman, said: “We are aware that police officers, nurses, doctors, ambulance men and women have sold details of accident victims to claims management companies.”
He went on to say: “Remember, for low-paid workers such as policemen and women, it is very tempting if you are offered between £50 and £100 just for personal details.”
Of course, it’s easy to understand why civil servants, who face pay cuts and job threats, may look for ways of bringing in additional income but using personal data to do so is bad for their peers and the claims industry.
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