COMPENSATION CLAIMS FOLLOWING ROAD ACCIDENTS - A 6-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 in jury 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 settlem ents were modest and late in relation to the losses suffered. Awards w ere largely used to make up financial losses. However, they failed to meet needs, especially the considerable early financial problems. Ther e was no evidence that subjects exaggerated their losses; many preferr ed not to claim or to settle early. There was no evidence that settlem ent was followed by significant change in clinical state. There was co nsiderable dissatisfaction with the procedures for obtaining compensat ion. Subjects were often more concerned with recognition of their dist ress and suffering than with the size of financial settlements. Seekin g compensation was not a major predictor of medical and social outcome .