Compensation claims following road accidents: a six-year follow-up study

Systematic information was obtained on 96 subjects who were all those seeking compensation from a cohort of 172 consecutive road accident injury victims. Subjects were interviewed immediately after the accident, and again at three months and one year. Further telephone or postal information was obtained about compensation proceedings for up to six years. Compensation proceedings were often prolonged and final settlements were modest and late in relation to the losses suffered. Awards were largely used to make up financial losses. However, they failed to meet needs, especially the considerable early financial problems. There was no evidence that subjects exaggerated their losses; many preferred not to claim or to settle early. There was no evidence that settlement was followed by significant change in clinical state. There was considerable dissatisfaction with the procedures for obtaining compensation. Subjects were often more concerned with recognition of their distress and suffering than with the size of financial settlements. Seeking compensation was not a major predictor of medical and social outcome.