A poll conducted by YouGov found that only a quarter of people who have suffered an injury in an accident or through negligent medical treatment are likely to pursue a claim.

The other three quarters took the view their injuries were not serious enough to warrant bringing a claim, believed they would be unsuccessful or simply chose not to pursue the matter.

The idea there is a compensation culture out of control as put forward by the insurance industry and some politicians is simply not true. ~Ann Mahoney

This was down slightly from the figure in 2013 when the proportion willing to claim stood at 29%. Ann Mahoney, head of personal injury at M R Law comments: “These figures amply demonstrate that the idea there is a compensation culture out of control as put forward by the insurance industry and some politicians is simply not true.

People who suffer sometimes life-changing injuries through no fault of their own or when their medical treatment goes wrong need to know they can seek redress if they wish to do so.

The fact is a vast majority of people do not submit claims for various reasons. It is not and has never been the case of anyone suffering any kind of injury immediately contacting a lawyer to seek compensation. The quicker this myth is exploded the better so people are aware of the true picture.”