BS: Cliam Culture

Subject: BS: Cliam Culture
From: GUEST,Belle McStravick
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 05:53 PM

Has anyone else noticed the claim culture we now live in ? Schools locally have stopped using the all weather pitches due to the high number of injury claims being brought against them. Very street around where I live has lost their paving stones and have now been replaced with ugly Tarmac, due to the high number of claims against the local council.I work as a nurse in a local Hospital and rarely a day goes by that someone doesn't come in after a fall and askes us for a report of their injuries so they can seek legal advice.Each evening on television we see No Win No Fee ads. Tonight I see over 5,000 Ex Northern Ireland Policemen want 300,000 pounds each for P.T.S. The Police Federation say the number of claims from the force could rise to 2,900 !Tonight Fire Brigade and Ambulance Unions in Northern Ireland say they await the outcome of the case as their members also which to pursue claims relating to the Troubles. As a nurse of 34 years I have seen it all and accepted it as the job I wished to do. If someone finds the career they choose too much, get out of it.The above were very well paid for the pursuance of their duties and what else did they expect ? So who comes out on the money grab next ? Teachers,Doctors or Undertakers. Enough is enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Peace
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 06:05 PM

So wot's your point now?

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: jacqui.c
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 06:33 PM

I worked as an injury claims clerk for a number of years and was quite aware of this problem.

Even the most minor injury following a car or industrial accident was cause for a claim. There was one clothing company that had a rash of injuries resulting from scratches by sewing machine needles, mostly around Christmas and holiday times. Because the injuries were minor scratches it was known by the union solicitors that no investigation would be made, but it all adds up, as do all these claims, to an increased cost of living for everyone.

There were. of course, genuine cases, and quite a number of them, but it was galling, when the gut reaction was that a claim was overstated/false and there was no economic way of proving it, to have to pay out not only an injury award but the solicitor's costs, which sometimes came to more than the claim award.

Even in the public services there will be genuine cases for compensation, but there does seem to be more of a blame culture nowadays. What I would like to know is who are these policemen suing and what negligence are they alledging? Anybody who joined the service after the start of the troubles must have been aware of what they were getting into and anyone joining any of these services should be prepared for the sort of situations they will face. Those of such a fragile disposition, so badly affected that they develop Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, should have been weeded out when they tried to join up.

This sounds more like a try on to see if they can get a payout to make the problem go away than a serious attempt to compensate for a recognised mental condition. I do find it difficult to believe that 5,000 ex policemen can all be suffering what are very severe symptoms, or that their claims would be worth anywhere near the amount being claimed.

What a waste of time and resources - this is going to cost someone, whatever the outcome, in legal fees.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: GUEST,Henry Haddock
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 08:07 PM

Just found this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thousands of 'traumatised' officers may sue RUC   


5:37:01 PM

Up to 3,500 police officers in Northern Ireland could be involved in a multi-million pound legal action seeking compensation for post traumatic stress disorder, it was claimed tonight.

With the first recruits to the new policing service about to be chosen, hundreds of officers who have quit the Royal Ulster Constabulary are among those who will be lodging claims against Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

They are claiming psychological damage because of the campaign of IRA and loyalist violence.

No date has been fixed for the start of the High Court action but representatives of the force's rank and file claimed up to 3,500 officers could be involved.

David McClurg, secretary of the Police Federation, which is spearheading the court action, said that much of the suffering of officers need never have happened.

''This is an illness that has been known for many many years. Had appropriate action been taken in respect of counselling and debriefing, then perhaps some of the medical consequences could have been avoided,'' he said.

The Federation's legal advisers have already forwarded papers of more than 600 cases to the Chief Constable's legal department and they believe that the total compensation bill could top £10 million.

A judge is expected to be appointed soon but it could be a number of years before the first of the cases is considered by the court.

Mr McClurg predicted a long battle to achieve compensation for officers who witnessed some of the most harrowing incidents of 30 years of terrorism.

The case began when the Federation circulated 22,000 letters with detailed questionnaires to former and serving officers.

Among those to come forward were officers who had direct experience of terrorist attacks and others who had to deal with the aftermath of some of the most bloody atrocities of the past three decades.

A significant proportion of those claiming compensation were medically discharged as a result of the trauma they suffered.

As well as the Federation's group action, a number of other officers are currently pursuing their own independent actions through the courts.

The Federation's lawyers are arguing that officers exposed to violence were not given adequate support from the force over the years.

Mr McClurg said the force had in the intervening years introduced measures to assist officers suffering from post traumatic stress, but it was too little too late.

''In the mid 1980s an occupational health unit was established. Services to this unit have increased over the years,'' he added.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: mack/misophist
Date: 07 Nov 05 - 09:19 PM

For what it's worth, a friend who was in a traffic accident says her doctor advised her to file a claim for injuries even though she had none. He argued that some soft tissue injuries aren't apparant until after the deadline for claims has expired. Otherwise, I'm in complete agreement with the poster.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Paul Burke
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 03:59 AM

What I want to know is, whose fault is this blame culture?

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Metchosin
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:13 AM

Oh gee, I thought this might be a thread on some obscure first nations band in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe a brief history of the potlatch.LOL.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:15 AM

What a bunch of frauds!

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Peace
Date: 08 Nov 05 - 04:32 PM

"What a bunch of frauds!"

Here's a picture of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: JennyO
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 06:43 AM

Those are fronds, Bruce, FRONDS :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 07:04 AM

How hard is it to check one's title spelling before one hits 'return'?

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Paul Burke
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 07:08 AM

"Cliam Cultuer" would be the correct Geordie spelling.

Subject: RE: BS: Cliam Culture
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 09 Nov 05 - 12:26 PM

My favourite - and I think this is hilarious given that the enzyme for processing lactose is limited pretty much to the western world - is:
http://www.milkmakesmesick.org. The milk conspiracy!