NHS: Ministry of Justice to crack down on ambulance chasing lawyers
A CRACKDOWN on ambulance chasing lawyers is set to be launched by the Government.
A crackdown on ambulance chasing lawyers is set to be launched by the Government
The Ministry of Justice is preparing to bring in legislation to cap the amount lawyers can charge a bid to reduce the number of claims.
A Whitehall insider said plans for a flat-rate fee would be announced before the end of the summer.
“This is one way the Government can disincentive lawyers to pursue cases by capping the amount they receive in fees,” the source said.
“These kinds of cases are draining many public services, including the NHS, which is why Government is committed to taking action.”
Last autumn it was revealed law firms charged a record £418 million after pursuing cases of medical blunders against the NHS.
The MoJ is preparing to bring in legislation to cap the amount lawyers can charge
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The bill, a 43 per cent rise on the previous year, would pay for 19,000 new nurses or 25,000 kidney transplants.
These kinds of cases are draining many public services
In June 2015 the then Health Minister Ben Gummer promised to cap the amounts law firms could charge in cases where damages were under £100,000.
He said some solicitors were “using patient claims to load grossly excessive costs on to the NHS”.
A consultation on the plan is due to begin before the end of the summer
He proposed lawyers would receive fixed costs depending on the damages they secured.
The new system was due to come into force last October but was held up by an outcry from lawyers and patients’ groups who said fixed costs would deny justice to those seeking important answers.
A consultation on the plan is due to begin before the end of the summer.